Talat Says They Made A Political Struggle In Switzerland

LEFKOSA - Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Thursday that they had an intensive political struggle in Switzerland. He said they obtained the best result they could in the end.
Talat and TRNC Foreign and Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas returned to TRNC after joining Cyprus talks in Switzerland.
Talat said they altogether prepared the most ideal plan that could be obtained, noting that process continued and that there were still steps to be taken. Talat said they passed through historic days.
Making a call to people for unity and integrity, Talat said they wanted a self-sacrificing support from people whatever their political views were.
TRNC Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas wished the result to be beneficial for everybody, noting that, ''the result, 'yes or no' does not make any difference. The most important reality is that Cyprus island has two owners. They are Turkish and Greek Cypriots.''
Serdar Denktas said working together with the Turkish delegation, they did their best on the plan that was put in front of them.
Pointing out that they passed through a difficult period yet that they now proceeded to a more difficult period, Denktas said, ''in this process, our people will make a decision about their future. To this end, we should very clearly inform our people so that they can make the best decision about the future.''
Serdar Denktas said political views should be left aside at this period, and that people should act without offending each other.
Serdar Denktas wanted people to make a decision with logical approaches, not emotional for the future of the country and the children, and stated that he and Talat worked in harmony leaving aside the political differences and making concessions from their beliefs from time to time.
Serdar Denktas said they managed to protect some of the rights, but that they could not protect some others. ''We should not forget that the Greek Cypriot side also had to have benefits as much as ours so that this partnership could be carried out, if it can be formed.''
(AY-AÖ) 02.04.2004