Talat stated that the transfer of population from Turkey in occupied Cyprus is not a war crime
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (23.06.08 ) publishes replies by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, to questions Yeni Duzen’s readers asked in its internet side.
Asked if the return to the Republic of Cyprus is an alternative, Mr Talat replied that there is no such alternative.
Asked if the transfer of population from Turkey is a war crime, Mr Talat stated: “If Turkey had committed such a crime there could have been all sorts of international decisions on this issue by now”.
Mr Talat denied that he received his authority from Ankara, and stated he received his authority from the Turkish Cypriots who elected him. He also refuted the statements of the Greek Cypriot side on the issue.
To a question about the establishment of a “Turkish union”, in which Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and a recognized “TRNC” will be members, in case Turkey will not become member of the EU, the Turkish Cypriot leader said that such a thing is not on the agenda for the time being and added that the priority now is the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Replying to a question regarding the issue of properties, Mr Talat stated that this issue will be solved with compensations, exchange of properties and to a degree with return of properties.
To a question about his anger towards the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, Mr Talat stated that in the agreement there were elements which were not agreed between him and President Demetris Christofias on the 23rd of May.
(CS)
http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/A ... enDocument