Turkish Cypriot leader says he will welcome appointment of US envoy

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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"The approach of the new U.S. administration toward Turkish Cypriots is very warm," the Anatolian Agency quoted Talat as telling reporters after his meeting with Clinton.  

Talat asked the United States to prevent Greek Cypriots from humiliating Turkish Cypriots in the international arena and to help lift the isolation of northern Cyprus, the agency reported.

Talat said he reiterated his view that there was an opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem by the end of 2009, adding that the United States asked northern Cyprus to maintain its stance backing a settlement in the island.

"The United States has very clearly showed its support to the solution process," Talat added.

Clinton is also expected to meet with Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou in Washington on Monday.

A high-level U.S. diplomat told the Anatolian Agency that it was not the right time to appoint a U.S. special envoy for Cyprus, adding the best solution would be achieved between the two Cypriot peoples.

"Time for this (appointment of a U.S. envoy) may come, but it is not the right time ... But we are not ignoring any alternative."

The diplomat said the United States was supporting Talat's constructive efforts for a settlement, adding his country was also backing the ongoing Cyprus negotiations to reunite the island under a a bi-zonal and bi-communal structure.

Relaunched in September after a four-year hiatus, Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and his Greek Cypriot counterpart, Demetris Christofias, have been involved in reunification talks aimed at reaching an agreement to end the island's decades-long division.

The talks mark the first major push for peace since the failure of a U.N. reunification plan in 2004, which was approved by Turkish Cypriots but overwhelmingly rejected by Greek Cypriots.

United Nations envoy Alexander Downer urged Greek and Turkish Cypriots earlier on Wednesday to seize the opportunity offered by talks to reunite their island but said time was working against a deal.