"Prendergast heads for Ankara - �Initiative must come from Cypriot parties�
By Elias Hazou
THE SUCCESS of Sir Kieran Prendergast�s visit to the island remained vague yesterday, as conflicting reports emerged as to whether the United Nations were willing to sponsor a new round of talks.
The last stop on Prendergast�s tour of the region is Ankara; yesterday the UN envoy was in Athens for talks with Greek leaders. Maintaining the confidentiality of his mission, he made no statements from the Greek capital, with analysts left guessing as to what was discussed.
Before leaving Cyprus on Thursday, Prendergast made it clear he was not mediating between the two sides but merely exploring their intentions.
�One point I would like to emphasise is that essentially it is the two sides who have to make a peace agreement; the UN can help, can facilitate, can encourage, but in the end we have to have a settlement that is acceptable to both sides,� he said.
And despite persistent questions from journalists, Prendergast declined to say whether the resumption of talks was any closer.
He added that he tried to be �realistic rather than optimistic or pessimistic�."
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