Secretary General's Statements 

United Nations Headquarters, New York

April 13, 2004

Q: On Cyprus Sir: With Greek and Cypriot leaders both saying they oppose the proposed plan, urging the voters in some cases to vote no. What have you/are you able to do? How are you working to sort of turn this around? What hope is there really that this plan will be approved when the referendums come about? 

SG: It’s really up to the people at this stage. I mean the understanding was that the plan will be put to simultaneous referenda. If one side votes against it the Greek Cypriots are going in alone and really we will need to see what happens. There has been suggestion by one of the parties that the referenda be postponed to give them more time to campaign but this has not been taken up by the other parties who - in the agreement if the Greek and Turkish Cypriots with the support of the governments of Turkey and Greece were to ask for a postponement that is something that we would have to reflect on. But there has been no such request. 

Q: Mr. Secretary General: You are supposed to have a report this week and what action will you suggest the council to take on Cyprus ? You are supposed to file a report this week with the Council. What do you want the Council to do? 

SG: I think the Council will be briefed on where we are and what has happened since our discussions in Switzerland and then the Council will have to decide which line to take. I am not steering the Council, they will have to take their own decisions.

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