Annan Is Hopeful About Reaching Agreement On Basic Issues By End Of Year

NEW YORK - United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Thursday that he was hopeful about reaching an agreement on the basic issues at the meetings on Cyprus issue between the leaders by the end of year.
Annan who responded the questions of the reporters said that the leaders could surprise him.
Stating that the leaders would tell him the developments at today's meeting, Annan said that they would also discuss what they should do to accelerate the process.
Annan said that their target was to reach agreement on the basic issues by the end of year and added that he was hopeful about reaching this target.
He went on to say that but they would try other ways unless they reached agreement.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas received Thomas Weston, the special coordinator of the U.S. State Department for Cyprus at 5.00 p.m. at the hotel where he stays.
DENKTAS: ''TALKS WILL END IF EU TAKES CYPRUS, AND THE ISLAND WILL BE DIVIDED FOREVER''
Denktas of the Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said, ''I will say only one thing. If the European Union (EU) takes 'Cyprus' to the membership, the talks will end, and Cyprus will be divided forever.
Meeting between TRNC President Denktas and the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan started within the framework of the solution that would be found to Cyprus question. The meeting started at 19.30 local time, and is expected to last for half an hour.
The U.N. Secretary General earlier met leader of the Greek Cypriot side Glafcos Clerides.
Denktas, Annan and Clerides will meet at dinner at 20.00 local time.
The meetings will continue in the U.N. headquarters after 22.00 local time. The meetings are expected to last for 1,5 hours.