Military

DATE=2/10/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CYPRUS TALKS OPENER (L-O)

NUMBER=2-312963

BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: TALKS DUE TO BEGIN AT 4 P.M. ET. PLEASE WATCH FOR UPDATES ///

INTRO: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan is hosting Cyprus peace talks in hopes of reuniting the divided island before a May first European Union deadline. Peter Heinlein has details from U-N headquarters in New York.

TEXT: Secretary General Annan invited the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders to New York to try to revive reunification talks that broke down nearly a year ago.

There is little to indicate the two sides have patched up their complex dispute, but this time there is a difference. The international community is pushing them to reach a deal that would allow a united Cyprus to join the European Union May first.

U-N spokesman Fred Eckhard says this E-U deadline is driving the two sides to end their decades-long dispute.

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The objective of the negotiations would be to put a completed text to referenda in April 2004, in time for a reunited Cyprus to accede to the European Union on one May 2004.

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Secretary-General Annan is meeting individually with Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, then with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. Mr. Annan will then bring the two men in for face-to-face talks, with him acting as mediator.

On the eve of their meeting, both leaders predicted that success would depend on the goodwill and commitment of the other.

U-N diplomats are skeptical that the deep differences over Cyprus can be settled here in one day. Spokesman Eckhard says the best that can be hoped for is an agreement to continue the talks elsewhere at a later date, with U-N mediator Alvaro de Soto presiding.

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It's our assumption that following a single session with the Secretary General here in New York, the detailed negotiations could begin with Alvaro de Soto representing the Secretary General in a good offices function.

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Secretary General Annan has said he wants the talks completed by March 25th. After that, he would be given a free hand to fill in the blanks on all unresolved issues. The final agreement would then be put to separate referendums before the May first deadline.

Turkey is the only government that recognizes Mr. Denktash's Cypriot entity. The Greek Cypriot state is widely recognized, and will become an E-U member May first, regardless of the outcome of the U-N brokered talks.

Turkey is known to be pushing for an agreement, arguing that failure will further deepen Turkish Cyprus's isolation. It would also damage Ankara's chances of joining the European club. (SIGNED)

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