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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-07
CONTENTS
[01] DOWNER - CRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS ISSUE
[01] DOWNER - CRISTOFIAS - CYPRUS ISSUE
The solution of the Cyprus problem is in the hand of the leaders and
the people of Cyprus, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General on
Cyprus, Alexander Downer has said noting that they have to make some
tough decisions about the future of the whole island.
Speaking here Monday, after a meeting he had with the President of the
Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, Downer referred to the next
direct meeting between the two leaders, which will take place on
Wednesday at 10 oclock in the morning.
This is a meeting coming out of the Geneva meeting with the Secretary
General, he said, noting that a lot of procedural work will be done
during that meeting, on the way forward and as a result of the Geneva
meeting.
Asked if the Geneva meeting was what he expected and if he is still
optimistic about the negotiations, Downer said that it is in the hand
of the leaders and the people of Cyprus and they have got to make some
tough decisions about the future of the whole island. And the UN does
what it can to help the process but we cant force anybody to do what
they dont want to do. Ultimately, people in Cyprus have to make their
own decisions and express their own views as they wish to do so, he
added.
Replying to a question whether the Turkish Cypriots can freely express
themselves, bearing in mind the reaction of the Turkish Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan on the demonstrations that are taking place in the
occupied part of Cyprus, Downer said that the Turkish Cypriots do
really want a solution of the Cyprus problem.
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