United Nations Radio

UN Political Affairs chief B. Lynn Pascoe briefed the Security Council today on his recent mission to Cyprus.

Mr. Pascoe (photo) told journalists he presented a "fairly optimistic report" to the chamber.

"I think the entire world would be delighted to see Cyprus move forward on its negotiation. We would like to see this settled as soon as possible. I've always thought that we have to give these things time to work. But I would very much like to see this Cyprus issue settled just as soon as it possibly can be."

Mr. Pascoe visited Cyprus two weeks ago to determine how the UN can help the Cypriot people to reach a settlement after the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders agreed to reopen talks aimed at reuniting the island.

UN peacekeepers have been in Cyprus since 1964, following an outbreak of violence between the two communities stemming from a series of constitutional crises.

For UN Radio, I'm Dianne Penn.

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