Cyprus-Forum.com

by **CBBB** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:59 am

Published: 2/26/2009
BY FERAI TINC
HURRIYET- Something interesting has happened. After US President Barack Obama replied to a letter of congratulations from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat, Senator Richard Durbin arrived in the region. Durbin is a Democrat, and an Illinois senator, like Obama was until recently, which means he's from circles close to Obama. He came to the region to hold contacts in Cyprus, Athens, Ankara and Istanbul. The Obama administration's first contact with Turkey is starting with the Cyprus issue.

The senator's visit isn't as high level as that of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or Vice President Joe Biden, but it's a serious testing of the waters, in other words, a serious initiative on Cyprus. He said he would tell Obama what he heard and saw during his visit, and he asked questions at every stop. Would a solution to the Cyprus issue improve the Turkish Cypriots' economic situation? What is Turkey's role? What effect do immigrants from Turkey have on Cyprus? After a solution is found, how many will leave and how many will stay? Is a solution possible? I concluded from Durbin's contacts and from what I heard that Washington is ready to play a role in the Cyprus peace talks. Durbin previously said that the US had no special proposals, but that if the two presidents on the island agreed, it would help with the Cyprus talks. I think this clearly shows his intention. In addition, in his letter to Talat, Obama conveyed his desire to work in cooperation, peace and friendship in order to create a safer world.

Solving the Cyprus is clearly one of the Obama administration's foreign policy priorities. There's a clear reason for this. The new administration places importance on putting Turkey's relations with the European Union back on track. Obama and Biden, and Hillary Clinton as well, have often mentioned the importance of a Turkey oriented towards Europe, one which hasn't lost its EU vision. Among the reasons for his visit, Durbin also cited the importance placed by the Obama administration on security in the region. Turkey keeping its EU vision and a solution to the Cyprus issue are considered guarantees of regional stability. Relatedly, EU-NATO relations were also dealt with by Durbin. The biggest obstacle to cooperation between NATO and the EU is Turkey's veto over Cyprus. The US asked Turkey to end this veto a couple of days ago.

The Cyprus talks are now going under the radar. But the process might pick up this summer, following elections in both the TRNC and Turkey. According to closed-door sources, the parties have laid out their positions, but later conciliatory suggestions might be made to them, and the US will use its influence to make sure the leaders don't reject these suggestions. Cyprus might see important changes by the end of the year or the beginning of next year.

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