Annan 'very concerned' about response on Cyprus peace proposal

The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today voiced serious concern about the overdue response to a proposal he submitted last week to Cypriot leaders in a bid to bridge the gaps between them and break the deadlock in negotiations.

When he gave the two sides the plan on 11 November, the Secretary-General asked them to convey their reaction to Alvaro de Soto, his Special Adviser, within a week.

A spokesman for Mr. Annan said that yesterday, the Secretary-General received a letter from Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, expressing his readiness to begin negotiations without delay on the basis of the document that is before the two leaders. "He has not yet received such an indication from the Turkish Cypriot side," the spokesman noted in a statement issued on Mr. Annan's behalf.

"We understand that Mr. [Rauf] Denktash remains hospitalized in New York and that he requires consultations before he can provide the United Nations with the reaction that was requested," the statement noted. "The Secretary-General is very concerned."

"A way to get negotiations under way needs to be found urgently, because further delay could result in the disappearance of the opportunity," the statement warned, noting that the Secretary-General's plan contains a calendar "designed to allow the parties to seize this opportunity."

The timetable requires the main issues to be resolved prior to the Copenhagen European Council. "The calendar is part and parcel of the plan," the statement notes.

The Secretary-General has asked Mr. de Soto to meet him in Europe at the end of the week so as to take stock and examine what the UN can do to bring the process forward, according to the statement.