Tripartite Talks Start In U.N.

NEW YORK - Tripartite Cyprus talks in started at 23.35 Turkish local time in the U.N. headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas, Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas participated in the meeting.
Greek Cypriot administration delegation included Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos as well as former Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides.
U.N. delegation included Secretary General Kofi Annan, his special envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto and Undersecretary-General Kieran Prendergast.
Diplomatic sources in the U.N. stated that they hoped the meeting would not last long.
In case the sides reach compromise, Annan is foreseen to issue a statement and announce that the talks would continue in Cyprus starting as of next week. The talks would be carried out under leadership of De Soto in case the talks continue in Cyprus.
(AY) 11.02.2004