Talat: It Is Impossible For Turkish Cypriots To Accept Being Represented By Greek Cypriots

ISTANBUL - It was not possible for Turkish Cypriots to accept being represented by the Greek Cypriots in international arena, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Wednesday.
Talat, who returned from Brussels, held a press conference in Istanbul.
When he was recalled about the statement of Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos who said that ''assistance to be extended to Turkish Cypriots by the European Union (EU) should be sent to TRNC through the Greek Cypriot side'', Talat said that the Greek Cypriot side was using its false title ''Republic of Cyprus'' which it had gained by a principle called ''principle of obligation'' in international law, in every occasion.
Talat noted that the ''principle of obligation'' was removed as 65 percent of Turkish Cypriot people said ''yes'' to the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem in Saturday's simultaneous referenda in the island and as the Greek Cypriots rejected that status.
It was impossible for Turkish Cypriots to accept being represented by the Greek Cypriots in international arena, Talat stated.
Talat said, ''we voiced this view in our meetings in Brussels and the Annan plan was saying the same thing. That is, Turkish Cypriots are represented by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are represented by the Greek Cypriots. The Annan plan says that one of the sides can't dominate the other. We approved it. Therefore, it is not possible for us to establish our relations with the EU through the Greek Cypriots. Not only we will work to harmonize with the EU but also we will discuss structural issues with the EU Center to be opened in our territory.''
''On one hand the Greek Cypriots rejected the plan supported by the entire world, on the other hand they say that they have the right to administer Turkish Cypriots. This is unacceptable. This is Papadopoulos' claim but it won't come true,'' Talat noted.
Asked what his attitude towards election of four Greek Cypriot and two Turkish Cypriot members to the European Parliament (EP) would be, Talat said, ''this can't legally happen since Annan plan is rejected. Six members will be elected from Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot side is trying to show its attitude as legitimate by registering some Turks as electors. But, it is not possible for us to accept it. We propose that four Greek Cypriots and two Turkish Cypriots should be elected. We will be glad if this proposal is accepted by the EP. We conveyed our views about this issue to EP President (Pat) Cox. We said that four Greek Cypriots and two Turkish Cypriots should be elected. Or, we said, four Greek Cypriots should be elected while seats of two Turkish Cypriots should be kept vacant. And, we also said that if it isn't in compliance with the agreement, then two Turkish Cypriots should join EP meetings as observer. And, we laid down all these three proposals to EP.''
Asked whether it would be a legal obstacle before recognition of TRNC by the U.N. in case EU opened an office in TRNC, Talat said, ''no, it won't be an obstacle. There is not such a situation at the moment. We have launched initiatives to end isolation. EU's opening an office in TRNC will be advantageous for us because we will have direct contact with Brussels. This is what we want. And, this is the complaint we have made so far. In fact, they have a small office but its duties are limited. It is only an information office. It gives information about the EU to our people. Now, it will be turned into an office which will work efficiently. And, it will help our harmonization. Therefore, I think it will be very beneficial.''
When asked if Loizidou case could be cancelled or appealed after the result of the referenda, Talat said, ''Loizidou case is over. And, Turkey paid compensation. It can't be appealed. What is important is how these decisions will affect forthcoming cases. I don't know how four thousand suspended cases will be affected. But, I guess if TRNC had said ''no'' to the plan, the Greek Cypriot side would have launched very grave initiatives. Now, I am sure that those grave initiatives will not be launched. I think that the European Court of Human Rights would take its steps after evaluating the current situation.''
Talat went to Brussels on Tuesday upon the invitation of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee.
Speaking in the meeting of the committee on Tuesday, Talat condemned the decision of the Greek Cypriots to reject a solution plan approved by the United Nations (U.N.) and the European Union (EU) and at the same time expressed disappointment over missing a historic opportunity in Cyprus.
Talat later held a press conference in Brussels and noted that lifting of embargo imposed on TRNC was very important.
TRNC and Greek Cypriot side voted U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in simultaneous referenda held on April 24.
Sixty-five percent of Turkish Cypriots voted ''yes'' to the Annan plan while 35.09 percent voted against the plan in the simultaneous referenda. A total of 75.83 percent of the Greek Cypriots said ''no'' to the plan while 24.17 of them voted ''yes.''
The rate of participation in the referendum was 84.35 in TRNC and 96.53 percent in the Greek Cypriot side.
(BRC) 28.04.2004