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PRIME MINISTER TALAT: "WE'RE READY TO NEGOTIATE CHANGES IN ANNAN PLAN"
Prime Minister
Mehmet Ali Talat, in an interview given to the Greek Cypriot daily 'Fileleftheros'
stated that the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to negotiate changes to the
Annan Plan as well as put forward the Turkish Cypriot side's proposals to
amend the Annan Plan. Pointing out that future negotiations should be
conducted under the UN umbrella, Prime Minister Talat said the settlement to
be reached could be a slight variation of the Annan Plan.
Calling upon
the Greek Cypriots, Prime Minister Talat said the majority of the Turkish
Cypriots favoured a Cyprus settlement, political equality, the opening of
the crossing points and direct trade and thus temporary measures such as
minor amendments made to the Green Line Regulation, were not of much
interest to him.
During the
interview, explaining that it was obvious the Greek Cypriot Administration
was trying to prevent bicommunal contacts, the Prime Minister also talked
about the opening of a new crossing point at Bostanci.
Explaining that
the Turkish Cypriot side was examining the Greek Cypriot side's proposals
regarding the opening of new crossing points between the two sides, Prime
Minister Talat said because the immediate opening of these crossing points
would require large funds, the Turkish Cypriot side decided to progress one
by one on this issue and the request to open the Bostanci crossing point was
conveyed to the Greek Cypriot Administration via the UN.
Saying that
after several months, the UN conveyed to the Turkish Cypriot side the Greek
Cypriot side's precondition to open another crossing point in Magusa (Derinya)
in exchange for opening the Bostanci crossing point, Prime Minister Talat
said the distance between the Akyar border gate and the proposed point was
only 10 minutes and that this precondition was meaningless.
The Prime
Minister also said the opening of the Uzunyol (Lokmaci) border gate was the
Turkish Cypriot side's second preference and although this had been conveyed
to the Greek Cypriot side they had still not received a response.
Responding to a
question asked regarding a Cyprus settlement, Prime Minister Talat said the
Greek Cypriot Administration should decide what it wants and everyone was
waiting for Papadopoulos and the Greek Cypriot leadership to explain what
they want.
SERDAR DENKTAS: "PROPERTY ISSUE CAN BE SETTLED THROUGH COMPENSATION"
The Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Serdar Denktas, in an
interview given to the Greek Cypriot daily 'Politis', said he didn't believe
a Cyprus settlement would be found in the near future and was certain that
nothing would happen next year (2005) and that perhaps in five years time a
bicommunal, bizonal settlement could be achieved.
Pointing out
that any settlement to be found in the future would certainly be related to
the Annan Plan, Serdar Denktas said a settlement to be found would start
from a confederation model and then later turn into a federation model.
Evaluating the
Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos' proposal to open the Gazi Magusa
port and Varosha, Serdar Denktas said the Gazi Magusa port was currently in
use and this fact was being ignored therefore, the opening of Varosha would
not be beneficial for the Turkish Cypriots.
EFFORTS TO FORM NEW GOVERNMENT
Following the
resignation of the CTP-DP coalition government on 20 October 2004, President
Denktas had appointed Dr. Dervis Eroglu, the leader of the National Unity
Party (UBP) to form the new government on 21 October, and yesterday (1
November), Dr. Dervis Eroglu returned this duty to the President without
waiting for the 15-day period (allowed to form the new government) as stated
in the TRNC Constitution to end.
President
Denktas stated that according to the opinion he had received from the
Attorney-General, in order to decide on a new election date the Constitution
states that a period of 60-days must pass and therefore he could appoint
another political party to form the new government until then. He said he
would consider this and decide after today's (2 November) routine meeting
with Prime Minister Talat.
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