The Greek Cypriot leadership has accused their Turkish-Cypriot counterparts of being wedded to "separation", despite the reported emergence of a new plan to unify Cyprus at UN-brokered talks in the Netherlands this evening.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has this evening called Cyprus President Mr Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktash back for further negotiations tonight.
But the mood appears sour heading into the late-night talks, as Mr Annan tries to cajole the two sides into holding referendums on a plan to reunify Cyprus before it joins the European Union.
"Mr Dentkash continues to pursue his vision of separation," said a member of the Greek-Cypriot delegation on condition of anonymity.
He said the stationing of Turkish troops in northern Cyprus was one of the biggest sticking points in today's negotiation.
The Turkish-Cypriot delegation refused to comment.
Mr Annan wants the two communities to agree to a peace plan, which foresees a Swiss-style confederation for Cyprus, to a plebiscite on March 30th.
He said before the talks in the Hague that this was the final chance for a settlement before the internationally recognised Greek-Cypriot government signs its EU accession treaty on April 16th.
But Greek-Cypriot media, quoting official sources, said the United Nations had submitted a two-page document which pushes back the proposed referendums to April 6th.
The document also lists nine issues which the two sides can negotiate up until March 28th.
Both sides are seeking changes to the plan, while Greek Cypriots say improvements are needed on how the new state would function after a settlement is reached.
Moreover, Mr Annan also wants an agreement on security arrangements on Cyprus between Greece and Turkey by March 31st, according to Greek Cypriot television and radio stations.
He is reportedly waiting for assurances from Ankara on his latest proposal before holding the joint meeting with Mr Papadopoulos and Mr Denktash.
AFP