NEW YORK - Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said, ``a society can make a decision only about its own future. The Greek Cypriot side has decided to maintain the division on the island by voting `no` in the twin referendums on April 24, 2004. Its decision can bind only itself, not us.``
Talat, who came to New York, the United States, as the guest of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, met with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday.
Replying to questions of journalists following his meeting with Annan, Talat stressed, ``any other society should not have the right to impose isolation against Turkish Cypriot people. During my meeting with United Nations Secretary General Annan, I conveyed my vies about lifting of unfair embargoes and isolation against Turkish Cypriot people. I believe that Mr. Annan understood it.``
``Turkish Cypriot people have displayed an attitude in favor of solution in a long process. They displayed an attitude in favor of unification while Greek Cypriot people assumed an attitude for continuation of the division. The international community should evaluate these results of the referendums. Therefore, unfair isolation against us should be lifted. Turkish Cypriots should be freed, should have international contacts, should have access to the world, the international system, and removal of the isolation will be the best for the time being. And this was our request from Mr. Annan. Specifically, Turkish Cypriots will like an end to flight, travel, economic and trade restrictions and the lack of foreign investment as well as sports exchanges,`` he said.
Upon a question, Talat told reporters, ``I believe that United Nations Secretary General Annan`s report will reflect the facts. Since the situation is in favor of us, we do not need to be worried. We are aware of importance of Annan`s report. Despite all criticisms, we fulfilled our responsibilities step by step in line with the schedule. Thus, those who voted `no` in the referendums should undertake responsibility of the consequences of the referendums.``
Noting that he did not expect any developments in the short-term about unification of the island, Prime Minister Talat added, ``first of all, we should wait for United Nations Secretary General Annan`s report. Maybe, he has not made a certain decision yet. On the other hand, how will you change the Greek Cypriot side`s 75 percent negative votes into positive votes? According to my point of view, it can be achieved only by lifting embargoes and isolations imposed on TRNC for years. Then, the Greek Cypriot side will realize that their attitude is wrongful, and change their mind.``
Meanwhile, sources told the A.A correspondent that the meeting between Prime Minister Talat and United Nations Secretary General Annan was quite successful.
Sources said that TRNC Prime Minister conveyed his request for lifting of political and economic isolation against Turkish Cypriot people.
The same sources added that United Nations Secretary General was closely interested in situation of the Turkish Cypriot side.
(UK-AÖ) 04.05.2004
NEW YORK - Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said, ``a society can make a decision only about its own future. The Greek Cypriot side has decided to maintain the division on the island by voting `no` in the twin referendums on April 24, 2004. Its decision can bind only itself, not us.``
Talat, who came to New York, the United States, as the guest of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, met with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday.
Replying to questions of journalists following his meeting with Annan, Talat stressed, ``any other society should not have the right to impose isolation against Turkish Cypriot people. During my meeting with United Nations Secretary General Annan, I conveyed my vies about lifting of unfair embargoes and isolation against Turkish Cypriot people. I believe that Mr. Annan understood it.``
``Turkish Cypriot people have displayed an attitude in favor of solution in a long process. They displayed an attitude in favor of unification while Greek Cypriot people assumed an attitude for continuation of the division. The international community should evaluate these results of the referendums. Therefore, unfair isolation against us should be lifted. Turkish Cypriots should be freed, should have international contacts, should have access to the world, the international system, and removal of the isolation will be the best for the time being. And this was our request from Mr. Annan. Specifically, Turkish Cypriots will like an end to flight, travel, economic and trade restrictions and the lack of foreign investment as well as sports exchanges,`` he said.
Upon a question, Talat told reporters, ``I believe that United Nations Secretary General Annan`s report will reflect the facts. Since the situation is in favor of us, we do not need to be worried. We are aware of importance of Annan`s report. Despite all criticisms, we fulfilled our responsibilities step by step in line with the schedule. Thus, those who voted `no` in the referendums should undertake responsibility of the consequences of the referendums.``
Noting that he did not expect any developments in the short-term about unification of the island, Prime Minister Talat added, ``first of all, we should wait for United Nations Secretary General Annan`s report. Maybe, he has not made a certain decision yet. On the other hand, how will you change the Greek Cypriot side`s 75 percent negative votes into positive votes? According to my point of view, it can be achieved only by lifting embargoes and isolations imposed on TRNC for years. Then, the Greek Cypriot side will realize that their attitude is wrongful, and change their mind.``
Meanwhile, sources told the A.A correspondent that the meeting between Prime Minister Talat and United Nations Secretary General Annan was quite successful.
Sources said that TRNC Prime Minister conveyed his request for lifting of political and economic isolation against Turkish Cypriot people.
The same sources added that United Nations Secretary General was closely interested in situation of the Turkish Cypriot side.
(UK-AÖ) 04.05.2004