Cyprus talks cannot start before elections

LEFKOSA (AA) – U.S. State Department’s Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston said on Friday that they did not see possibility of resumption of negotiations before general elections that would take place in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on December 14.

Speaking at a news conference in the buffer zone in Lefkosa, Weston evaluated his meetings in TRNC and in Greek Cypriot side.

Weston said they mainly discussed elections, stressing that everybody focused on elections.

Reiterating that the United States supported resumption of negotiations under the basis of plan of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, Weston said that during his meetings in Greek Cypriot side, he had the impression that Greek Cypriots were determined to resume negotiations under the basis of Annan plan.

When a journalist asked whether an alternative plan was possible to the Annan plan, Weston said Annan plan was prepared in four years, and defended that another plan would not contribute to the solution.

Weston said that time was important in Cyprus question, stressing that talks should resume after elections, noting that the United States would respect results of elections.

Weston said that reaching a solution soon was important for them, and stressed that he was not offended with TRNC President Rauf Denktas.

"I was told Denktas needed some rest and so I took it at that. I enjoy our meetings, so I regret we didn’t meet. There are no hard feelings," Weston said.

When asked whether Annan plan could be changed, Weston said Annan plan could be changed with mutual agreement of both sides.

Replying a question whether or not they would recognize Northern Cyprus, Weston said that the United States did not think of this, stressing that he believed that everything could change in case Annan plan is accepted.