Annan expresses optimism about outcome of Hague meeting

The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, voiced optimism yesterday that a solution of the Cyprus problem was still within reach, and urged the leaders of the two communities on the island "not to be close-minded, to undertake very serious and constructive consultations with their own people, with the two motherlands, and come to The Hague in a constructive mood."

Less than a week before his meeting with President Papadopoulos and Mr Rauf Denktash, on 10 March at The Hague, the UN Chief noted, "I think this is a unique opportunity for the people of the island, and all that we are asking the leaders to do is to come to The Hague and to confirm to us that they are prepared to put the basic agreement to referenda and to let the people decide. And I hope that when we meet in The Hague, they will come prepared, as I have suggested to them, that they undertake all the internal consultations in the meantime and come ready to give me a definite answer."

Mr Annan, who was speaking yesterday to the press after his closed-door briefing to the UN Security Council on his trip to Cyprus and the region last week, expressed hope that the two leaders would go to The Hague with a positive answer. Asked about the possibility of a negative response to his request for separate simultaneous referenda on 30 March, Mr Annan replied, "then of course we cannot move forward", adding that it would also mean that "a united Cyprus will not be able to accede to the European Union on the 16th of April."

"The deadlines we have set are real and genuine - it is not artificial… If they do not have the referendum on 30th of March, I don't see how they can get into the EU jointly on the 16th", he stressed, warning at the same time that "if they were to turn it [request for referenda] down, we will have to draw the consequences."

Mr Annan told reporters that the Security Council was very supportive of his initiatives in Cyprus. He also said that he brought them up-to-date on his discussions on the island and the prospects for the Hague meeting, also outlining some points in his second revised plan, namely, "that we now have a name, a new Cyprus Republic, which will be a federation made up of two constituent states, the Greek Cypriot State and the Turkish Cypriot State - and also the fact that we have made some suggestions for the security arrangements between the Greeks and Turkey."

He reiterated his view that if the current opportunity for finding a settlement was missed, it would be uncertain when another one would come around again, if ever. He also emphasised that the Cyprus problem was solvable, "but what is required is political will and determination to make it happen and I know that the leaders can summon the wisdom and the courage to let it happen."

"The people would want to see a settlement; the people would want to see a united Cyprus enter the European Union and I hope the leaders will give them a chance to speak up and not deprive them of a voice," Mr Annan added.

The UN Secretary-General had asked the two leaders, during his visit to Cyprus last week, to meet with him in The Hague on 10 March, with a view to telling him whether or not they would sign a commitment to submit the Foundation Agreement to approval, at separate simultaneous referenda on 30 March, in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, the British Permanent Representative to the UN, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, made the following statement to the press yesterday immediately after the Security Council was briefed by the Secretary-General on Cyprus:

"The Secretary General has just briefed the Security Council on the fate of his mission on Cyprus and brought it up to date on where he's got to, which is very important for the Council. This is a topic on which an enormous amount of effort has been spent for a very good cause of trying at last end this very old dispute.

His negotiation of the settlement process has been extremely skilful. The Council is recognizing that. The United Kingdom fully supports his efforts to bring together the two leaderships in The Hague on 10 March to get them to agree to putting the Annan III proposal, as that called, to referenda on the island on the 31st of March. That is an extremely important juncture because it is now time for the people of Cyprus to have their say.

The members of the council that have spoken so far have very warmly supported the Secretary General's efforts. I am sure that is going to be a unanimous view. He is putting an enormous amount of hard work and it is now time for the two leaderships and the UK puts out this call to both of them, to agree to put these proposals to referenda at the end of March, so that the people of Cyprus can express their view on what is an extremely important issue for their long term future. So the UK is fully behind these proposals."

Invited to say whether the Secretary-General's mandate on Cyprus would end in case that one of the parties replied negatively at The Hague, the British UN Representative noted, "That's for the Secretary General to say, but he has clearly indicated that this current phase, which is a unique opportunity will come to an end. When he uses the words unique opportunity I think he means such an opportunity will not come back again, so this is a crunch point for the peoples of Cyprus."

The British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, made reference, yesterday before the House of Lords, to Britain's offer to cede part of its Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus in the case of a solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the second revised Annan plan.

Answering a question posed by Lord Hughes of Woodside on the British government's action in securing a settlement in Cyprus, the Baroness said that "the UK has supported the UN throughout this process and has welcomed the balanced and comprehensive settlement proposals tabled by the Secretary-General".

She further said that the British offer was made in an attempt to help bridge the gap between the two Cyprus sides' demands on territorial readjustments, which was a key issue for both sides at the negotiating table.

