SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES TO SEE ‘DECISIVE PROGRESS’ IN UPCOMING CYPRUS TALKS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Alvaro de Soto, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, briefed the members of the Security Council this afternoon on talks in Cyprus between

H.E. Mr. Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and H.E. Mr. Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader.  He informed them of the Secretary-General’s intention to travel to Cyprus and meet with the two leaders in furtherance of his mission of good offices.  The Secretary-General hopes to see decisive progress in the talks between the two leaders in the coming period.  He plans to call on them separately and to meet them jointly.  The dates of his visit will be announced shortly.

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