KARPAZ - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Wednesday that Turkish Cypriots had a historical chance and stated that problems of both Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey would end with this historical chance.
Talat, who visited Dipkarpaz village, said that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan was revised so that people could vote 'yes' with ease of mind.
''We will have the opportunity to make our youths and children individuals of the world,'' he noted.
Talat said that majority of 'yes' votes in referendum would contribute to the future and stated that majority of 'yes' votes in Turkish Cypriot side and majority of 'no' votes in Greek Cypriot side in referendum would lead repetition of the referendum in the future. He added that this situation would prevent changes in favor of Greek Cypriots.
Turkey showed its attitude by asking people to vote in favor of the Annan plan in the referendum, he noted.
In regard to the list of citizens which was given to the U.N, Talat said that the lists of citizens were prepared from their registers of birth. Talat said that there could be mistake in the list and noted that those mistakes could be corrected with objections within three months after the agreement was made.
Talat said that people would not suffer from any discrimination and added that Greek Cypriots also were obliged to send the list of people who came to the island afterwards and became citizens of Greek Cypriot side to the U.N..
Talat said that if the agreement was reached, people included in the list would cast vote in elections of the European Parliament on June 13 and could become candidates.
He added that Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul's statement that Turkey would always be on Turkish Cypriots' side was an advantage of for them.
(EÖ-AY) 21.04.2004