LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) designated Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who won 19 seats at the parliament following the parliamentary elections on December 14, 2003, to form the new government.
Talat said after undertaking the mission that they aimed to form a government which could take vote of confidence rapidly.
According to Constitution, the leader who is designated to form the government, has to form it within 15 days. If the government cannot be formed, the mission is returned to President.
Talat will appoint all the ministers of his party out of the Parliament to the coalition government he will form to make the Parliament function more productively.
Talat is in favor of establishing a committee including Denktas to carry out negotiations for solution of Cyprus problem.
Talat, who does not want to encounter Denktas in Cyprus negotiations, wants Denktas to support him during negotiation process even if Denktas remains out of the negotiations.
TALAT: WE WILL TRY TO FORM A GOVERNMENT THAT CAN GET VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN POSSIBLE SHORTEST PERIOD
Talat said, ''we will try to form a government that can get the vote of confidence of the parliament without waiting for the period of fifteen days.''
Addressing journalists after his meeting with President Denktas, Talat said, ''the President has designated us to form the new government of TRNC. We are targeting to form a government to reach a solution and the target of the European Union (EU) membership till May 1, 2004. We will start our efforts immediately. First, we will carry out works within the structure of the CTP. Then, we will start holding talks with leaders of the other political parties tomorrow.''
Noting that he did not have any government plan for the time being, Talat told reporters, ''President Denktas asked us to seek the ways of forming the broadest-based government. It also takes place among our own preferences.''
Noting that they wanted to form a government aiming at finding a solution to the Cyprus question till May of 2004, Talat said, ''we will try to form a government in the possible shortest time by holding consultations with Turkey.''
Upon a question about transfer of deputies, Talat said, ''we will work together with the other political parties. We do not have such secret tricks. However, the arithmetic at the parliament can change due to rapidly occurring political events. But, we do not have any impacts on them.''
''If all the gates are closed to me, I will return the duty of forming the new government without waiting for the 15-day period,'' he said.
Noting that President Denktas had proposed him a government including all political parties having seats at the parliament, Talat said, ''we will push all alternatives. A government of three political parties will also be a broad-based government.''
He added that election of new parliament speaker would not constitute a bargaining point in their talks for formation of the government.
(UK-AÖ) 29.12.2003