|
|
|
Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-05-18
CONTENTS
[01] UN Secretary General to call for direct talks
1145:CYPPRESS:01
[01] UN Secretary General to call for direct talks
Nicosia, May 18 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has expressed
his intention to invite President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot
leader, Rauf Denktash to direct talks, despite a general feeling that no
real progress has been achieved in proximity talks between the two sides.
Announcing his intentions to invite President Clerides and Denktash to
face-to-face negotiations, the UN Chief said he expects peace talks on
Cyprus to begin in New York in the second half of June.
He also said that both Clerides and Denktash had indicated their
willingness to talk.
The concerns of the Greek Cypriot side due to the fact that no common
ground has been reached in on-going UN-led proximity talks, were pointed
out by President Clerides to UN Under Secretary General Sir Kieran
Prendergast during his recent visit to the island.
Speaking to the press yesterday, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides
said the decision to call for direct talks rests in the hands of the UN
Secretary General and the government will abide by it, but noted that the
Turkish Cypriot side remains intransigent in its stance concerning a Cyprus
settlement.
CNA MCH/KN/1997
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
CNA END
|
