MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen comments on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s visit to Cyprus. A summary of his column is as follows:
Can any result be expected from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s visit to Cyprus set to begin today and his meetings with leaders from both sides?
Before the visit, the head of the international body gave correct signals that his visit would not yield a ‘miracle,’ but rather he would give a ‘message of hope.’
Of course, no one can expect Annan to produce an agreement on the island which has been unable to reach one during 31 meetings over the last four months. However, the visit at least gives a ‘hope.’ If he doesn’t believe that his visit would save the talks from a dead end, and give a momentum to the dialogue, he wouldn’t have come to the island.
As for the Turkish side, this visit has some positive aspects. First of all, the secretary-general’s visit to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas at his office by proceeding to the Turkish side for the first time and calling him ‘His Excellence’ shows that principle of equality on which the Turkish side has been very sensitive has been taken into consideration. In addition to that, it is an opportunity for Denktas to tell Annan directly about Turkish side’s 20-page proposal which was given to Clerides on April 29.
On the other hand, it is clear that Annan will ask the Turkish side to be more flexible and to make some concessions. Meanwhile, the Greek side also claims that Clerides will be under same pressure.
Annan reportedly will not propose a written plan, but he is expected to propose a series of offers or views for a settlement.
If following Annan’s contacts a way can be found to save the talks from a bottleneck, some progress may be achieved in the coming days, and even a ‘pre-agreement’ could be reached. Thus, the target settled at the beginning of the dialogue for reaching an agreement in June may be achieved after all.
But if the visit isn’t successful in revitalizing the talks, the direct talks process will be in danger. Because this time both sides will deduce that a common basis is lacking.
To quit the process of seeking a solution would serve neither the Turkish nor the Greek side in this critical situation. If Annan can leave the island having put the process of dialogue back on track, he will have accomplished a difficult mission.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION