New Phase in Cyprus: New York Talks

Rauf Denktas, president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Glafkos Clerides, the president of Cyprus Republic, and Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations met in Paris on September 6.

"A new formation can be on the agenda, if it is recognized that there are two equal and sovereign states in Cyprus," said Denktas. " The talks were pleasing."

Denktas said the following about the talks:

"The talks were pleasing"

* We were able to convey that there are serious problems in Cyprus and that they are not overcome yet.

* The Turkish side has made a huge attempt in trying to make peace. It is impossible for us to forego our sovereignty.

* It was pleasing that Clerides said, "I don't intend to become the state of Turkish Cypriots. I don't have such a pretension."

Talks will continue in New York in October

* Now we will see the evaluation of the secretary-general and come together

with Alvaro de Soto in three weeks.

* We will meet with United Nations the secretary-general again in New York early October.

* Cyprus does not constitute a problem in Turkey's European Union (EU) bid. However, it would be a huge blindness for EU to admit Cyprus before a solution on the island. The EU would not be involved in such a big mistake. (NK/BB/EA/NM)