Cyprus Talks Re-Start in Switzerland

Cyprus Talks Re-Start in Switzerland
After a grueling night of talks aimed at ending thirty years of division on Cyprus, Greek and Turkish negotiators have re-convened in the Swiss alpine resort of Buergenstock. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan wants formal first views on his revised peace plan today and the talks to end by Wednesday. If there is no deal by then, both parts of the island will still vote on the proposal in referendums on April 20. If either side rejects it, only the Greek part will join the European Union on May 1. It is an optimistic timetable. The Greek and Turkish prime ministers' meeting yesterday quickly ran into trouble, with property and settlement rights as key sticking points. The Turkish Cypriot side has asked for clarification of the blueprint. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Turkish demonstrators protest against the new U.N. Cyprus peace plan near Buergenstock, Switzerland, March 29, 2004. (REUTERS/Ruben Sprich)

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