by brother » Thu Apr 14, 2005 4:10 pm
Talat alleges that the world will isolate President Papadopoulos;
He sees tension on the issue of the opening of Turkish Cypriot school in Limassol
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (14.04.05) publishes an interview given by Mehmet Ali Talat, the so-called Prime Minister of the occupation regime and candidate for the "presidency".
In statements to KIBRIS TV Mr Talat alleged that the President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, will be isolated by the world. He also expressed the opinion that tension will be created regarding the issue of opening a Turkish Cypriot school in Limassol.
Responding to a question, Mr Talat claimed: "Papadopoulos rejects many things without rejecting them, just as he does with the Turkish primary school in Limassol. You will see that the opening of the primary school in Limassol will not be possible. If this mentality continues, this will be difficult. Furthermore, it will cause tensions as well. This will be also reflected on the school in Karpass. ...".
Asked whether he finds positive from the point of view of reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem the allegedly increasing accusations by the world against President Papadopoulos, Mr Talat argued:
"Of course it is positive. And I am alleging again that Papadopoulos is definitely going towards the isolation. No one today says that Papadopoulos is right, including France and Russia. There is a positive trend. The world will isolate Papadopoulos. We have this capacity and capability. That is why I want a high percentage of votes and a big support".
Asked whether or not the Turkish side could make a step backwards on the issue of the Greek Cypriot high school in Karpass peninsula and close it down, Mr Talat answered:
"Why should we? Could we possibly say this? At this moment we are not doing something legal. The Karpass high school and the primary school have been opened with an administrative decision. They have no legal basis. Today the Ministry of Education should close this school down, but this is a political decision. The European Council asks us about this. The Council asks: 'According to which criteria you have opened this school?' If we make a law, the Greek Cypriots will say 'I am not recognizing your law' and will not send students to the school. Therefore, I cannot make a law. When the Greek Cypriot side opens a school in Limassol, it will do it within the framework of its own law. We shall also make a law because the Council exerts pressure. Then I do not know if there will be a reaction by the Greek Cypriot side".