Annan Calls on Cypriots To Pressure Leaders

Before the talks, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, issued a statement in which he requested that all Cypriots pressure their leaders not to miss the historic opportunity to solve the issue. Annan expressed his hope that the negotiations would help produce a solution. By convening with the parties today, Annan will take the pulse of the group and try to measure out the possibilities for negotiation. Expectedly, both parties will conduct an intense tactical war so as not to be the side that runs away from the table.

Meanwhile, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President, Rauf Denktas, in a statement made from New York, complained that while Annan had not contacted him, Annan did have talks with Turkey, Greece and the Cypriot-Greek parties.

In an evaluation meeting with Turkish Resident U.N. Representative Ambassador, Umit Pamir, and other officials, Denktas revealed that Annan will determine whether or not to hold negotiations today and said: “I hope he determines affirmatively and that the talks are transferred to Lefkosa.” In a meeting with Cyprus Special Envoy, Alvara De Soto, and his team, Annan scanned through the negotiation schedule. Later, the Secretary-General briefed the U.N. Security Council on developments. De Soto then held a surprise meeting with Denktas at midnight.

U.N. Spokesman Fred Eckhard said he does not have any information about the mechanics of the talks; however, he added, “The Secretary-General will see where the leaders stand over the opening talks. He will see how flexible they are.” Diplomatic sources voice that Annan will wait for the parties to accept referendum conditions. The parties approach in prudence to the fill up of the gaps by Annan. In addition, both sides do not entertain Annan’s proposal for ‘unconditional negotiations’. According to U.S. sources, the White House does not support the Turkish side’s objections to the rule of conduct. However, in the event that this can be overcome, the U.S. administration would make efforts to look after Turkish viewpoints.

Meanwhile, the Greek press put forward yesterday that the U.S. did not support Turkey’s request to change the Annan plan. Annan will meet first with the Cypriot-Greek Leader, Tasos Papadopoulos, and then with Denktas. Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, Ugur Ziyal, who is to play a key role during the negotiations and the rest of the Greek delegation came to New York last evening. Papadopoulos was accompanied by the Speaker of the Parliament and communist AKEL party Secretary General, Dimitris Khristofias, Democratic Mobilization Party (DISI) Leader, Nikos Anastasiadis, Socialits EDEK Party Leader, Yannakis Omiru, Foreign Minister, Georges Yakovu, Administration Spokesman, Kipros Khrisostomidis, former Greek Administration Leader, Glafkos Klerides as well as officials Tasos Cennis and Tumazos Chelebis.

The U.S. Administration released a statement yesterday announcing hope for a reconciliation based on the Annan plan. U.S. State Department Spokesman, Richard Boucher, recalled that U.S. President George W. Bush promised to ‘do everything in his power’ to help reach a solution on the Island. Boucher said: “Both parties will talk first about procedure and what the next steps would be. We hope that progress based on the U.N. Secretary-General’s plan will pave the way to an agreement. We invite the parties to conduct negotiations seriously”. U.S. State Department Cyprus Special Coordinator, Thomas Weston, will be following the negotiations.

While these developments take place, reportedly, force commanders surprisingly made a recommendation to the General Staff, in particular, to take up the developments in the Cyprus issue.