UN envoy holds talks on revised proposal for resolving Cyprus problem

Talks have taken place on the revised proposal put forward by Secretary-General Kofi Annan for resolving the Cyprus problem, a UN spokesman said today in New York.

The Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, was unwell and not able to see the Secretary-General's Special Advisor, Alvaro de Soto, yesterday afternoon, although the two did speak last night by telephone, spokesman Fred Eckhard said. Mr. de Soto met instead with Mr. Denktash's advisor, Ergun Olgun, before travelling to Copenhagen.

Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot Leader, is also in Copenhagen, Mr. Eckhard said.

In his letter to the two leaders on 9 December, the Secretary-General invited both sides to be available in Copenhagen should that prove necessary, according to the spokesman. "In light of yesterday's inconclusive consultations, it clearly is, if the opportunity that is at hand is to be seized," Mr. Eckhard said.