LEFKOSA - United Nations (U.N.) Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Sir Kieran Prendergast came to Cyprus on Tuesday to hold consultations with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot side and to receive information about recent developments in Cyprus negotiations.
Prendergast told reporters that he would meet with TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos.
Noting that second phase of negotiations would probably start soon, Prendergast said that Turkey and Greece would participate in the second phase of Cyprus negotiations.
Prendergast added that if progress could not be recorded in Cyprus negotiations in the quartet conference to take place among TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan would shape up his plan and the plan would be voted in synchronous referenda in both sides.
U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Prendergast will firstly meet with Papadopoulos on Wednesday. He will meet with Denktas in dinner.
Prendergast had come to the island on March 2 and held separate meetings with Denktas and Papadopoulos. After his meetings, Prendergast had returned to New York and presented a report to Annan.
TRNC and Greek Cypriot side started negotiations on February 19 to find a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus issue till May 1 on the basis of Annan's plan.
If sides can't reach a settlement till March 22, quartet conference will start among TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece.
U.N. Secretary General Annan will fill in the blanks if participants can't reach any compromise in quartet meetings, and the text to be formed at the end of all these initiatives will be voted in referenda to be held synchronously in the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides on April 20.
(BRC) 16.03.2004