DATE=1/31/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / CYPRUS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258624
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
says he hopes a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus can
be achieved this year. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports
the secretary general made the comment after he opened
a new round of peace talks on the divided island of
Cyprus.
TEXT: U-N Secretary-General Annan held separate
meetings in Geneva with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot
leaders.
Mr. Annan calls the meetings very useful. He says he
hopes the talks will be able to build on the
foundation achieved during talks last month in New
York. He acknowledges it will not be easy, but he
believes discussions are moving in the right
direction.
/// ANNAN ACT ONE ///
We are looking at a process that is likely to
be complex and difficult. We are hoping to work
in earnest with the parties on a continuous
basis in the coming months toward the goal of
comprehensive settlement.
/// END ACT ///
This is the latest in a long series of failed efforts
by the United Nations to reunify the divided island of
Cyprus. Turkey invaded the northern part of Cyprus in
1974 to prevent the island from being unified with
Greece.
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash refuses to
negotiate face-to-face with Greek Cypriot president
Glafcos Clerides. He wants the Greek Cypriot leader
to acknowledge the legitimacy of his Turkish-Cypriot
government before he enters into direct talks. This
is something Mr. Clerides refuses to do.
Mr. Denktash's insistence on recognition of his
government is seen as the main obstacle to ending the
25-year dispute.
Mr. Annan says the two sides are discussing four
issues -- security, compensation for lost property,
and the distribution of power and territory in a
proposed confederation of the new communities. The
secretary general says other issues also will be
discussed.
/// ANNAN ACT TWO ///
We are working toward a comprehensive settlement
in the course of the year. It's a hope. And, I
hope that I think we can achieve it if we all
work hard enough and come into the discussions
with a spirit of give and take and the right
mood to compromise.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Annan says he believes the improved relations
between Turkey and Greece is a positive factor and
will help efforts to find a solution. He says he
expects the two sides to meet again in a few months to
continue their search for peace. (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/KL
31-Jan-2000 10:47 AM EDT (31-Jan-2000 1547 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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