Negotiations on Cyprus aim at settlement by 1 June 1989; leaders of two sides in direct talks for first time in three years.

• Position: Includes short history of the conflict

Negotiations aimed at a comprehensive settlement of the 24-year-old Cyprus situation resumed in September, as leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities held direct talks for the first time in three years.

The arrangements for the face-to-face discussions were initiated by UN Secretary-General Javier P6rez de Cuellar at a 24 August luncheon in Geneva attended by George Vassiliou, who was elected President of Cyprus in February 1988, and Rauf Denktash, leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Immediately after the luncheon, it was announced that the two men had expressed their willingness to meet without pre-conditions and to attempt to achieve by I June 1989 a negotiated settlement of all aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Vassiliou and Mr.Denktash met eight times between 15 and 27 September in the island's capital of Nicosia. Their goal: a negotiated settlement of all aspects of the Cyprus problem by 1 June 1989.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative in Cyprus, Oscar Camilion, hosted the Nicosia meetings, seven of which were held at his residence, The two leaders were reported to have had "very useful discussions" and a "useful exchange of views" during the meetings. Talks were set to resume on 17 October.

Ready to

co-operate

Mr.Camilion said the spirit of the September discussions had been fully in accord with the expressed determination of both leaders to...