BUERGENSTOCK - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul phoned on Saturday night U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and asked active support of him for Turkish side's ''sine qua nons''.
Diplomatic sources said that Gul phoned Powell yesterday night while quartet Cyprus conference was continuing in Buergenstock, Switzerland.
Conveying the recent stage at meetings and the expectations of Turkish side, Gul said that Turkish side was expecting the active support of the United States on the issues of Turkish side's sine qua nons.
Powell, in return, said that he would take up this issue with foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) countries in Berlin and Brussels, adding that they attributed great importance to this issue.
Noting that they considered right the priorities of Turkish side on legal protection, not carrying the agreement which would be reached in Cyprus to European courts, and bizonality issues, Powell said that they understood why those were needed.
Powell told Gul that he would phone the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw today and added that he suggested Turkish side to continue its constructive manner.
Powell also said that they would do their best to make Greek side reply to ''clear determination'' of Turkish side.
Meanwhile, Annan Plan will possibly be presented to sides tomorrow morning.
(GC-AY) 28.03.2004