18 February 2004	Wednesday	26 Zilhaj 1424

BRUSSELS, Feb 17: UN envoy Alvaro de Soto said on Tuesday there was no fallback option if Cyprus reunification plans failed and pressure grew on Turkey to keep its own EU membership hopes alive by ensuring the island entered the bloc.

The UN plan calls for Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to begin make or break talks in Nicosia on Thursday, and for both sides to hold referendums on any deal in April.

Asked what would happen if the referendums rejected the plan for a united Cyprus to join the European Union on May 1, de Soto replied: "We do not have a plan B, nor are we thinking about scenarios about what will happen."

But in a news conference with EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenther Verheugen, de Soto said he was "fairly confident" that political leaders would encourage a yes vote if the talks led to a referendum.

In Nicosia, George Papandreou, leader of Greece's governing socialist party, made clear that Turkey's hopes of EU membership later could hinge on the outcome in Cyprus.

"As Greece we support Turkey's accession. There are voices in the EU which are not in favour, but the EU was sincere when it decided ... to give Turkey a chance," said Mr Papandreou.

His words were echoed by a German officia. "The EU cannot afford to import any problems when it takes on new members. It is fundamental the Cyprus question be solved before we talk about Turkey joining," the German official said. -Reuters