Denktash Returns to Cyprus as Peace Talks Loom

His return means all the major players will be on the island for likely intense bargaining aimed at a February 28 deadline.
Denktash said the time constraints were artificial impositions but promised to negotiate on the peace plan, particularly planned exchanges of territory he says would threaten any peace on the Mediterranean island."This is contrary to the realities of Cyprus. We need time and we want to be given a chance to negotiate this document in good faith," he said in televised remarks before leaving Ankara. Cyprus has been partitioned since Turkey invaded in 1974 in response to a Greek Cypriot coup backed by the military junta then in Athens. Only Ankara, which keeps 30,000 troops on the island, recognizes the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Around 30,000 Turkish Cypriots held a rally on the island on Thursday calling for Denktash to quit, blaming him for blocking progress on the U.N. plan they hope could end international isolation and win them a place in the European Union.