LEFKOSA (AA) - ''Visit of U.S. congressmen to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is like a kiss of life for reunification of Cyprus and solution efforts'', said TRNC Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer.
Meeting U.S. congressmen who arrived in TRNC yesterday (Monday), Soyer underlined that ''Turkish Cypriots were a legal entity despite statements of (Greek Cypriot leader Tassos) Papadopoulos'', and said, ''we are a nation who has a right to speak as a legal entity, as much as the Greek Cypriots.''
Recalling Papadopoulos' words that U.S. congressmen ''did not enter from a legitimate port'', Soyer said that this was a wrong idea. ''We are as legitimate as they are,'' stressed Soyer.
''It is the Papadopoulos administration which acts contrary to democratic values, encouraging the division. We want peace and solution in this region,'' said Soyer.
-PAPADOPOULOS SHOULD TAKE STEPS-
On the other hand, Ed Whitfield, the chairman of Turkish Friendship Group at the U.S. House of Representatives, called on Papadopoulos to take steps for the reunification of Cyprus and end the blockade against Turkish Cypriots.
Whitfield said that their arrival in Ercan Airport (in TRNC) was a symbolic gesture but should not remain as a symbolic step. Whitfield asked Papadopoulos to make free movement of people and goods, possible.
Wishing that their visit would be the beginning of reunification of the island, Whitfield said that they aimed at ending isolation and starting direct flights to TRNC.
Whitfield said ''we want reunification of Cyprus'' and added that they were ready to contribute. Before meeting Soyer, U.S. congressmen had a meeting with TRNC Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas.
(BRC-ULG)
2005-05-31