NEW YORK - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell at the UN building in New York on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Talat said that the United States had prepared a technical and legal work on lifting of isolation policies and embargo imposed on the TRNC and they would announce the results of it in coming days.
The meeting which was close to press lasted nearly half an hour. After the meeting, Talat and Powell shook hands before reporters.
Noting that it was a quite positive meeting, Talat said, ``Turkish Cypriot people have fulfilled their duty by voting in favor of solution in the referendum. Now it is the turn of the international community which should fulfil its duties and responsibilities and lift isolation of the TRNC and embargo on Turkish Cypriots. I believe that also the international community has understood after these latest developments that this unfair isolation should be lifted. Actually, my meeting with Mr. Powell has proven it.``
Noting that he had stressed at the meeting that a community should not be punished due to a decision made by another community or a negative attitude of another community, Talat said Powell had told him that he understood the situation well.
When a Greek Cypriot reporter asked him when Turkish troops would withdraw from Cyprus and whether they had discussed the issue during the meeting, Talat said, ``it was the Greek Cypriot side which voted for remaining of Turkish soldiers on the island. The Turkish Cypriot side voted in favor of solution.`` Talat who completed his meetings in New York will start his meetings in Washington on Wednesday.
(MS) 04.05.2004
NEW YORK - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell at the UN building in New York on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Talat said that the United States had prepared a technical and legal work on lifting of isolation policies and embargo imposed on the TRNC and they would announce the results of it in coming days.
The meeting which was close to press lasted nearly half an hour. After the meeting, Talat and Powell shook hands before reporters.
Noting that it was a quite positive meeting, Talat said, ``Turkish Cypriot people have fulfilled their duty by voting in favor of solution in the referendum. Now it is the turn of the international community which should fulfil its duties and responsibilities and lift isolation of the TRNC and embargo on Turkish Cypriots. I believe that also the international community has understood after these latest developments that this unfair isolation should be lifted. Actually, my meeting with Mr. Powell has proven it.``
Noting that he had stressed at the meeting that a community should not be punished due to a decision made by another community or a negative attitude of another community, Talat said Powell had told him that he understood the situation well.
When a Greek Cypriot reporter asked him when Turkish troops would withdraw from Cyprus and whether they had discussed the issue during the meeting, Talat said, ``it was the Greek Cypriot side which voted for remaining of Turkish soldiers on the island. The Turkish Cypriot side voted in favor of solution.`` Talat who completed his meetings in New York will start his meetings in Washington on Wednesday.
(MS) 04.05.2004