U.S. raps Denktash for Cyprus peace talks collapse

In a blow to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and a major setback for Turkey’s hopes of joining the EU, the talks mainly foundered on minority Turkish Cypriots’ opposition to land and population movements they were asked to make in the deal.
Cyprus has been partitioned since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, seizing the northern one-third of the island in response to a coup by Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece.
"We are deeply disappointed that the Secretary General’s discussions with the two leaders in the Hague did not result in an agreement to put, as planned, a referendum (to) both communities," Boucher said at his daily briefing.
Annan had called the two leaders to The Hague in a bid to get agreement on a deal on the table since last November.
He had hoped to persuade them to hold referendums on the plan on March 30 so that a united Cyprus could sign an April 16 accession treaty, a prelude to joining the European Union.
A deal was crucial for Turkey’s hopes of joining the EU as the Greek Cypriot part of the island will join the bloc in May 2004 with or without the Turkish Cypriot side. Without a deal, Turkey is in the position of not recognizing an EU member.