Secretary-General's press encounter following his briefing to the Security Council on Iraq and Cyprus

February 9, 2004 

Q: [inaudible, on Cyprus] 

SG: You mean, when is the meeting tomorrow? My team is in consultations with the parties. It's likely to be in the afternoon. Some of the delegations are arriving today and I think we should give them a chance to relax and not push them into negotiations first thing in the morning. 

Q: [inaudible, on Cyprus] 

SG: Once the programme is settled - we will let you know.

Q: [inaudible on referendum, on Cyprus]

SG: It is part of the plan, it is in the Plan, and we will be discussing all these things with the parties. I don't want to go into details before the negotiations tomorrow with the parties.

Q: Will you give them any options?

Q: …if I have given any option to them, you mean on the Cyprus issue?

SG: I think the Plan is quite well known. It is a plan that is on the table which is a basis for negotiations.

Q: No changes?

SG: The parties may mutually agree to changes. If they agree to changes, of course we will accept them.

Q: Are they direct talks?

SG: Direct talks.

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