President Talat of N Cyprus Receives U.S. Congressmen

LEFKOSA (AA) - President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday, ``if the international community displays the same determination with the U.S. congressmen, integration process of Turkish Cypriots with the international system will start.``
     President Talat received the U.S. congressmen delegation headed by Ed Whitfield, the co-chairman of the Turkish Friendship Group at the U.S. House of Representatives.
     Holding a news conference following the meeting, President Talat said, ``there were intense pressure on the delegation to cancel their visit to the TRNC. However, the delegation displayed a praiseworthy determination, and insisted on paying the visit.``
     Recalling that the Turkish Cypriots supported UN Secretary General Kofi Annan`s plan in last year`s referendum, President Talat said, ``if the international community displays the same determination with the U.S. congressmen, integration process of Turkish Cypriots with the international system will start. Then, we can resume negotiations in a more meaningful way.``
     (UK-A֩
2005-05-30