Annan criticizes Denktash for Cyprus reunification talks failure

The talks between the two sides broke down last month.
"Except for a very few instances, Mr. Denktash by-and-large declined to engage in negotiations on the basis of give and take," Annan said in his 40-page report released to Cypriot leaders.
"This complicated my efforts to accommodate not only the legitimate concerns of principle, but also concrete and practical interests of the Turkish Cypriots," according to a copy of the report, which was obtained by The Associated Press.
The island split between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sections since Turkey invaded in 1974 after an abortive coup by supporters of union with Greece.
The breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Turkey, which keeps 40,000 troops there.
Denktash had no immediate comment, but Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said in Cyprus that it was "a great injustice to accuse Mr. Denktash only."
Greek Cypriot government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides welcomed the report, telling reporters that Greek Cyprus was ready to "resume talks with the Turkish Cypriot side on the basis of the reunification plan."
Annan’s report is expected to be discussed Monday by the U.N. Security Council.
Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos accepted Annan’s plan, but Denktash and the Turkish government rejected it. The plan envisages Cyprus as a single state consisting of one Greek and one Turkish Cypriot "component state" linked by a weak central government.
Denktash and Turkey have insisted on a settlement based on the "reality" created by the Turkish invasion.
Denktash opposed Annan’s plan primarily because it ruled out recognizing his breakaway Turkish Cypriot state while providing for Greek Cypriot refugees to return to Turkish Cypriot-controlled areas.

In his report, Annan said: "I was never able to convince Mr. Denktash that the ‘realities’ of the Cyprus problem are not only the realities on the ground, but the realities of international law and international politics."
Annan wanted his plan approved through separate referendums by late March, paving the way for the European Union to accept Cyprus’ membership as a united country on April 16.