LEFKOSA - U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan came together with President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), outgoing Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides and newly-elected Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos at a U.N. compound in Lefkosa's U.N.-manned buffer zone on Friday.
Sending Annan's plan directly to referendum even if the leaders won't reach an agreement is on the agenda of the meeting.
Annan who requested at Thursday's meeting the two leaders to give their response verbally today, invited them to The Hague on March 10, and he asked them to state whether or not they would accept referendum even if an agreement is not signed.
Leaders will explain their opinions about referendum to Annan at the meeting.
A statement is expected to be released after the meeting.
TRNC President Denktas said yesterday that sending the plan to referendum without an agreement and by ignoring the TRNC authorities was an approach which directly targeted the Turkish side, and there could not be referendum without an agreement.
Meanwhile, U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus press spokesmen Brian Kelly announced that Annan would leave the island in the afternoon. He added that Annan's visit to Cairo was cancelled.
(MS-BRC) 28.02.2003