The United States on Friday welcomed a decision by rival Cypriot leaders to start direct talks on ending the island's 34-year-old division, saying it was prepared to support the leaders and the United Nations in the process. President Demetris Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on Friday scheduled direct talks in early September and decided that the results of their negotiations will be voted on by their two communities. “We applaud the U.N.'s announcement today that [the two leaders] have agreed to start direct negotiations on September 3 under U.N. auspices aimed at the reunification of Cyprus,” said Gonzalo Gallegos, a State Department spokesman. Washington “strongly supported” the talks aimed at finding an acceptable solution “that will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,” Gallegos said.
