Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders staked out opening positions that were far apart today at the start of peace talks marred by a bomb outside the home of the Turkish Cypriot prime minister.
The percussion grenade outside pro-reunification Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat's home just hours before he took part in the talks shattered windows and damaged his front door but nobody was hurt.
UN officials said the attack had no effect on two hours of discussions that aim to unite the Greek and Turkish communities before the island joins the European Union on May 1st. "It was a very constructive session with ample goodwill and a business like spirit from the two sides," said UN envoy Mr Alvaro de Soto.
However, Greek Cypriot President Mr Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktash indicated how tough negotiations would be as they try to meet deadlines starting on March 22nd and leading up to April 21st referendums.
Mr Papadopoulos said that most issues raised for negotiation by the Turkish Cypriots conflicted with the UN plan. "My opinion is that most of them on the core issues fall short of the framework of the plan," he said.
Mr Denktash said he was already concerned about what impact reunification with the far wealthier Greek Cypriots would have on his northern enclave's economy. "The transition periods must include measures to protect our economy from destruction from the stronger economy of the south," he said.
Mr De Soto said the two leaders, who met at an abandoned airport compound used by UN peacekeepers for what has been billed as the best chance to end three decades of bitter division, would gather again tomorrow. He said they would meet daily for the foreseeable future.
The UN timetable calls for the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to negotiate until March 22nd, when Greece and Turkey are likely to join in until March 29th. The final plan would go to referendums in both parts of Cyprus on April 21st.
Failure to reach a deal will mean only the Greek Cypriot south joins the EU, and Turkey knows its efforts to start its own membership talks could hinge on the Cyprus peace process.
The UN plan involves turning Cyprus into a loose power-sharing federation as well as territory trade-offs, return of refugees and a gradual scaling down of Greek and Turkish forces on the heavily militarised Mediterranean island.
The division of Cyprus dates back to a Turkish invasion of the north of the island in 1974, sparked by a Greek Cypriot coup backed by the military junta then ruling Greece.