Cypriot leader Papadopoulos: I tried to speak with Erdogan 3 times

Greek Cypriot leader Tasos Papadopoulus, on a live television program last night, said that he had attempted to carry out talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan three different times, but had been unsuccessful in getting an answer from Ankara. Responding to reporters' questions, Papadopoulos said that he was pleased about the start up of EU accession talks with Turkey, and noted "If they had not entered the process, there would have been no opportunity for us to put pressure on them with the EU. Now we have a forum for continual pressure." "Rice did not give me orders" Papadopoulos also confirmed that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had called him prior to the start of the Turkish accession talks to speak about the Turkish and Cypriot roles in NATO and other international bodies. The Greek Cypriot leader stressed however that Rice had not given him orders on these issues.  Annan Plan not acceptable as-is Papadopoulos also discussed the Annan Plan for Cyprus during the one hour television program, saying that there were many wide ranging changes demanded by Cyprus to the Annan Plan, though underlining that Turkey would have the right to decide about these changes. "We want many changes made to this plan. The Cypriot Turks do not have the authority or power to decide on these subjects. Ankara does though. Which is why I tried to have talks with Erdogan 3 times about the Cyprus issue, but never got a response."  The Greek Cypriot parliamentary leader, Dimitris Hristofyas, reminded the audience that Turkey would find Cyprus facing it every step of the way during the EU accession talks. Said Hristofyas, "The framework document gives us many chances to put up a strong appearance in front of Turkey."Â