LEFKOSA - Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos evaded meeting him.
Speaking to reporters prior to a TRNC Council of Ministers meeting, Talat said, ''we were corresponding through mediators and I said I was hoping to meet him. I conveyed my message also through (Greek Cypriot main opposition DISY leader) Anastasiades but Papadopoulos rejected it. And he said as a pretext that such a meeting would mean recognition of political equality of Turkish Cypriots. Besides he thinks that a meeting between me and him, should happen outside the UN umbrella. However, he went all out for direct talks before the referenda. Talks are held under the UN umbrella, of course, but it does not prevent a direct talk. We can resolve specific points only in tete-a-tete meetings.'' -NEW BORDER PASS-
On the other hand, Talat said that preparations were under way for Bostanci pass which is planned to be opened as the fourth border crossing between the TRNC and Greek Cypriot side.
''We have not received a response from the United Nations yet. The United Nations has to negotiate the matter with the Greek Cypriot side and the pass will be opened. We are ready to construct a road on our side and we will give the start for construction soon after approval by the United Nations. The remaining part of the road has to be constructed by Greek Cypriots. Meanwhile, there is expropriation issue in the buffer zone and this should be organized by the United Nations,'' Talat said.
(MS-ULG) 11.08.2004