SECRETARY-GENERAL REQUESTS COMMENTS FROM CYPRUS LEADERS ON SUGGESTED BASIS FOR AGREEMENT ON COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT

SECRETARY-GENERAL REQUESTS COMMENTS FROM CYPRUS LEADERS ON SUGGESTED

BASIS FOR AGREEMENT ON COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT

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

The Secretary-General yesterday sent letters to the Greek Cypriot leader, H.E. Mr. Glafcos Clerides, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, H.E. Mr. Rauf Denktash.

He asked each leader to make known to his Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto, by Saturday, 30 November 2002, their comments, suggestions or requests on his suggested basis for agreement on a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, so as to enable the process to move forward.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General has today received a reply from

Mr. Denktash to his earlier letter of 11 November.  This letter is being studied, but it does confirm that Mr. Denktash is prepared to negotiate on the basis of the proposal attached to the Secretary-General’s letter of 11 November.

* *** *