LEFKOSA - Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Saturday about Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan about appointment of an impartial mediator trusted by both sides to resolve the Cyprus issue that Erdogan had made a proposal by evaluating Annan's attitude and under recent preparations.
Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Talat said that it was wrong to say something about the matter before getting detailed information.
''It is impossible and even wrong to comment on this matter before getting information that whether this mediation is about Alvaro de Soto or there will be another function,'' he said.
''But the important point is that Mr. Erdogan has made a proposal by definitely evaluating Annan's attitude there and under recent preparations. It is impossible to say much about it before having detailed information as it may lead to misunderstandings. First of all, I have to learn the meaning of it. However, every kind of proposal can be made as contribution to solution of the Cyprus issue. Every step for solution should be supported,'' Talat said.
Replying a question, Talat said that Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul had telephoned him after the meeting between Erdogan and Annan and told him that it was a positive meeting and congratulated him as his coalition government won the TRNC parliament's vote of confidence.
(MS-UK) 25.01.2004