Why Did The Un Secy-general Come To Cyprus?
BY FERAI TINC HURRIYET – As soon as the current visit to Cyprus of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was announced, people began talking about it, particularly in the Greek Cypriot administration, which wants to move the process of the Cyprus talks outside UN parameters. Many Greek Cypriot politicians and observers see his visit to the island as supporting the Turkish side and particularly Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mehmet Ali Talat, who is up for reelection in April. I think the argument is unfair. Ban is the third secretary-general to visit Cyprus, following Kurt Waldheim and later Kofi Annan, who came to the island to support the peace proposal which was given his name, though it helped little. Ban’s visit also has the same aim, namely, supporting the process between the two leaders which has been continuing for many months. Furthermore, his visit has galvanized the talks, which were on the verge of collapse, and led to some progress, according to press reports. Looki
