TALAT: IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO COMPLETE DISCUSSION AND RESOLVING OF ISSUES UNTIL MARCH 22

LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Thursday that it was not possible to complete discussion and resolving of the issues which were taken up at Cyprus talks until March 22, but a progress would be made until that date.
Holding a press conference, Talat said that discussion of some issues would be completed until March 22 and some could not be. He added that the issues which could not be completed would be left to the discretion of the United Nations Secretary General.
Noting that a very important negotiation process was experienced and people were waiting to see the end of the tunnel, Talat said that the process was continuing on all platforms, not only at table.
Talat said that talks were continuing very intensively and consultations within themselves and with Turkey were carried on. He added that the meetings which they had held with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas in Ankara showed a way to Cyprus talks which were held yesterday and today.
Talat said that today they put forth their reasons of objections to Greek Cypriot proposal about transfer of the lands to the United Nations which would be given to Greek Cypriots after the agreement and he added that the United Nations was also against this proposal of Greek Cypriots.
Noting that the U.N. would need more soldiers after the agreement, Talat said that the U.N.'s governing those lands would bring a heavy burden on the U.N. He added that transfer of those lands to the U.N. could cause problems and conflicts even before the implementation of the agreement.
Talat said that the proposals of sides about the functioning of central state were presented during talks and this would either provide a solution to be reached or would be a data for the United Nations Secretary General. He added, ''we already prefer to reach a solution mutually. This is our effort. But if this does not happen, then we will nearly prepare sufficient data to the Secretary General while he will be using his right of discretion.''
Talat also replied to questions of reporters. When recalled the statements of British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who said 'if Greek Cypriots say 'no' in the referendum, then only Greek Cypriot side will enter the European Union (EU)' and asked his views, Talat said that they agreed with those statements and this was reflected positively to negotiation table for their aspect, adding that they wished this to be reflected to people positively as well.
Talat said that he was hopeful about the talks. When asked his views about the news in Turkish press which say ''Turkey wants persons who are high ranking officials such as prime minister or foreign minister to participate in the quartet conference'', Talat said that they have been desiring the participants of the quartet meeting to have high political will from the beginning and they had brought this onto agenda in the meeting in New York.
Talat said that a meeting which would be held with the participation of low ranking bureaucrats could not be productive and added that they wanted participation in the quartet meeting to be at the prime ministers or foreign ministers level. Talat added that the border would be virtual or have the character of border of state (of a federal union) and soldiers would not be patrolling on the borders.
Talat said that the figures prepared by Greek Cypriot side regarding the cost of the solution and which was also covered by the Greek Cypriot press the same day could be exaggerated, adding that the mentioned study of the Greek Cypriot side could have the target of propaganda in order to urge the people say 'no' in the referendum. Talat said that the committee set up to assess the cost of the solution continued its work and he didn't know at what stage its studies were.
Noting that the interim government to be formed after reaching the solution would stay in power for 40 days, Talat said that later a new election would be held. Talat stressed that parliamentary elections were held in TRNC recently and the interim period should be extended. Talat said that people's views about this issue and the constitution of the Turkish founding state could be asked in the referendum.
Talat stressed that European Parliament elections would also be held on June 13, adding that if a solution was found before that date, two sides would compete in the elections together.
When asked if he was hopeful about reaching an agreement with Greek Cypriot side which had a rigid attitude in the negotiation process, Talat said that nobody expected the talks to resume, but it did. ''When it is possible to assume tough attitude today, tomorrow this attitude can change, soften. It can even cause unexpected developments, I am not hopeless in that respect.''
Upon a question, Talat said that TRNC citizens of Turkey origin would cast vote in the referendum as TRNC laws would be valid in the referendum.
Talat said that the fourth Annan plan would be submitted after March 22 and even a fifth plan could come to agenda, adding that the last plan would be the one to be presented to referendum.

(Öª) 04.03.2004