Cyprus leader warns against U.N. plan

NICOSIA, Cyprus, March 14 (UPI) -- The leader of the Greek population in Cyprus said Friday that reunification talks would be further stalled if Turkish Cypriots moved ahead with a U.N. plan.

Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias said no progress toward further talks, which stalled in 2004 when the Turkish Cypriots accepted the U.N. settlement blueprint and the Greek Cypriots rejected it, would be made if the Turkish side pursues the plan, Hurriet reported Friday.

Christofias said Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Turkey -- which is the only country to recognize the Turkish Cyriot-controlled north as a separate state -- have indicated that the U.N. plan may tabled.

"I hope that these statements are statements of tactics and they don't mean what they say, because if Mr. Talat is going to insist on this position you understand that it is not so easy to overcome the deadlock," Christofias said.

Talks between the parties are scheduled for March 21.