Annan 'encouraged' by reaction to Cyprus plan

Secretary-General Kofi Annan is encouraged by the "generally positive" reaction to his plan on Cyprus, a United Nations spokesman said today.

Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that the Secretary-General "wants to press ahead with the parties in accordance with the calendar, which is part and parcel of the plan, and which is designed to take advantage of the opportunity that is available now."

Mr. Annan met today in The Hague with his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, to take stock of efforts to solve the Cyprus problem. They discussed steps for engaging the parties intensively in the next week or so, according to the spokesman.

“The Secretary-General looks forward to receiving their substantive reactions with a view to moving ahead in earnest,” Mr. Dujarric said, adding that Mr. Annan will remain in contact with the Prime Ministers of Greece and Turkey on the matter, and his Special Adviser will return to the region to continue consultations.

At a press encounter today in The Hague, when asked to react to reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash does not accept the proposal, the Secretary-General responded, "I think it's too early to say." He noted that Mr. Denktash was recovering from surgery, and voiced hope for more definitive remarks from him after he has had time for consultations.

Meanwhile in New York, the UN Security Council held closed consultations on the Secretary-General's latest report on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The United Kingdom introduced a draft resolution which recommends extending the mission's mandate until 15 June 2003, as recommended in the report.