[autom.vertaling] Geen oplossing van Cyprus die waarschijnlijk vóór Turkse verkiezingen (en)
The Cyprus talks, currently being held in New York with the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, are under strain after recent statement by the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who warned that Cyprus would remain divided forever if the island joins the European Union. Although EU officials believe an agreement in principle would ease the enlargement process, it is not seen as a precondition for enlargement. However it appears that any ideas on a solution will be put forward after the November 3 general elections in Turkey.
The UN, British and American envoys appear cautious about the prospects of achieving progress at this round of talks in New York as all indications from the Denktash front are negative, the Cyprus News Agency reported. Mr Denktash is backed by Ankara in this, saying that such a move would destroy the peace process.
The Turkish Cypriot leader is insisting on his firm position for recognition of his self-styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus, on the abolition of the Republic of Cyprus and refuses to discuss the territorial issue, one of the core issues at the negotiating table.
British and US diplomats, involved in the Cyprus peace effort, believe that a change of government in Turkey would alter the entire political scene and would strengthen those in Turkey who back the country's European course. Kofi Annan and his special adviser seem to agree with this train of thought and believe that it would be best to put forward any ideas on a solution to the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides after the November 3 general elections in Turkey.
The UN Secretary General want to bring the Cyprus peace talks to a closure by the end of the year, but did not rule out the possibility of continuing talks beyond the Copenhagen summit.