Solution to Cyprus Issue by May 2004 'Very Feasible': US Ambassador

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, August 07, 2003

Solution to Cyprus Issue by May 2004 'Very Feasible': US Ambassador

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It is "very feasible" to clinch a deal on a comprehensive settlement of Cyprus issue before Cyprus joins the European Union in May 2004, US ambassador to Cyprus was quoted by Cyprus News Agency (CAN) as saying on Wednesday.

"I still subscribe to the view that a solution is possible before May 2004. There remains a window of opportunity that should be seized with a great deal of urgency. We encourage all parties torecognize that and get back into talks and finish what they started," Michael Klosson told CAN.

Washington wants to see a change of perspective on the part of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and a new negotiator for the Turkish Cypriot community might be a breath of fresh air to the talks, Klosson added.

The US ambassador stressed that the United States is and will remain an active player in the peace effort, and there can be no political settlement without US participation in this process.

He reaffirmed his government's strong support to a UN peace planand urged the two sides to return to the negotiating table with a view to finalizing what they had started before the collapse of theUN-led peace talks in March.

"We support the Annan plan. It is the most balanced way forward,the most comprehensive UN effort ever undertaken. It is the only way forward.

"We are not going away. We shall remain very active because it is very important to have a solution, whether people trust us or not. Everybody seems to feel that the solution will not come about without the United States being part of the process and we accept that responsibility," he said.

He noted that Washington has been "very active" with Ankara in pointing out a political settlement in Cyprus would serve Turkey's interests too.

Cyprus has been divided into the Greek Cypriot controlled south and the Turkish Cypriot dominated north since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the northern one-third of the island inthe wake of an abortive coup by supporters of union with Greece.

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