Cyprus-Forum.com

[RAFAELLA]

Turkish Cypriots prepare to go to the European Courts of Human Rights (ECHR) to claim damages.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat said Friday, May 27, that they could not claim their rights for years for fear that the "ECHR would give the right to apply to Greek Cypriots, too", but now they will apply to the ECHR themselves.

Declaring that Turks have nearly 500-600 losses, which include women and children, Talat said that the ECHR quashed a case they opened in 1964 over the losses because of a lack of policy and the plaintiff's allegations were supported.

At the breakfast he had with the editor-in-chiefs of several newspapers in the Istanbul Swiss Hotel on May 27, President Talat evaluated the developments concerning Cyprus. Reminding that the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan will send his political affairs envoy to Cyprus, Talat noted that negotiations might resume before October 3 if the Greek Cypriot administration takes a step that will satisfy Annan.

Upon the question, "If Greek Cypriots do not express their views, will everything start from scratch?" the President responded, "Nothing has started from scratch in the past." The TRNC leader indicated that they do not know exactly what Greek Cypriots try to do, but there is a limit to the patience of world opinion as well.

President Talat has the view that the appendix protocol Turkey has promised to sign will not mean recognition of Greek Cyprus. But calling attention that problems may occur in implementation, Talat declared that Turkey might consequently face pressure. The TRNC Leader emphasized, however, that Turkey must continue its attitude related to the ports. "We have only one trump card against the European Union (EU) with Greek Cypriots administration is in, it is boycott. Unless Greek Cypriots lift the boycott, we should not lift it either. We have the chance to resist after the sign since we are boycotted. We cannot do export with EU countries, "TRNC President Talat reported that Greek Cypriots will have more advantages since Turkey's share will be $62 million from a pie of $4 billion, and the direct flights.

He met with the press

President Talat evaluated the latest developments during the breakfast at The Swissotel. Zaman Daily's Executive Editor in Chief Ekrem Dumanli, Sabah Daily's Executive Editor in Chief Ergun Babahan, Milliyet Daily's Executive Editor in Chief Nurcan Akad, Vatan Daily's Executive Editor in Chief Tayfun Devecioglu and Yeni Safak Daily's Executive Editor in Chief Selahattin Sadikoglu participated in the breakfast.

Highlights of Talat's remarks as follows:

Turkey should maintain the boycott

Turkey should continue to close its seaports to Greek Cypriot ships. Our only card that we can play while the Greek side is in the EU is the boycott and we should say "Let's get rid of the restrictions all together."

I have my red lines too

Who could ever imagine that I would be elected as the president after that much provocation against me? Even [Rauf] Denktas was not elected in the first round of the last elections. Our most important goals in the way to the solution of the problems are political equality and conserving a bi-zonal structure.

Our economy recovers

The Annan Plan contributed to us a great deal and we began to focus on our economic condition. You should notice that, even now you cannot find economic issues in Denktas's speeches. The realities should not be veiled.

We do not buy electricity from the Greeks

We do not even buy one cent of electricity from the Greek side. This is a devilish propaganda. Greeks are talking about the period between 1974-1994. We have not bought electricity from them for ten years since 1995, but even Turkish public opinion thinks that we buy electricity from the Greek side.

Integration in line with the EU

The Integration of Turkey and the TRNC can be outside the EU, but this is not on the agenda now. Integration in line with the EU is always possible. As former Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, "independent in internal affairs, dependent in foreign affairs" is not a solution.

Adaptation cannot be guaranteed

It is a fact that Denktas applied his policies with the help of Turkey. I do so too. I am evaluating the events and act in accordance with Turkey's EU policies. But no one can guarantee that the accordance will not be dismissed, and disaccord causes failure.

USA is more effective than EU

The USA is more effective than EU. Even a delegation's visit can be very effective. The EU can make this kind of action rarely. an American Delegation group is coming to Ercan Airport for the first time since 1980. Even the US ambassador is accompanying them.

An article from ZAMAN newspaper
http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international& ... 8&hn=20060