CTP LEADER TALAT: DECISION OF UBP WILL ALSO AFFECT OUR RELATION WITH DP

LEFKOSA - Efforts continue to form the government in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
National Unity Party (UBP) is expected to clarify its attitude about formation of the government after its meeting on Friday. UBP leader Dervis Eroglu is expected to convey its decision to Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Speaking to Turkish Cypriot Agency (TAK), Talat said that they would continue their contacts also in the weekend and he was resolved to form the government as soon as possible.
Upon questions about UBP Party Assembly meeting, Talat said that ''this will be their own will, but I expect a positive decision. If it is positive, our contacts will start immediately.''
Talat said that the attitude of UBP was also important regarding formation of a partnership with Democrat Party (DP), adding that ''DP gave proxy to UBP. UBP has to give a positive response to make this proxy useful.''
Reiterating his belief in forming the government and completing the studies in that issue before the end of 15-day period, Talat said that the government had to be formed first for making common assessment with Turkey.
Talat said that he didn't have official contact with Turkey, but his contacts at the unofficial level continued.

UBP REPLIES PROPOSALS OF CTP
National Unity Party (UBP) assembly replied Republican Turkish Party's (CTP) proposals on formation of a new government in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) by asking some questions. UBP wanted written answers on some issues mentioned in Annan plan.
Proposals of CTP were assessed in the meeting of UBP assembly under the chairmanship of UBP leader and Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu.
UBP secretary general Suha Turkoz conveyed a letter which was written in line with views formed in the meeting to CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
The letter addressing Talat asked some detailed questions on equal sovereign state status, guarantee system, global property barter/compensation, map, Turkish-Greek balance under the light of Greek Cypriot administration's signing European Union (EU) accession agreement as ''Cyprus Republic'' on April 16, 2003 and December 2002 Copenhagen Summit Final Declaration.
Following the meeting, Eroglu said that written answers of CTP to those questions would be re-assessed in his party's assembly and stated that according to its answers, a positive or negative answer would be given on formation of a coalition with CTP.
UBP LEADER EROGLU: ''WE WILL ASSUME AN ATTITUDE ACCORDING TO ANSWER OF CTP''
Eroglu said that they wrote views of his party, asked some questions and wanted their answers in detail in the letter that they sent to CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Eroglu said that TRNC people showed in December 14 elections with their votes that they were in favor of an agreement by protecting their vested rights and stated that those issues were also discussed in the meeting of party assembly.
He stated that they focused on a government formula which would be formed by taking into account expectations of TRNC people.
Stating that they wanted to learn view of Talat and attitude of CTP on issues of ''equal sovereignty, guaranties, land-property, map, and Turkish-Greek balance,'' Eroglu said that the answer which they would receive would be assessed by party organs and they would give a positive or negative answer on the issue.
Eroglu said that a viable agreement was targeted during negotiations which had been held in Cyprus for years and stated, ''we also see today that it is not possible to reach an agreement in Cyprus only with the will of Turkish side. We have been always accused of not reaching an agreement, when reasons of not reaching an agreement have been searched. In fact, the real reason of not reaching an agreement in Cyprus is Greek Cypriot side's being recognized as 'Cyprus Republic' in 1964, European Union's (EU) opening its doors to Greek Cypriot side, which have increased Greek Cypriots' uncompromising attitude at the negotiation table. In fact, it has been the Greek Cypriot side which has assumed an uncompromising attitude. As Clerides said, they have followed a good tactic.''
Eroglu said that they encountered with Annan plan today because the world and some political parties in TRNC did not see this fact and stated, ''it is not possible to accept Annan plan as a whole according to views of UBP.''
Stating that whether or not there would be recovery in Annan plan was a different issue which should be discussed, he said that they asked some questions on those issues and referendum to Talat and they were waiting for answers.
Eroglu said that UBP had always been in favor of a lasting peace and a viable agreement and stated that his party would continue to pursue the stable policy it had pursued with Turkey so far.
Noting that there should be unity in TRNC for their stable policies to be accepted, he said that but they felt sad because they could not always see that unity in TRNC. Eroglu said that they wanted an agreement much more than other people in the country, but added that their ''sine qua nons'' were not accepted and the world disregarded facts in Cyprus.
''There are facts experienced in Cyprus. People should act by taking into account those facts. The paths to a viable agreement should be opened without disregarding the fact of two states and two people. When we are exerting efforts to fulfil our duties on the issue, we should receive some answers to some questions to solve also existing government issue,'' he added.
CTP LEADER TALAT SAYS QUESTIONS THAT THEY ASKED DON'T HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH LETTER THAT WAS SENT BY UBP
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat who was designated by Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas to form the new government said on Friday that there was not any connection between questions that they asked National Unity Party (UBP) and the letter that UBP sent to CTP on Friday evening.
Talat told the A.A correspondent that the letter of UBP would be assessed in the meeting of CTP Central Administration Committee at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Stating that there was not any answers, but some questions in the letter which was sent by UBP, Talat said, ''questions that we asked during our visit do not have any connection with this letter. But letter is a letter. We will assess it at the meeting of Central Administration Committee on Saturday.''
Talat who visited UBP on December 30, 2003 wanted views of UBP on whether or not UBP wants to be involved in a government under the leadership of CTP and the issue of solution and negotiation on the basis of Annan plan till May 1, 2004. UBP leader and Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said that they would give an answer after those issues were discussed in the party assembly.
Following the meeting of UBP party assembly on Friday, the party sent a letter to CTP leader Talat which includes detailed questions on Annan plan. The questions comprised of five articles include issues of ''equal sovereign state status, guaranty system, global property barter/compensation, map and Turkish-Greek balance.'' Eroglu also said that they would assume an attitude after they assessed written answers of CTP to those questions.
(Öª-EÖ-AÖ) 02.01.2004