Cyprus: Annan's envoy meets separately with Clerides and Denktash

Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Advisor for Cyprus today met separately with the Greek Cypriot leader, Glafcos Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

Alvaro de Soto, who had arrived in Cyprus on Sunday, told journalists at the airport that he believed there were grounds for hope and optimism regarding efforts to find a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

He also noted that the international community had been encouraged by recent developments on the island, adding that he was there to help the two sides find a settlement and was ready to play a role in that context.

The direct talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders under the auspices of the Secretary-General's good offices mission are scheduled to start in the UN Protected Area in Nicosia on Wednesday.