by Apostolis Zoupaniotis
United Nations, Feb 11 (CNA) -- The UN believes that anything is possible with regard to the Cyprus peace talks and would not rule out the possibility of seeing the Cyprus peace talks, currently underway in New York, continue at the UN seat, Spokesman Fred Eckhard has indicated.
Speaking at his daily noon briefing, the Spokesman appeared cautious as to the outcome of today's meeting between the Secretary General, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, pointing out that ''anything is possible.''
He also said that the fundamental principle at the talks is that the Secretary General would agree to anything the two sides agree to and hinted that this includes the methodology, the timetable, the filling of any gaps in an agreement by the UN and the issue of holding referenda.|
Eckhard was speaking as Kofi Annan, Papadopoulos and Denktash prepare for their second joint meeting in as many days, following Annan's invitation to the two leaders to go to New York for meetings with a view at resuming the stalled peace talks.
''This afternoon at 4.00 pm (New York time) Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders will meet again with the Secretary General to resume the discussions, which were adjourned late yesterday afternoon,'' Eckhard said.
The Spokesman dismissed press suggestions that the adjournment of the talks on Tuesday meant failure, saying that ''it is just a pause, so they are coming back today at 4.00 p.m. and let's see what happens.''
Asked if the talks will move to Cyprus or continue further at the UN, he replied, ''I think anything is possible, let's see how it goes this afternoon. If it goes well and the talks are then to move to the knots and bolts phase under Alvaro de Soto (Annan's special adviser on Cyprus) we'll have to see where they announce that next phase of discussions to take place.''
Invited to say whether the Secretary General has any conditions for continuing the Cyprus talks, Eckhard said he did not think that Annan has conditions other than his plan that is on the table.
He explained that the Secretary General has already said that ''should the two agree on changes to that plan, he is ready to make those changes. So it's really up to the sides to come up with a common platform for the referenda. That's what he is trying to facilitate.''
Annan has asked the two sides in Cyprus to agree to hold separate simultaneous referenda on an agreed settlement. The sides have indicated that a referendum can be held once there is an agreement.
''I wouldn't want to throw obstacles in the way of talks that are just getting underway. So let them talk, see if they can sort out their differences and see if Mr. de Soto can give you a readout after today's meetings,'' Eckhard added.
The Spokesman refrained from direct comment on whether the Secretary General would agree to changes relating to the methodology of the talks, the timetable or the requests that the points that are not agreed should be filled in by Annan and go to referenda.
''Let's not speculate about how things may proceed this afternoon and what changes either side might ask for. The basic principle is that anything the two sides agree to, the Secretary General would go along with,'' he added.
Asked if the UN expects the Cyprus talks will be concluded today, Eckhard said that was probably the Secretary General's preference.
''I don't think we can predict concretely that they'll end today. Let's wait and see how this afternoon session goes,'' he noted.
On the role of the three guarantor powers in Cyprus (the UK, Turkey and Greece) with regard to the talks, he said their representatives are in the wings of the talks and are prepared to help as required should the Secretary General ask for their help.
He said Annan is asking for their help and noted that the Secretary General is looking for ''pressure on the parties to negotiate seriously their differences and come to agreement that can be put to simultaneous referenda, the two sides of the island, by the 1st of May'', when Cyprus joins the European Union.
The Secretary General, Eckhard said, has asked the guarantor powers to be here for the talks so that he could interact with them and he has interacted with them.
He said this interaction took place prior to and very possibly after Tuesday's session of talks.
Replying to questions, he said that so far there are no private meetings scheduled between Annan and the two leaders.
CNA/AZ/MM/RG/2004
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
11/02/2004
