DATE=1/28/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / CYPRUS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258535
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A senior United Nations official says he
believes the improved climate between Greece and
Turkey will boost U-N efforts to try to resolve
the decades-long dispute over the divided island
of Cyprus. Lisa Schlein reports a new round of
peace talks on Cyprus begins Monday (January 31)
at U-N headquarters in Geneva.
TEXT: Negotiators hope this second round of so-
called proximity talks will keep up the momentum
achieved last month in New York. That was when,
after a two-year break, the Greek and Turkish
representatives in the Cyprus dispute re-opened
discussions about ways to end the island's
division.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish
troops invaded the northern third of the island
to prevent it from being united with Greece.
Over the years, numerous difficult and complex
negotiations have failed to reunite the island.
The United Nation's chief mediator, Alvaro
DeSoto, hopes this time will be different. He
says the improved political climate between
Greece and Turkey has played an important role in
getting these negotiations back on track.
/// DE SOTO ACT ///
With the improved climate in the region,
the (U-N) Secretary-General feels is
providing fertile ground for reaching
meaningful progress down the road.
/// END ACT ///
The talks will be headed by Turkish Cypriot
leader Rauf Denktash and his Greek Cypriot
counterpart, Glafcos Clerides.
But the two men will not talk directly to each
other. Under the format of the proximity talks,
each side will meet separately with a U-N
mediator present. The mediator will shuttle
between both delegations and report on what each
side has discussed.
/// OPT /// U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan will
preside over the talks, Monday. After his return
to New York on Tuesday, his deputy, Alvaro
DeSoto, will take over the Geneva mediation role.
/// END OPT ///
Mr. De Soto says he hopes the two parties will
focus on four core issues during this round.
/// 2ND DE SOTO ACT ///
These being security, the distribution of
powers, property including compensation for
property and also territory. Other issues
can also be raised by the parties at the
table. And, indeed they have done at New
York and we expect that they quite likely
will continue to do so in Geneva.
/// END ACT ///
The United Nations has put a blackout on the
substance of the talks. Both Turkey and Greece
are expected to send high-level envoys as
observers. Mr. De Soto says Greece and Turkey
are important in the proceedings and will be the
guarantors of any peace accord that might emerge.
He says the proximity talks, which are expected
to last for about two weeks, are being held to
prepare the ground for, what he calls, meaningful
negotiations leading to a comprehensive
settlement. (Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/KL
28-Jan-2000 12:35 PM EDT (28-Jan-2000 1735 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
