ISTANBUL - U.S. Department of State's special representative to Cyprus Thomas Weston asserted on Thursday that Annan plan was the perfect way of reaching compromise in Cyprus, adding that if there was a better plan, it had to come out till today.
Speaking in the conference on ''Annan Plan: Dreams and Facts'' organized by Bogazici University and Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Foreign Policy Forum, Weston said that the U.S. extended support to Annan plan.
Annan plan partially came out by the Gali's set of ideas, he said adding that the plan was prepared by significant effort of the U.N. Secretary General. The plan aimed to set up a bridge among the differences between the two sides and to unite them, said Weston, adding that Cyprus problem was a complicated issue. Weston commented that Annan plan was balanced and fair regarding the problem, adding that the plan was also to the interest of Turkey and Greece.
Weston noted that Annan plan was an historic opportunity, pointing out to the importance of the fact that no ethnic acts of violence took place during more than 700,000 passages after the opening of the Green Line since April.
Weston stated that there could be persons who could object to certain dimensions of Annan plan, and there could be persons who wanted these to be changed. ''Then, what we tell you is that reciprocal amendments could take place on the plan,'' said Weston.
Weston asserted that many things had to be sorted out until May, 2004 by when Greek Cypriot side would officially join the EU.
A united Cyprus will ease the accession of Turkey to the EU, said Weston, adding that the U.S. also supported the demands of Turkey about the EU.
Weston noted that finding a solution in Cyprus, enlargement of EU and its reaching East Mediterranean was important, adding that finding a solution until May, 2004 would bring in the result of all Cypriots to benefit from EU membership. ''We'll continue to support Annan plan till that time,'' he said, claiming that Turkish Cypriots should benefit from that opportunity.
Weston noted that the U.S. wanted all sides, Turkey, Greece, Turkish and Greek Cypriots to take part in the peace and stability atmosphere in the East Mediterranean. They have to do it within the scope of EU membership, he noted.
(Öª-AÖ) 17.07.2003