Cyprus-Forum.com

[brother]

Talat: We Are Ready For Talks
Published: 5/7/2005




LEFKOSA (AA) - TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat replied to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopulos (who said he didn't believe reaching a solution in Cyprus before October 3rd), by saying that ''we are ready for talks and to find a solution before October 3rd (when Turkey will start entry talks with EU).''
Talat stressed that Papadopoulos's demand regarding the withdrawal of 30,000 Turkish troops from the island was a 'wishful thinking' on the way of returning back to pre-1974 period, and that was not a realistic demand.

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Talat said that ''we are ready for a solution acceptable for Turkish Cypriots and we can be flexible for that. But this flexibility should only lead to a solution that will guarantee the security and basic rights of Turkish Cypriot people.''
Talat said that Papadopoulos's recent remarks showed that he didn't want a solution on the island before October 3rd, stressing that 'it takes two to tango' as regards a solution.
''There are things which UN Secretary General requests from the Greek Cypriot side. We ask for the resumption of the talks immediately when Greek Cypriots meet those demands,'' Talat said.
On the withdrawal of Turkish troops Talat indicated: ''If the problem was that, the UN resolutions would ask for withdrawal of Turkish army and let the Greek Cypriots be sovereign on the north of the island. But this is not the case. UN wants to see the establishment of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation on the island... Under the Annan plan, Turkish soldiers will withdraw, but step-by-step and only when the security on the island is assured''.



http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=41628



So what does everyone else make of this, if Tassos is for peace he will respond to this and if he does not then can there be any doubt about his partition plans

[Viewpoint]

Well said Talat, balls still in Papadops court. Lets see what Papdops response will be.