PRIME MINISTER TALAT: "SHAME ON PAPADOPOULOS"
Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat, strongly criticized the
recent statement made by Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, that the
reason why the Greek Cypriot side was restricting the Turkish Cypriots was
because of their love for them and that the Turkish Cypriots became EU
citizens without paying any price.
Evaluating Papadopoulos' statement as "rude" and
"strange", Prime Minister Talat said: "He shows how much he loves us and
expresses his wish regarding the Turkish Cypriots. Because he loves us so
much, he wants to kill us, annex us to the Greek Cypriot side and expand his
sovereignty over the Turkish Cypriots. Saying that the Turkish Cypriots
didn't pay any price, is a shameful remark. Throughout Cyprus' history and
especially after 1963 it has always been the Turkish Cypriots who have paid
the price. After 1974, the Turkish Cypriots paid the price by being isolated
and subjected to embargoes. It has always been the Turkish Cypriots who have
paid the price. Papadopoulos' remarks demonstrates his level of chauvinism".
ELECTION BAN FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS START
ON 24 FEBRUARY
The Head of the High Electoral Council, Taner Erginel,
stated that the election ban for the forthcoming Presidential elections on
17 April 2005 would start on 24 February. Erginel said he expected the
candidates for the election to be ready on 12 March 2005.
