NEW YORK - United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan wanted peoples in Cyprus to give a final decision and said that he expected final answer from the leaders whom he would meet in the Hague on March 10.
Annan has invited Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and newly elected Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos to the Hague, Netherlands on March 10.
Annan who informed U.N. Security Council about his contacts in Ankara, Athens and Cyprus said that new Cyprus ''republic'' would be comprised of two founder states: Greek Cypriot state and Turkish Cypriot state.
Stating that he made proposals regarding security issue in Turkey and Greece, Annan said that it was a unique chance for peoples in the island.
Annan said that he asked for leaders to confirm that they would go to referendum on the agreement and added that he hoped the leaders would give peoples a chance to speak up on the issue.
He said he hoped that both leaders would come to the Hague and give their final answer regarding the issue.
Stating that Security Council extended great support to his efforts, Annan stressed that he expected both sides to give positive answer to him.
Annan said that if the answer were to be negative, then of course they could not move forward and added that it also would mean a ''united'' Cyprus would not be able to accede to the European Union on April 16.
(EÖ-AÖ) 05.03.2003