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[brother]

Solana: New UN envoy for Cyprus?

Greek and Greek Cypriot reports say the top EU official has not yet decided whether to take the job

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News


U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is considering European Union’s high commissioner for foreign and security policy, Javier Solana, as his new envoy for Cyprus, reports in Greek and Greek Cypriot media have said.
Solana would replace former envoy Alvaro de Soto if he takes the job.
The reports come amid growing statements from Turkey, the European Union, United States and the Cypriot parties concerning a possible renewal of efforts for reunification in Cyprus after a plan for a settlement drafted by Annan failed in an April referendum, in which Greek Cypriots voted against it.

De Soto quit as Annan’s special envoy for Cyprus after the collapse of the reunification plan.
The Turkish government gave assurances to EU leaders at a summit in Brussels in mid-December that it would sign a protocol extending Turkey’s 1963 Association Agreement to the ten new members, including Greek Cyprus, by Oct. 3, 2005, the date slated for the start of talks. However, Ankara said this was not tantamount to recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration.
That boosted prospects for renewal of reunification efforts and Annan has said he was ready to offer his good offices mission whenever the Cypriot parties requested.

The new blueprint for renewed talks has been reported to be a revised version of the original Annan plan, which Greek and Greek Cypriot newspapers have dubbed the “Solana Plan.”

Greek To Vima newspaper said Solana has not yet decided whether to take Annan’s offer to become the special envoy for Cyprus.

According to the newspaper, he told British and U.S. diplomats that he would not undertake any initiative whose chance to succeed is less than 99 percent.
Another candidate rumored to be the new special envoy is U.N. Undersecretary General Kieran Prendergast. However, Greek Cypriots oppose the British diplomat, accusing him of being a “representative of British policy and defender of the Turkish position.”

[boulio]

According to the newspaper, he told British and U.S. diplomats that he would not undertake any initiative whose chance to succeed is less than 99 percent.

talk about going out on a limb,true political courage.