With the aim of finding a settlement to the Cyprus issue on the basis of the Annan Plan before 1 May 2004, the new round of talks, which began last Thursday (February 19), restarted today (February 24) at 9:30am at the UN Conference Centre in the Lefkosa International Airport. Following the first two meetings, there was a three-day break in the talks because of an official Greek Cypriot public holiday.

In today’s third meeting, which is being carried out under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, it is expected that the two leaders will discuss the core issues.

Headed by TRNC President Rauf Denktas, the TRNC delegation, all day yesterday, continued its studies for today’s meeting.

A fourth committee is also expected to be formed to deal with the flag and national anthem of the new federal state. In last Friday’s (February 20) meeting the two leaders had decided that the names of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot members, who would work in this fourth committee would be submitted to the UN General Secretariat this Wednesday (February 25).

Also within the framework of the decision taken in last Friday’s meeting, studies are continuing to determine the names of the judges, three from each side and three foreigners, that will make up the judiciary organ.

Referring to Greek Cypriot news reports regarding the Greek Cypriot Administration’s efforts to modernize their weapons, the TRNC Prime Minister, Mehmet Ali Talat, said when it’s considered that the island will be demilitarized as part of an agreement, this approach by the Greek Cypriot side was illogical. The Prime Minister said it was difficult to understand whether they want a settlement or not.

Pointing out that there was a timetable for the settlement process and no going back from this process, Prime Minister Talat said he had received information regarding the Greek Cypriot Administration’s efforts to modernize its weapon and added that if this was true he found it difficult to understand the mentality behind this.

Stressing that Greek Cypriot rearmament efforts were unacceptable, the Prime Minister said: "The Greek Cypriot Administration’s approach and stance, especially during the process that we are in and by openly encouraging demonstrations carried out by an organization which functions as the PKK terrorist organization, is not a stance that can be tolerated and accepted. I believe that giving up this stance and displaying real friendship and sincerity and refraining from such approaches aimed at encouraging animosity, is the best approach to be followed at this time. Within this framework, rapprochement between the two parties, peoples and communities can only be achieved if such tensions are eliminated and if they start to consider demilitarization instead of rearmament".

The TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Serdar Denktas, yesterday received the Head of the Supreme Court, Taner Erginel, and speaking about the latest developments on the Cyprus issue said important difficulties had arisen, which did not stem from the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, and to overcome these initiatives should be taken by the UN and EU.

Pointing out that important obstacles had arisen during the current negotiation process, Serdar Denktas said he hoped these would be overcome and the environment for reaching a solution would be created.

Evaluating the last five days since the start of the negotiations as "five lost days", Serdar Denktas said during these five days, no core issues were discussed.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot side was preparing for today’s (February 24) negotiations, he said they were discussing which issues should be taken up so as to move on to the stage of having comprehensive negotiations.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to discuss all issues, Serdar Denktas said the Turkish Cypriot side was continuing with its studies, without any interruptions, and approximately 60 people had worked on the sub-committees over the weekend.

Yesterday (February 23) afternoon, two Turkish journalists, Aslan Menguc, ‘Channel T’ television’s News Editor and Istanbul News Agency cameraman, Gurol Sekerler, were assaulted by Greek Cypriot police at the Greek Cypriot Ledra Palace check point while trying to cross over to the South for interviews.

Contrary to the procedures that have been implemented up until today, the two Turkish journalists were obstructed by Greek Cypriot police from crossing over to the South and on asking why they were being prevented from crossing over, Greek Cypriot police assaulted the cameraman alleging that he was filming and damaged his camera.

Following this incident, many journalists went to the Ledra Palace check point, where they were told by Greek Cypriot police that from now on journalists of Turkish origin, except for the days when TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, meet, could not cross over to the South without obtaining the necessary permission from the Greek Cypriot Public Information Office. Greek Cypriot police said that this new decision had been taken yesterday (February 23).