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Talat looks to united Cyprus
Agencies / Wire Services 27.AUG.08
Turkish Cypriot Leader Mehmet Ali Talat has stated that he expects an outcome from the negotiations process by the end of this year.

The negotiations are scheduled to begin next week.

"There is a sufficient accumulation of work," said Talat in an interview earlier this month.

"I expect progress by the end of this year, and solution in the beginning of 2009. If a solution is to be found, it will be found in a short time."

Mr Talat was speaking during an interview with the TAK News Agency.

Talat said that they have undertaken all issues at the stage of initiating the negotiations. He added that both sides put forward their positions and introduced alternatives for some.

"We have talked about all issues, including administrative issues, judicial issues, property, security, execution, legislation."

He stated that there is rapprochement on certain issues and huge differences over others.

"However, what we have done so far is to put forward our positions," said Talat.

"Give-and-take and detailed discussions will take place during negotiations."

Asked to give examples Talat said: "There is agreement over the fact that there will be two parliaments. But there is difference over how parliamentary elections will take place. There is agreement over the fact that there will be political equality. But there is no complete agreement over how this will be implemented."

On guarantees and security Talat said:

"During the Annan Plan negotiations, guarantees and security was the only issue on which there was an agreement. The Greek Cypriot side did not even bring up this issue.

"After the failure of the plan however, they tried to present this issue as the number one problem. Former Greek Cypriot President Papadopoulos presented this issue as a serious obstacle because he knew that it is very difficult to change the guarantee agreements. Therefore, this is quite an artificial problem."

On the issue of rotating presidency, Talat said: "There is no agreement over this issue but Christofias has announced that he accepts rotating presidency in principle. The sides have put forward their positions regarding the duration."

Talat did not go into detail stating that this should be discussed on the negotiations table, not through the media. When asked whether he would confirm reports originating from the Greek Cypriot administration on this issue, Talat said he would not.

Talat stated that the issue over which there is huge difference between the sides is the property issue. Property "is the issue that concerns me the most," said Talat.

"It is a 45-year-old problem and it closely concerns every individual... It is a difficult, complex and an expensive problem."

Mr Talat stated that the two sides have put forward their positions and introduced various alternatives. When asked to go into detail, He said that there is exchange, restitution and compensation but refused to give further details.

"These are positions," said Talat. "They will become proposals on the negotiations table. The positions may also change on the negotiations table."

Talat also said that territorial adjustments, which will determine the borders of the constituent states, will be another difficult issue.

"The map will only be discussed provided there is progress towards an agreement," added Talat. "Because discussing the map would create difficulties in our daily lives. It would affect the economic activities."

TAK/Translation / FAM GAZETTE NIC/1 - Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2008





Reader Opinions
nondas
AUG 26 • I do not believe that Talat or eny other Turkish Cypriot leader is free or able to negociate a Cyprus settlement with out the guidance and approval of Turkey's governmet which is enforcing its expansion policies.

Talat or any body else Turkish Cypriot leader in the the occupied 37% of Cyprus is indeed a pawn of Ankara. Ankara is intransigent and so far did not even draw an inch back from the occupied Cyprus territory,with out any conssessions and without any reconciliation from Ankara's intransigent stand, we can not even dream for a JUST FAIR, FUNCTIONAL DEMOCRATIC Cyprus settlement in the near future.

All this sad theatrical play,or ploy is just another drama and conspiracy to inflict the final blow to the Greek Cypriots who are the only victims in Cyprus conspiracy. Cyprus problem is that of the1974 Turkish invasion,and illegal 37% occupation of Cyprus with 200,000 Greek Cypriots refugees,and more than 1,500 missing,the looting and destruction of the religeous herritage, and pillage of the Greek cultural herritage. As long as the illegal Attila Turkish army of occupation remains in Cyprus there will not be a JUST and Viable FUNCTIONAL settlement.Denktash, Talat or any other ,are strictly following the orders of Ankara's expansionism

I am not sure how we can have 2 Parliaments in one United Cyprus? How effective will this be? and why two? surely if there is a united country under a federal sytem we would have two state governments ie north / south as well as the fedral Governement which has some responsibilities ie police force, secuity, health and education.

Surely there that would make more sense. I would have thought that at least we would have two State governments made up of North state 50% : 50%a South State 50% : 50% and the federal Government made up of 15% TC and 48% GC 2% Other