Greek, Turkish Leaders Set Unity Talks

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders said Friday they will start historic reunification talks on Sept. 3, ending years of deadlock and sparking hope that the island's 34-year division could finally end. President Dimitris Christofias, who is Greek Cypriot, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on the date after meeting in the buffer zone dividing the two communities. "The aim of the fully fledged negotiations is to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem which will safeguard fundamental and legitimate rights and interests of Greek and Turkish Cypriots," the two said in a joint statement read out by Taye-Brook Zerihoun, the United Nations' top official on the island. Any agreement that Messrs. Christofias and Talat might reach will be put to simultaneous referendums on both... [read full story]