Ending Cyprus visit, Annan says island’s sobering challenges must be met

Departing Cyprus today, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said his meetings with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders left him convinced that the moment was right to overcome the island’s problems.

“I am concluding my visit sobered by the challenge at hand, but even more deeply convinced that this is the time to press on and rise to that challenge,” Mr. Annan told reporters at Larnaca Airport. “An historic opportunity exists now to reach a comprehensive settlement. There is no doubt in my mind that this would be in the interest of both sides and the region. This opportunity must be seized.”

The Secretary-General said he had discussed both substantive and procedural matters during separate meetings on Wednesday with His Excellency Mr. Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and His Excellency Mr. Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, as well as at a dinner attended by both.

Mr. Annan said he had reminded both leaders of their responsibility, as well as his willingness to help them reach the goal they had set at the end of last year. “The two leaders have stated to me their readiness to intensify their effort,” he said. “I come away from Cyprus with the commitment of both leaders to go about this effort in a genuine spirit of give and take.”

The Secretary-General said he remained convinced that between now and the end of June, all the core issues – governance, security, territory and property – could be resolved provided the leaders went about their task “decisively and with the necessary political will.” He appealed to the two leaders to rise to the challenge, adding “I am looking to the motherlands – Greece and Turkey – for sustained and constructive support.”

Answering questions from the press, the Secretary-General said he was aware that Mr. Denktash had indicated that June was too soon. “I think it can be done if the will is there,” Mr. Annan commented. “I am not saying that by June they should have a signed and sealed agreement, but at least they should be able to have resolved the core issues.”

The Secretary-General said when he had visited the line dividing Cyprus, he saw in the eyes of people on the street that they would want to see peace. “It was interesting,” he said, “I had come to encourage them, but wherever I went they were encouraging me and praying for peace.”

“I felt their desire for peace, and I can assure them that on my side, as far as UN Secretary-General, I and the Organization are going to work with the two leaders to bring peace as soon as we can, and I think this is the moment,” he said.

This morning, he visited the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), where he was briefed by the military and police and talked with civilian staff, according to a spokesman travelling with the Secretary-General. Mr. Annan then toured the UN Protected Area, including a stop at the closed Nicosia Airport, and walked around the old city. He also took an escorted tour along the section of the buffer zone known as the Green Line, which divides the old city.

The Secretary-General then departed for Indonesia. During a short stop-over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on his way to Jakarta via Singapore, the Secretary-General met with senior Government officials, the spokesman reported.