"The offer consists of 45 square miles - just under half of the total area of the SBAs. This makes up 1.2 per cent of the area of the new state of affairs in Cyprus. The areas involved would bring a number of Cypriots living near Limassol, and in the Dhekelia sovereign base area, within the administration of their respective constituent state. It will also open up areas of coastline for possible development. The areas involved do not contain military infrastructure, and this offer will not have an adverse impact on the functioning of the SBAs. The offer would only become valid if there were agreement by both sides to the UN's proposals. And, of course, legislation would be introduced to bring the transfer of territory into operation. In the event that either side in Cyprus rejects the proposals, or the proposals are rejected in a referendum by either side, the offer, along with the rest of the UN proposals, will become null and void", Baroness Symons said.

In concluding her response, she said that the British government urged both sides "not to let this historic opportunity to heal the division of Cyprus slip away, and to go the last mile to conclude negotiations and secure the settlement."

The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, expressed the hope that there was still room for some changes on the second revised Annan plan, which had been raised by the Greek Cypriot side at the negotiating table.

Speaking yesterday after a meeting with the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto, the Cyprus President and interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot side said that he and Mr De Soto had discussed various aspects of the new revised plan and that they would meet again today at 4:00 p.m.

At the meeting, President Papadopoulos was accompanied by the members of the Greek Cypriot negotiating team at the UN-led peace talks.

Turkish Cypriots discuss crucial vote
By Jean Christou
THE TURKISH Cypriot 'parliament' met yesterday behind closed doors ahead of a crucial vote on Friday on whether to take the UN plan for a Cyprus solution to referendum.

The meeting was being held in occupied Nicosia as Brussels brought pressure on Ankara by saying that the accession of a divided Cyprus would affects its chances of starting negotiations with the EU in 2005.

UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan has asked the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to travel to The Hague on Monday to give him an answer on whether they are willing to hold separate referendums on March 30 on the third version of his plan. Greece and Turkey will also be obliged to sign the document committing each side to holding referendums.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is opposed to holding a referendum because he said his people do not understand the full implications of the Annan plan, and also because agreeing to a referendum implies agreement to the plan itself. He said if the plan were to be submitted to the people it would have to be accepted first.

Reports from the north yesterday suggested that four out of the five Turkish Cypriot parties would support the holding of a referendum. Only the ruling centre-right National Unity Party (UBP) of 'prime minister' Dervis Eroglu is opposed to it.

However the reports said that several members of the UBP had expressed support for a referendum, despite the opposition of their leadership and of Denktash. The UBP holds 24 of the 48 seats in 'parliament', so it would take very little UBP support to carry the vote in favour of a referendum.

Ordinary Turkish Cypriots also want the chance to vote in a referendum and have been staging demonstrations in the north to press Denktash to sign or quit. Yesterday around 2,500 people gathered outside 'parliament' to demonstrate in favour.

Denktash, who will travel to Ankara today, said the Turkish government was obliged to support the signature Annan wanted from the Turkish Cypriot side. "Will Turkey go to The Hague and sign? Can it sign?" he asked, adding that pressure was being exerted by the UN. "This much pressure and rush is unbelievable," he was quoted as saying yesterday.

He said he had written a letter to Annan asking whether he wanted the two leaders to go to The Hague irrespective of their answers. "There is no meaning in going to The Hague in order to say 'no' to conducting a referendum on March 30," he added.

Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said yesterday that the National Council is unlikely to take a final decision when it meets today.

He said a meeting yesterday afternoon between President Tassos Papadopoulos, who will travel to Athens tomorrow, and UN special envoy Alvaro de Soto aimed at "investigating the possibility of further negotiating issues regarding the UN plan's functionality".

He said the President's visit to Greece would be a continuation of last week's talks in the Greek capital between Papadopoulos and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

"I am certain that there will be a complete discussion of all the issues. In any case, our accession course has been officially declared by the EU and by the Greek government... it is a simultaneous procedure completely independent from a Cyprus settlement", he added.

Former President Glafcos Clerides has also been invited to participate in today's National Council meeting, Chrysostomides said.
CYPRUS MAIL 05/03/2003

EU prepares for donors' conference

By Sofia Kannas

THE EUROPEAN Commission has pencilled in March 21 for a preparatory donors' conference for a post-settlement Cyprus, assuming both sides agree on Monday to hold simultaneous March 30 referendums on the UN settlement plan.

EU delegation spokesman Nicholas Karides said yesterday such donor conferences had successfully been organised by the Commission before.

"The last donor conference in which the Commission was involved was held in Brussels on March 12, 2002 for the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

"What happened in the case of FYROM was that the Commission set up a joint office with the World Bank, and co-operated in arranging the conference.

"The conference involved presentations elaborating the needs of the country, and statements by prospective donors explaining how they planned to use the money they pledged."

Karides said it was still too early to say how much might be raised for Cyprus at such a conference.

