The Final Phase

Abstract

Discussions got underway at the UNPA on the morning of Thursday 19 February. Although de Soto called on the two sides to avoid divulging any details of the discussions to the press, reports soon emerged that the first two-hour meeting had been constructive and business-like in its tone.¹ This impression was seeming confirmed by an announcement from the UN that the two negotiating teams would meet every weekday morning, with extra meetings as necessary, instead of the originally planned two or three meetings a week. However, Papadopoulos soon painted another picture of the developments. Speaking upon his return to the presidential palace after the first session, he claimed that Denktash was still calling for changes that were outside of the scope of the Annan Plan and had even questioned the fundamental principles of the proposals.² Speaking just hours later, Iacovou explained that the Turkish Cypriot leader wanted to alter the terminology and basic territorial provisions of the plan. Iacovou also issued a warning. If the Turkish side continued to try to go beyond the basic parameters of the plan, the Greek Cypriots would follow suit.³