WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said that visit of U.S. Congress members to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was in line with U.S. laws and international agreements, adding that there is a different milieu now regarding Cyprus issue.
Holding a news conference on Tuesday, Boucher said that at the moment there is a different activity in the United States which is trying to ensure Turkish Cypriots for not feeling isolated. He added that the United States is launching various initiatives to provide this.
When asked whether this visit violated 1944 Chicago international civil aviation agreement, Boucher said that it did not violate, adding that they examined it and approved U.S. passports for travel. He noted that there are U.S. diplomats who visit that region and they did not violate agreements.
U.S. Congress members headed by Ed Whitfield, the chairman of Turkey Caucus at the U.S. House of Representatives, landed in TRNC via Ercan Airport on Monday and held meetings with TRNC officials.
2005-06-01