By Jean Christou
THE United States has a detailed peace scenario which will be given to the two sides during next month’s talks in New York, President Clerides confirmed yesterday in Istanbul.
But Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who is also in Istanbul, said he was unaware of any such roadmap and doubted that a third party proposal could help towards a solution.
Clerides and Denktash both had separate meetings yesterday with UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan. Both leaders also held press conferences — Clerides hours after his meeting with Annan, and Denktash before his scheduled 6pm meeting with the Secretary-general.
The meetings with Annan were held unexpectedly to discuss matters related to the UN- sponsored proximity talks to be held in New York on December 3.
Clerides told journalists that Annan was due to present the proposed US format to the two leaders when he meets each one separately in New York. “They (US officials) told us that they have a scenario covering all the problems of Cyprus which will be presented to both the community leaders for negotiations,” Clerides said. He said he could not give further details and US officials declined to comment.
Denktash, however, was scathing. “It’s a pity if Mr Clerides relies on such a thing,” he said during his subsequent news conference. “Any plan from any third party cannot bring a solution.”
Following Clerides’ 20-minute meeting with Annan early yesterday, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said the Secretary-general had made it clear he intends to conduct proximity talks on the substance of the Cyprus problem and he expects both sides to respond.
Denktash wants talks on his status which might lead to direct talks, but plans on tabling his idea of confederation as opposed to the widely sought federation.
President Clerides, who is in Istanbul to attend the summit meeting of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) — the first Cyprus president in Turkey since the island’s division in 1974 — told journalists the proximity talks differ from any previous talks because so many important parties are involved. He said the US is determined to bridge the gap between the two sides.
Commenting on Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit’s refusal to discuss the Cyprus issue with his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis on Thursday, Clerides implied that Ankara’s silence indicates it has put the entire responsibility on Denktash.
He said that whichever side proves to be the unwilling partner in New York will have to pay the political cost. “We will go to the talks with full intention to find a just and viable solution to the problem, a solution that will take into consideration the fears of both communities and lay down the foundations for prosperity and human rights,” Clerides said.
He stressed that security was very important. “You will not solve the Cyprus problem if you don’t have security,” he said. “Some arrangements need to be found”.
Addressing the OSCE conference earlier in the day, Clerides said a solution was urgently needed to benefit all of the island’s inhabitants. “A good solution which will heal the wounds of the past, remove suspicion and the sense of insecurity felt by both communities, dispelling fears and concerns and establishing a climate of trust, mutual understanding and co-operation is urgently needed and will be to the benefit of all the inhabitants of this divided island and long suffering country,” he said.
During his speech, Clerides also expressed Cyprus’ condolences to Turkey over recent earthquakes. He also praised the Turkish government for the excellent organisation of the conference and the generous hospitality accorded to the Cyprus delegation.
