LEFKOSA - Sides convened early on Thursday in ninth session of the Cyprus talks that aim to find solution of the Cyprus issue until May 1 on basis on Annan's plan.
The Turkish and Greek negotiating teams headed by Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot administration leader Tassos Papadopoulos convened at the Conference Center in Lefkosa's buffer zone at 9.30 a.m.
Denktas did not make any statement prior to the meeting.
U.N. Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto attends the talks as observer. United Nations Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Sir Kieran Prendergast who is paying a visit to Cyprus is also attending today's session. Prendergast participated also in yesterday's session.
During yesterday's session, the Turkish Cypriot side brought the issue of representation at the chairmanship council onto the agenda and presented alternative proposals but the Greek Cypriot side rejected them.
In today's meeting, the Turkish Cypriot side is expected to present its proposals about leadership council and central government's authorities in documents to the Greek Cypriot side.
Meanwhile, Greek Cypriots brought the issue of territory onto the agenda of yesterday's session and asked for handing over the areas that would be transferred to them after a three years of transition period in accordance with an agreement on Annan's plan, to the U.N. control beginning on the date of agreement and demanded autonomous authorities to be granted to the U.N. for administration of those areas. The Turkish Cypriot side did not accept it.
DENKTAS LEAVES FOR ANKARA
Denktas, who left for Turkey to address a conference and to have several meetings, stressed that there were several indications regarding his visit to Ankara noting they were not right. Denktas said he visited Ankara to convey recent situation on Cyprus upon the invitation of Ankara Chamber of Commerce.
Denktas said he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and that he would also meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer if possible.
Denktas said there was a gradually growing excitement in Anatolian people on Cyprus question whether or not Cyprus was turning into a Greek island.
Denying the allegations that he would withdraw from the negotiations, Denktas said everyday he got hundreds of letters and e-mails supporting him. He said his views on Annan's plan were known, and that they were in an effort to turn Annan's plan into an acceptable state.
Denktas said they tried to turn Annan's plan into a state forming an humanitarian formula providing continuation of equality of Turkish Cypriots, their rights and sovereignty, and Turkey's guarantor status and rights.
Denktas said, ''there is a situation as if we would open our doors and everything to Greek Cypriots, we would not have any borders, Turkish soldiers would leave the island in a short period, and we would take shelter in Greek Cypriot side. There is a situation more or less like this. We are trying to change those.''
Recalling that Turkey earlier told them that, ''we are trying to include sine quo non issues to Annan's plan'', Denktas said Turkey worked for this.
Denktas said the only message they would give the Turkish nation would be that, ''we are doing our best not to make Cyprus a Greek island.''
Denktas said they attributed importance to Turkish-Greek friendship but Greek Cypriot side had to show the same approach and should not forget what they had done to Turkish Cypriots from 1963 to 1974.
Underlining that Greek Cypriots should give up claiming that they were the legal government of Cyprus, Denktas said time limitation on the negotiations was a merciless restriction, stressing that necessary interest could not be shown to many important issues if the time was not extended.
Denktas pointed out that they would continue to struggle calmly and without haste, noting that they would succeed in this sensitive and importance process together with the Turkish government.
Stating that talks continued on Cyprus issue and that during today's talks they exchanged views on documents that had been given so far. Denktas said TRNC Prime Minister Talat and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas continued meeting after he left.
Denktas said they presented several other documents today summarizing what they had discussed so far.
Denktas is expected to return to the TRNC in the evening hours after completing his visit to Ankara.
(AA) 04.03.2004