Cypriot Government Has Positive Approach to Peace Talks:SpokesmanThe government has a positive approach to its participation in the next round of the UN-sponsored proximity talks on Cyprus issue, a government spokesman said on Wednesday, November 29."We have no other way to solve the (Cyprus) problem except through talks," Michalis Papapetrou told local media. Papapetrou termed as "positive" remarks by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan about Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's statements on the talks. Denktash has said that he would not participate in the next round of the indirect talks unless his breakaway entity in northern Cyprus is recognized. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the northern third of the Mediterranean island following a failed coup by the Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece. The Turkish Cypriots declared in 1983 the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is recognized only by Ankara, to counter the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus. In his remarks on Tuesday in New York, Annan expressed hope that Denktash's position is not final. "I think we are at relatively early stages of the talks," Annan said. "We are in a process and I think what is important is the final outcome and I would urge him (Denktash) to stay with us and I am sure he will," Annan said. Five rounds of the proximity talks between Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash have been held since last December in an effort to find a settlement of the Cyprus issue. The sixth round of talks is expected to be held in Geneva next January. |
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