Third round crucial, says Papapetrou

THE THIRD round of UN-led proximity talks due to take place in New York next month is "especially important", the government said yesterday.

Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said the third round was important because it would reveal the future of the talks process.

Two rounds of proximity talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, have already taken place, the first in New York in December and the second in Geneva last month.

Papapetrou said the government had other scenarios in mind if ever the talks were to break down.

"We will be taking part in the third round, but not taking part in talks with no meaning just to give Denktash an opportunity to give an excuse for the invasion," Papapetrou said.

Denktash has put the issue of recognition of his breakaway regime on the table at the UN-led proximity talks. His proposal for a solution is the establishment of a confederation of two ‘states’, as opposed to the bicommunal, bizonal federation sought by the Greek Cypriot side and the international community.

In an interview published in Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kibris yesterday, Denktash said the international community expected both sides to go to the third round with concrete proposals.

"The Cyprus cause is about what could be done on confederation and two state basis," he said. "They want to see how such an establishment will function. Naturally we are preparing these."

Denktash said the Greek Cypriot side wanted cantons in the Karpass peninsula, but he could not see how this would be possible. "With cantons they aim at creating Trojan Horses among us," he said.

Papapetrou said the terms put forward by Denktash were completely unacceptable.

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