NICOSIA - Cyprus lodged an official protest Monday after Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat officiated at the prize-giving ceremony for the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul which was carried live on Greek Cypriot television.
"This was a deliberately stage-managed move to promote the Turkish Cypriot leader as a supposed president of an independent state," Greek Cypriot government spokesman Christodoulos Pashardes told reporters.
"Mr Talat is neither a citizen nor an official of Turkey, the organising country, to be invited to present the Formula One winner`s trophy," he added.
The spokesman accused Turkey of "tricking" the International Motoring Federation (FIA) by hijacking a purely sporting event for "provocative and ludicrous political propaganda".
The internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government -- which has no diplomatic relations with Turkey -- is extremely sensitive to any move that suggests any upgrading of the breakaway state.
Talat, president of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) took centre stage at Sunday`s Grand Prix presenting the winner`s trophy to Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.
To make matters worse, the race was watched by an estimated viewing audience of 2.5 billion worldwide, including shocked Greek Cypriot motorsport fans who followed the race live on state television.
"I thought it was a joke seeing him up there," said viewer Dinos Ioannou.
"How can the international federation allow this to happen? If Talat can do it, then why not let anybody with a `title` do it?"
The Cyprus government is also keen to stress the TRNC is not a member of the FIA while the Cyprus Republic is.
The Cyprus Automobile Association has filed its own complaint with the international body.
08/28/2006 10:46 GMT