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New president boosts bid for Cypriot reunification

International efforts to reunify Cyprus were set to take a step forward after communist party chief Demetris Christofias was elected president, vowing to renew contacts with the rival Turkish Cypriots.

"I offer a hand of friendship and cooperation to the Turkish Cypriots and their leadership. I urge them to work together with us for the common good of the people in a climate of peace," the Greek Cypriot told a victory rally late on Sunday.

Christofias, who will be the only communist head of state in the EU, was victorious in a second round run-off against conservative MEP and former foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

After his jubilant supporters partied the night away, the 61-year-old builder's son was due to start negotiations yesterday to form his government and was expected to be sworn in before parliament later in the week.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, head of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, called Christofias to congratulate him shortly after his win and the two have agreed to meet, an aide to Talat said.

However, no date or further details were given.

"We foresee a productive cooperation for the benefit of the two communities for a viable and just solution to the problem," Christofias said.

He had pledged during the election campaign to renew contacts with the Turkish Cypriots after negotiations stalled under incumbent president Tassos Papadopoulos, who was booted out by voters in a first round on Feb. 17.

Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since Turkish troops invaded in 1974 in response to a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at union with Greece. A UN peacekeeping force has been deployed on the island since communal unrest first broke in 1963.

The international community hoped for a revival of peace efforts post-Papadopoulos, who led Greek Cypriots in voting down a UN reunification plan that was overwhelmingly endorsed by Turkish Cypriots in referendums in April 2004.

One month later a divided island joined the EU and the failure of peace efforts has been a key stumbling block in Turkey's own efforts to join the bloc.

The Greek Cypriot administration in the south is Cyprus's internationally recognized government, while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized only by Ankara.

Christofias -- whose AKEL party has close ties to Moscow -- beat 59-year-old Kasoulides after winning the endorsement of three smaller parties that had backed Papadopoulos.

Local media reported that Christofias had promised the center-right DIKO party of Papadopoulos three ministries including foreign affairs and the socialist EDEK party two.

The deal could limit his freedom of maneuver on the Cyprus problem as the two centre parties historically take a far less flexible approach than either AKEL or the right-wing DISY.

"I hope he will be the man to solve Cyprus's problems, but it will be more difficult now because of the promises he has made to other parties to win their support," said student George Xinisteris, 21.
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