LEFKOSA - End of isolation of Turkish Cypriots depended on United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan's report expected to be presented to the UN Security Council in the following week, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Thursday.
Talat told reporters that the report would set policies of the coming years.
''Of course, it will be the first time that positive attitude of the Turkish Cypriots will be emphasized in the report. It will be the first time that negative attitude of the Greek Cypriots will be criticized. It will probably be so because UN Secretary General clearly stated it for several times after the (simultaneous) referenda (held in the island on April 24.) Therefore, we are waiting for the report. Turkish Foreign Ministry and the world are waiting for the report,'' Talat said.
Talat pointed out that ending of isolation and many measures were depended on the report.
Steps to be taken by not only the United States but also other countries to end embargo on Turkish Cypriots would be seen after the report was submitted to UN Security Council, Talat said.
Talat noted that Turkey and TRNC had no difference of opinion and assumed a harmonious political stance.
When he was recalled about the right given to Turkish Cypriot local administrations to be represented under the title of ''Cyprus Republic'' in the Council of Europe (COE) local and regional administrations general assembly, Talat said, ''it is a big mistake and gaffe.''
Talat went on saying, ''the current situation is a little bit different in respect with municipalities. Three seats are filled by the Greek Cypriots in local administrations. One of the seats is emptied to be filled by a Turkish Cypriot who will be represented under the title of 'Cyprus Republic'. This is the negative side of the issue. What is more painful is contribution of representatives of Turkey in this result. This is a big mistake and gaffe.''
''This decision is not different from our situation before the referenda. If Turkish Cypriots had accepted to join these organizations under the umbrella of the Greek Cypriot administration representing entire Cyprus, they would have joined. The same situation is valid today. Therefore, there is not any negative course, but there is not any betterment either. This issue should be perceived so. This means that we can't fulfil our duty. I don't want to accuse anybody, but we should work more to gain advantages,'' Talat said.
Asked if he discussed the issue with Ankara, Talat said that he discussed the issue with Ankara, but Ankara could not receive any definite or clear information yet.
Talat noted that they would investigate the issue, adding, ''but, it has happened. And, in a sense, Turkish side hit itself in the leg. This is what has happened.''
(BRC-AÖ) 27.05.2004