The leaders concentrated their discussions on the issue of property. This discussion will be continued on Monday by the Representatives in my presence and then the leaders after the Representatives meeting will get together again next week. They will be getting together next Wednesday to talk some more about this issue. So next Wednesday’s meeting will also be on the property issue. That’s all we’ve really got for you today.
 

Question: Sir, just one question. Are you concerned about a recent upturn in accusations, counter-accusations, by the two sides that made the climate not so favourable?
 

Mr Downer: Well I think you understand that there have been the anniversaries in the last week so this is for all Cypriots whether they are Turkish Cypriots or Greek Cypriots a difficult time. It is of course a time when people focus on history and focus on the past, and the important thing is that the leaders are working towards the future; they are not working towards the past, you can’t revisit the past. You can only live in the presence and the future, and the leaders are working towards the future, and we in the United Nations are very encouraged by that.
 

Question: And you are not concerned that it will have a negative impact on the talks?
 

Mr Downer: It happens every year doesn’t it? So I’m hoping and I can really only repeat what I have said. We obviously wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think that the leaders were working towards the future and towards building a better future for Cyprus. I mean the thing about the anniversaries is they will always come around. They remind people of what has happened. They remind people of why Cyprus is as it is today, if they need reminding. They certainly are reminded and they remind all of us that we live in the presence and we look to the future and the important thing is to think about what lessons can be learned from the past and what a great future can be built for Cyprus. That’s what the leaders are working on, and we are encouraged by this.
 

Question: If you allow me just one point on this, what was said was very specific pertaining to the talks about hardening of stances and intransigence and what not. This affects the talks, does it not?
 

Mr Downer: Well, they had a long meeting today and they had a good meeting today in the sense that they were able to talk very frankly with each other about issues that they have, and differences that they have, and convergences that they are confident they can build. So, this is what the talks are for. I would say that our overall view is this in the United Nations: We wanted to make sure after the elections that took place in the north that the process would resume, that it would have good momentum; you have often heard me use the word momentum. I think the process has good momentum. I think from our point of view if we look at it as the United Nations and make an assessment of what’s happening, and we don’t make value judgements on the individual positions of the different parties, that’s not our job, but if we make an overall evaluation, then the leaders are showing a lot of commitment to meeting, to talking through issues; you have the Representatives meeting. The summer holidays are coming up in August, but the leaders have agreed to three meetings through the summer holiday month of August. I would say that’s a pretty good sign of the level of their commitment. The fact that they are looking to the future, looking to try to achieve further outcomes, I know that’s not to underestimate what I should say for two years is a difficult task. But it would have been solved a long time ago if it wasn’t difficult, but they are working at it and they are showing a good and strong commitment to a lot of meetings. That includes Representatives and expert meetings and that is good as well.
Thank you.