World IN BRIEF : CYPRUS : Turkish Chief Quits to Pave Way for Vote

Rauf Denktash resigned as president of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to clear the way for early elections that he said will be a referendum on the divided island’s future. Presidential elections will be held April 22 and parliamentary elections May 6. Denktash complained that some Turkish Cypriot politicians have accused him of being too uncompromising in talks on reunifying Cyprus. The latest round of U.N.-sponsored talks collapsed earlier this month over Turkish Cypriot demands for self-determination. Cyprus has been split into northern Turkish and southern Greek sectors since 1974.