Rival leaders of Cyprus set for historic peace talks

Nicosia: Leaders of Cyprus's rival communities are preparing for reunification talks, seen as the best chance in years of ending the island's division.

Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias will begin formal negotiations today with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Both men say they are determined to end Cyprus's division, which has kept the island partitioned between Greek and Turkish Cypriots for 34 years. Their display of political will has raised hopes for a deal.

"For the first time, there are two moderate leftist leaders who are believed to be serious in their attempt to solve the problem," said Hubert Faustmann, professor of international relations at Nicosia University.

"Before, you always had at least one Cypriot spoiler."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded in response to a short-lived coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece.

Turkey keeps 35,000 troops in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north. Past peace efforts have repeatedly foundered on the same sticking points - power-sharing arrangements, property rights for displaced Greek Cypriots, the nature of a future federation and intervention rights for Turkey and Greece.

Sense of urgency

Today's meeting is expected to be largely ceremonial, but the talks have gained urgency because of concern that another failure could calcify the island's partition.

Talat says a deal is possible in the next nine months.