Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat stated that it would be good to reduce the number of UN Peace Forces and to change the definition of their duty. Prime Minister pointed out that following the opening of the borders and the measures taken for the Maronites and the Greek Cypriots living in North, the UN Peace Forces’ power within the borders of the TRNC had been diminished.

Prime Minister Talat yesterday (26 August), referring to the studies for restructuring UN Peace Forces in the island, pointed out that a UN delegation would come to the island at the beginning of September in order to contact the two sides on this issue. Continuing Prime Minister said:

"It is necessary to reduce the number of UN Peace Forces. There is no need for 1000 soldiers any more. However, because the Cyprus problem has not yet been settled, the existence of the UN Peace Forces in the island is still necessary. It would be more appropriate if they function as a police and at the Green Line".

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot administration who were against a settlement in Cyprus wanted the continuation of the UN Peace Forces’ existence on the island without being subject to any change in number and duty, Prime Minister said:

"The Greek Cypriot administration is insisting on keeping the UN Peace Forces in the island at the same position, so they are trying to relate the Cyprus issue to the ‘existence of the Turkish troops in the island’. The Greek Cypriot side wants the continuation of their status quo by using the UN Peace Forces. They prevent a settlement and at the same time they want the continuation of the UN Peace Forces in the island. These are contradictory behaviours."

Autonomous Missing Persons Committee will meet on Monday (30 August) after 4 years break. The meeting will take place at UN-controlled Ledra Palace Hotel.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas stated that during the first meeting the issue of the place of the DNA tests will be taken up and the continuation of the Committee’s studies will be discussed.

Stating that he did not want to speak in detail before the meeting and the evaluations would be made after the meeting, Serdar Denktas said the Turkish Cypriot side requested the meeting to take place.

Foreign Minister Denktas stated that the appointment of a UN representative to the committee formed by 3 persons will be made after the studies began. The said Committee is formed by a Turkish Cypriot, Rustem Tatar, a Greek Cypriot Iliyas Georgiades and a UN acting representative, Pierre Guberan.