ISTANBUL - Mehmet Ali Talat, the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Saturday that the invitation made from the United States for his visit was a sign that TRNC became a more respectable country even if it was not recognized as administration and state.
Talat arrived in Turkey completing his visits in the United States.
Speaking at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Talat said the two different results that were obtained in the twin referenda held in two sides on Cyprus prevented solution of Cyprus question.
Talat said although the problem was not solved, the 65 percent ''yes'' vote of the Turkish side changed point of view of the world toward Turkish Cypriot people.
Talat said the accusation made so far that Turkish Cypriots were intransigent was no more possible.
Talat said, ''my visit to the United States is a sign that TRNC becomes a respectable country even if it is not recognized as an administration and state. We should perceive the invitation in this respect. The idea which I and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell put forth is that isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people, who carried out a compromising policy with the world, is meaningless. They showed understanding to our request. They said U.S. was of the same opinion.''
Talat said, ''they said it could not be thought that Turkish Cypriots would be punished with the decision of Greek Cypriots, and that they were getting prepared to take measures to eliminate isolation policy toward the Turkish Cypriot side. They said they were reviewing all their policies in this respect.''
(AY) 08.05.2004