New peace talks begin on Cyprus

Following six months of preparations, official negotiations between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides on Cyprus for a comprehensive settlement on the long-divided island began yesterday. Turkish Republic of Northern Cypriot (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Hristofyas met at the residence of Taye-Brook Zerihoun, the UN secretary-general's Cyprus mission chief, in the buffer zone in Lefkosha. Also present at the gathering was UN Special Envoy to Cyprus Alexander Downer. Following the three-hour talks, Downer told reporters that the leaders would meet again next Thursday to discuss power-sharing and administrative issues.