‘Annan launches a new bid in Cyprus dispute’

Fileleftheros reported that Annan planned to send Deputy Under-Secretary Kieran Prendergast who is in charge of political affairs.

The daily described Prendergast as highly trusted by Annan and said; "Prendergast will look for the golden formula on behalf of Annan." Both the Greek government and the Greek Cypriot administration on the south of the island knew about Annan’s plan, but the Turkish and the Turkish Cypriot side are not informed as yet, the daily said.

Another Greek Cypriot daily, Alithia, said Annan’s intentions were expected after the New Year. "Prendergast is coming to the island to observe both sides’ intent. The ball is in both courts from now on," it said.

Neither Turkish Cypriot officials nor Turkish officials were immediately available for comment.

Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos said they should not be considered as "objectors" since Greek Cypriots rejected in an April referenda a United Nations blueprint aimed at reunification of the island, the Anatolia news agency said.

Papadopoulos, speaking at a conference in New York, said the Greek Cypriot people did not reject a solution for Cyprus dispute by saying "no" to the U.N. blueprint. "They rejected Annan’s plan because it did not bring reunification, but perpetuated the discriminatory idea," he was quoted as saying by the news agency.

Papadopoulos said they were looking for a federal solution with two regions and two societies, which will not bring a permanent discrimination to society and institutions. He added they were under a commitment to the issue.

Papadopoulos is expected to meet Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt in Belgium today, the agency said.