"The Commission pledged 104 million euros to FYROM at last year's conference… I know the Commission has set aside 206 million euros for the north in the event of a settlement, to be spent over the years 2004-6. But this amount will be separate from whatever is raised at a donors' conference. This was decided in January last year and endorsed by the Copenhagen European Council. This 206 million will be used primarily to upgrade the northern part of the island to bring it up to the same level of development as in the south."

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday, a source in Brussels confirmed the Commission was awaiting Monday's meeting in The Hague before finalising preparations for a preparatory conference on March 21.

"We are waiting to see what happens on Monday and if it all goes well we will begin sending invitations out to potential donors."

Asked who would be receiving invitations to the preparatory conference, which is set to be held in Brussels, the source said invites would be sent to countries and organisations that had already expressed an interest in participating in a donors' conference for Cyprus.

"We will be sending out invitations to all EU member states, plus the embassies of Australia, the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, Japan and Switzerland. We will also send ones to organisations such as the World Bank, the Council of Europe and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

"If the result at The Hague on Monday is positive, then we will also begin preparations for the real conference which would take place in Brussels in May."
CYPRUS MAIL 07/03/2003

Simitis not looking for a Yes or No

By George Psyllides

ACHIEVING a deal on the Cyprus problem that guarantees peace, co-operation and security in the region rather than saying 'Yes' or 'No' is the aim of the Greek Cypriot side's attendance at a UN-sponsored meeting on the Hague on Monday, Greek prime minister Cotas Simitis said yesterday.

He was speaking after a three-hour meeting in Athens with President Tassos Papadopoulos, which dealt primarily with the United Nations Secretary-general Kofi Annan's proposal to put his peace plan to separate simultaneous referendums on both sides of the divide on March 30.

Annan has invited the two sides to The Hague on Monday to tell him whether or not they agree to put his plan to the two communities to decide.

After a meeting with the Turkish leadership yesterday, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash meanwhile reiterated his stance that he would reject Annan's latest plan and will ask for broad changes to it during Monday's meeting. He did not, however, say whether or not this meant he was rejecting the referendum.

Simitis said his meeting with Papadopoulos, which overran by two hours, had been constructive with the Greek and Cypriot sides arriving at common conclusions.

The Greek Prime Minister however suggested there should be a discussion in The Hague.

"Because we are not asked and no one is asked to express oneself in one word, it is proper for a discussion to take place.

"What we are interested in is not to say yes or no but to achieve something that would guarantee peace, co-operation and security in the region," Simitis said.

"Our position is, and remains, that we want negotiations to be held, in an effort to improve the provisions of the Annan plan. This does not mean re-negotiating all the provisions of the plan, but only those which will make it functional and therefore viable," Papadopoulos said.

Denktash, after talks with the Turkish leadership, told the Turkish parliament that the plan was "unbalanced and unjust".

"The Secretary-general, presumably so he didn't go home empty handed, said come to The Hague even if you are going to say no," Denktash said.

He added: "That is how we will go to The Hague, but we will go strengthened as a result of the talks in Ankara.

"We go with goodwill and we will seek ways to change this plan; God willing we will find them," the Turkish Cypriot leader said.

His comments were echoed by Turkish presidential spokesman Tacan Ildem, who told a news conference that the Annan plan, in its current state, was far from meeting the expectations of the Turkish side.

Concerning the referendums, Ildem said it was something that the two sides on the island must address "through their own democratic and constitutional structures".

But it is highly likely that Denktash's views will fall on deaf ears as Annan has clearly asked the two sides to reply on whether they agree to hold separate referendums on his plan and not to tell him if they reject it or not.

And comments made by his special envoy, Alvaro de Soto, during a TV interview last night, seemed to dispel any possibility of major changes to the plan.

"The Secretary-general was very clear; it is unlikely there would be a possibility of improving in a significant way the plan they have," de Soto said.

"Furthermore, the time to do so has practically run out and perfectionism at this stage would not lead us anywhere," he added.

In what was a clear warning to the two sides, de Soto said that Annan hoped and expected that they would say yes to his proposal.

"It is difficult to imagine that they would stand in the way of the people taking the decision," de Soto said.

He added: "We feel that the people who have been waiting so patiently on both sides earned the right, have earned the prize of being able to say what they think."

"And they should know that it is not really so much a choice between this plan and a better plan as a choice between this plan and possibly no plan at all for an unpredictable period of time," de Soto.

But Simitis last night blamed Denktash for the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and indirectly warned Turkey that its EU bid could be jeopardised if there was no solution in Cyprus.

Denktash's stance not only leads to the "total isolation of the Turkish Cypriot side but in general undermines Turkey's EU accession course," Simitis said.

"Although he said he would travel to The Hague, he is so far intransigent, ignores the dynamic mobilisations in the Turkish Cypriot community in favour of a solution and accession to the EU, ignores the clear will to solve the problem, the clear will throughout the island and the international community," he added.
CYPRUS MAIL 07/03/2003