Annan: There Have Been Encouraging Signals To Cyprus Plan

NEW YORK - U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Wednesday that early reactions to his plan aiming to find a solution to Cyprus question was encouraging.
Responding to the questions of journalists on his arrival to New York from Washington, Annan said, ''there have been encouraging signals or statements coming out of Ankara and Athens and other capitals, and also in Washington.''
Annan, who had demanded the leaders to give a response till November 18, pointed out that he has not yet received any response from the Turkish or the Greek Cypriot side.
Annan said, ''I did tell the two leaders not to rush, that they shouldn't give me a quick answer,'' he said. ''And so I wasn't expecting any immediate reaction from the leaders. But so far I am encouraged by the reactions.''
Annan's plan proposes a partnership between two equal component states under a common government, territorial arrangements, reduction of number of foreign soldiers on the island, and co-chairmanship of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides for three years.
The U.N. plan envisaged continuation of negotiations till February 28, following Copenhagen summit on December 12, and presentation of the final agreement to referendum of people on TRNC and Greek Cypriot side on March 30, 2003.