ANKARA - Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Friday that the letter sent by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan was still being evaluated in detail.
Following the meeting of Council of Ministers, Cicek told reporters that those assessments would also continue on Saturday and a decision would probably be taken tomorrow.
Cicek said that they focused mainly on developments concerning Cyprus issue in the meeting of the Cabinet, noting that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul informed ministers about their visits to Davos and the United States.
''We are going through a critical and important process on Cyprus issue. Thus, there is need to take steps and make decisions on Cyprus issue the following days,'' he noted.
Stating that policies which were carried out for such an important issue were considered state policy, he said that there was need to make assessments on the issue by taking into consideration facts of Cyprus and possible developments. Cicek said that the government was aware of its responsibility.
Cicek said that Cyprus issue which was an important national cause should not be used as an instrument of internal politics.
Recalling that Prime Minister Erdogan held some meetings on Cyprus issue with Annan in Davos and U.S. President George W. Bush and other officials in the United States, Cicek said that the letter which was sent by Annan to Prime Minister was still being evaluated in detail.
''There is no need to be in hurry on this issue. Those assessments will also continue on Saturday. Those assessments are being carried out at several phases. A decision will probably be taken on Saturday. After meetings on Friday evening and Saturday, steps which Turkey will take will be more definite,'' he added.
When a reporter said Annan had a negative attitude especially about guarantor rights and asked what kind of path Turkey would follow, Cicek said that Turkey has expressed which issues were important and had priority and if an understanding was reached, which issues should be presented to referendum, adding that it would be beneficial to take up the issue. He said that it was certainly obvious that the letter did not meet Turkey's some expectations, thus all of those issues should be evaluated.
Cicek said that the evaluation was made today and would continue, adding that the date which was set was February 10. He said that they did not reveal all details, but on which issues Turkey was determined and which issues could be negotiated were explained sufficiently to public opinion earlier. He added that Turkey was determined to continue the talks within this scope.
When asked whether difference of opinion with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas was eliminated, Cicek said that as it was also announced in National Security Council (NSC) statement, Denktas and Turkish government did not have difference of opinion on common targets.
When asked whether Turkey would convey its expectations to Annan with a letter, Cicek said that the important thing was starting of negotiations and Turkey's good will and determination. He added that it was not important if issues were conveyed verbally or in written.
Upon a question who would represent Turkey on negotiation table, Cicek said that the government and public opinion wanted Denktas to carry on talks. He added that any change on this determination was out of question at the moment.
When asked who would represent Turkey, Cicek said that there were essential sides of negotiations and this was Denktas, and those who accompanied him, namely, TRNC Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. He added that there would naturally be a person as an advisor or observer in the delegation.
When a reporter said that Denktas stated that he was expecting positive news from Ankara and asked what the news was, Cicek said that he did not know and it would be revealed tomorrow.
(AA) 06.02.2004