Turkije steunt Denktash inzake hereniging Cyprus (en)

Hopes for a solution to the division of Cyprus were dashed as the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül said on Sunday that the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash should be the one leading the talks on the island's reunification.

The pro-EU Republican Turkish Party, which is trying to put together a coalition following last month's elections on the Turkish-Cypriot side, had hoped that Turkey would convince Mr Denktash to step aside when it takes over, the BBC said.

However these hopes were shattered as Turkey said Mr Denktash should not be replaced.

"We very much desire Denktash to lead the talks as chief negotiator once the new government is set up because he is the community leader and, as the leader, he should be doing that", Mr Gül told CNN-Turk television.

Mr Denktash is seen as the one responsible for the failure of talks last year on a UN-backed plan to reunite Cyprus.

If he remains in office there is little hope for a solution to the island's division before next May when Cyprus, along with another nine countries, joins the EU.

Failure to reunite the island would mean little chance for Turkey getting a date at the end of this year to start accession negotiations with the EU.

Pressure for a solution is coming also from the US, as President George W Bush sent a letter to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging the resumption of the UN-mediated talks aimed at reuniting the island.