U.S. State Secretary Speaks To Trnc Prime Minister By Phone

LEFKOSA - U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell spoke to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat by phone, Turkish Agency-Cyprus (TAK) said on Tuesday.
TAK noted that Powell called Talat on the phone at 3.15 p.m. and thanked him for his constructive efforts to solve Cyprus issue.
TAK quoted Powell as saying that the United States continued its efforts to record progress in solution of Cyprus issue and to get a positive result in the simultaneous referenda to be held in the island on April 24.
Talat said that the Greek Cypriots had concerns over implementation of the agreement.
Noting that they had obligations for implementation of the agreement, Talat said that they did not think of refraining from their obligations.
Powell said that the United States appreciated Talat's attitude and thanked for his constructive efforts.
Delegations from TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece held meetings in Buergenstock, Switzerland from March 24 to 31 in order to find a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus issue till May 1 on the basis of United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis joined the negotiations between March 29 and 31.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan presented his final plan to the parties at the end of the negotiations on March 31.
This plan will be put to simultaneous referenda in Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides on April 24.
(BRC) 13.04.2004