President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday (31 May) received a new US delegation headed by Congressman Jim Colby. Speaking after the meeting, President Talat stressed the desire of the Turkish Cypriots for peace and the need for an immediate settlement because the current status quo of the Turkish Cypriot people could not carry on.

For his part, Congressman Jim Colby, pointing out that they were carrying out studies regarding the foreign aid programme, said his meeting with President Talat had been very useful and he was optimistic that a way would be found to restart the Cyprus negotiation process which would lead to the island's reunification. Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot 'yes' vote on the Annan Plan was greatly appreciated, Congressman Colby said the referendum was unsuccessful because of the Greek Cypriot side's 'no' vote. He added that all Americans were waiting for the day to see a united Cyprus.

The US Congressional delegation, who arrived on a two-day visit to the TRNC on 30 May, yesterday (31 May) met with Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Serdar Denktas.

Speaking during the meeting, Prime Minister Soyer stressing that the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people on the island was legitimate, said the Turkish Cypriot people had the same rights and was as legitimate as the Greek Cypriots on the island. He said it was the Papadopoulos administration, who by acting contrary to the EU, democratic values of the world and by continuing to pursue its separatist policies, was the illegitimate side. Prime Minister Soyer also underlined that the will of the Turkish Cypriot side for peace and settlement.

Continuing, Prime Minister Soyer said: "For us, this visit is the kiss of life in our struggle to unite Cyprus and find a settlement because, despite all the allegations made by Papadopoulos, the Turkish Cypriot side is a legitimate existence and has just as much right to be on this land as the Greek Cypriots".

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot side wanted peace and a settlement, the Prime Minister said: "We want the people of Cyprus, Turkey and Greece to live in political equality and peace within the framework of EU norms and world democratic values. Our struggle will continue and we will reach to achieve these values".

For his part, the head of the US Congressional delegation, Congressman Ed Whitfield said the impression they got from their contacts was that the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos had no intention of reuniting Cyprus and he was trying to rule the whole country.

Indicating that they wanted to end the Turkish Cypriot side's isolation, Congressman Whitfield said: "Our message is that there is no reason, whatsoever, for isolating the Turkish Cypriots, either economically or in other areas. Our aim is to ensure this the realization of this".

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Serdar Denktas, speaking during a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers Association yesterday (31 May) said, when the Greek Cypriot Leader, Tassos Papadopoulos' policies were considered it was evident that a settlement was not near.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot side was ready for bilateral talks, Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas said in order to achieve a positive outcome from these talks they would continue in their search for a settlement which would not ignore the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to the property cases filed by Greek Cypriots against Turkish Cypriots, he said no one should be worried about these cases because the Turkish Cypriot side would undertake the necessary legal struggle.

Stating that the property issue was a political not a legal struggle, Minister Denktas said the Turkish Cypriot side was waiting for the Greek Cypriot side to reach a common settlement but, the Greek Cypriot side's intransigent stance and approach regarding the Turkish Cypriot people was an important indicator that the Greek Cypriot side didn't want to reach a settlement. He said while the Turkish Cypriot side was engaging in efforts for peace, the Greek Cypriot side once more demonstrated just how reliable they were on this issue.