Cyprus leader criticizes UN envoy for alleged bias, haste

The president of Cyprus on Sunday criticized a UN envoy for perceived bias and undue haste amid troubled talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided Mediterranean island.

President Nicos Anastasiades, a Greek Cypriot, said that he's "distraught" that UN envoy Espen Barth Eide appears to be adopting the positions of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots. He said Eide should grasp that "statements or threats" will produce results contrary to the goal of reunifying Cyprus as a federation.

"The less is said, especially on his [Eide's] part, the better," Anastasiades told reporters, adding that the UN envoy is too much "in a hurry."

The Cypriot president said did not want to pick a fight but "but I've repeatedly brought to his attention that he should be careful with whichever statements are made because they create distrust."

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said...