Papadopulos-Denktas Tension Mounts Before Poll

Papadopulos expressed that he had no intention of meeting with Denktas, as he claimed it would give Denktas the opportunity to exploit the Cyprus issue for political gain.

He reiterated that resolving the property issue was still central to the Annan plan and that reservations on the issue should be overcome.

Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Minister Yorgo Yakovu yesterday stated that there would be no opportunity to restart the negotiations in the first three months of 2004.

Commenting on Rum leader Papadopulos’ remark ‘There will not be any agreement as long as Denktas is there. I do not talk to Denktas’, Denktas asked, "How can we reach an agreement if we do not talk? We opened the doors and said ‘let’s talk’, but they don’t’ because they are really scared."

Denktas had also offered to resolve the property issue by an exchange or damage method.