Stalemate In Cyprus As Third-Round Negotiations End

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

06 May 2002

As the third round of Cyprus peace talks drew to a close, the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders seemed no closer to a resolution, despite the fact that the June target date for an agreement is fast approaching.

According to reports in the local media, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash submitted a 19 page document to President Clerides outlining a series of proposals for the resolution of the dispute which he described as 'flexible', although holding firm to demands for the recognition of two states within Cyprus.

The New York based Security Council was reportedly briefed by UN envoy, Alvaro de Soto last week, and in the interests of speeding up the negotiation process and instilling in both sides a sense of urgency, is said to be considering giving Mr de Soto a more active role and greater powers to present his own suggestions on the issue, and to bridge differences between the two camps.

The Greek Premier, Costas Simitis also weighed into the fray at the conclusion of the third round of negotiations last week, blaming the Turkish Cypriot leader for not making any 'substantive proposals' during the talks, and warning the Turkish Cypriot community that they must be willing to work towards a resolution of the 28 year dispute.

'The discussion taking place under United Nations auspices is not being held merely to exchange views, so as to have an alibi that there is an exchange of views going on,' Premier Simitis was quoted in the Cyprus Weekly News as observing last week. 'It is a discussion that must lead to a solution.'

The talks are due to begin again on May 7, after the Orthodox Easter holiday.

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