Denktash puts Cypriot deal back into play

[papau]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/cyprus/story/0,11551,1121922,00.html

Denktash puts Cypriot deal back into play

Helena Smith in Athens
Tuesday January 13, 2004
The Guardian

Hope of ending the division of Cyprus rose yesterday when the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash appeared to soften his objection to the UN reintegration plan, which he has previously declared dead.

His shift of position came on the heels of Sunday's announcement by two Turkish Cypriot parties which favour a settlement that they will form a coalition government.

Returning from talks in Ankara with the Turkish prime minister, Tayyip Erdogan, Mr Denktash said the UN plan was "still on the table," adding: "We will sit and discuss it."

Turkey was in the process of amending the proposals to make them more acceptable to Turkish Cypriots, he said. <snip>