An opposition victory in northern Cyprus's upcoming elections could end the deadlock in the island's peace talks and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's "nightmare" two-state vision, Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said Monday.

"It's widely accepted that as long as Mr Denktash stays in power he will remain fixed to his vision, which I would call a nightmare, of two separate entities," Papadopoulos told reporters.

"That means there can be no solution," he said.

Opposition parties in the north which favour a UN peace plan have vowed to oust Denktash from his position as chief negotiator for the Turkish Cypriot community in the December parliamentary elections.

But the veteran politician has said he would step down as leader of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognised only by Ankara, if pro-government forces were defeated.

The Greek Cypriots believe that with Denktash out the way, Ankara will have to change its tune and do more to ensure a reunited Cyprus joins the European Union in May 2004.

"I'm under the impression that we've always, in essence, been negotiating with Ankara," said the president of the internationally-recognised and wealthier Greek Cypriot south.

"All indications are that today's government in Turkey supports the policies of Mr Denktash ... the phraseology may be different but Denktash has Ankara's full backing," he added.

Cyprus reunification talks have been in limbo since the failure to agree on a UN settlement blueprint in March. No fresh international peace effort is expected until after the Turkish Cypriot elections.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the island after an Athens-engineered military coup aimed at uniting the independent republic with Greece.

The international community has been pressing the two communities to reach a settlement before Cyprus joins the European Union.

If not, the Turkish Cypriot community will be left out in the cold while only the Greek Cypriots enjoy the benefits of EU membership. The Cyprus impasse has also damaged Turkey's own long-running and troubled bid to join the EU.AFP