Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

More unites us than divides

Ozcan Ozcanhan ,
Sat down for an exclusive interview with TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat to discuss issues ranging from the Cyprus Problem to the global economic crisis.

Q: Mr. President, there will be parliamentary elections soon, what will be your next move if the new government and MPs forbid you from talking with Mr. Christofias, ‘re-united Cyprus with single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international identity’, in other words, if there are unexpected developments hindering the accomplishment of your declared mission - to find an equitable, peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem by the end of 2009 or early 2010, how will you continue to work?
A: Elections are part of democracy and elections must always be held. The people will have the final say. What is important is the formation of the new government.

Q: If an uncooperative government comes into office and withdraws your mandate as negotiator at the Cyprus talks, will you not run for the presidency next year, if you consider that there is no chance to achieve your target and if you see a solution is unlikely?
A: I do not think that such a government will be formed. My duty as President and representative of the Turkish Cypriot people is to think about the future of the people. I have been assigned the task to represent the Turkish Cypriot people at the talks. There is no mandate. The opposite side also has a representative. We talk as leaders of the two communities. If our parliament decides to appoint a new negotiator, it will amount to disagreement between the powers. I do not think there will be such a situation. When and if it happens then I will come to a decision. So far, we have not experienced such divergence. I see no possibility for such eventuality because it is equivalent to chaos. I hope the government will support our line of policy, it has to support. Why has it to support? Because it is our national policy. What I am following is not my personal policy. Everyone knows this and Turkey backs our policy. Clash of policies and opposition to the policy line I am following, will mean change in our national policy. Any political party which wins in the parliamentary elections without following the national cause should not say I have won. You also know that the Cyprus problem has not been a topic of the political parties in their elections campaign. This should not mean that our people have abandoned the Cyprus issue. The small reference to the Cyprus problem does not mean our people lost its sensitivity over the Cyprus problem.

Q: After so many meetings with Mr. Christofias, have you noted any concrete progress and how long it will take before you reach agreement. Will the talks take another 40 years before they deliver? I just asked Mr. Downer, after his meeting with you the same question. He said there was progress, that it was a difficult problem and that it would take time to resolve. He was glad that the two leaders were working hard. It is known that you welcome arbitration and a time limit, but the Greek side is opposed to both. Mr. Downer also thinks time limits would not be conducive. This being the position, how long will the talks go on, are there any issues you have agreed upon? What are they? The Greek side sometimes, leaks to their media. Have you not anything to disclose to your people?
A: You are right. I do not disclose to the people. But, I regularly inform their representatives, the political parties. The issues we have agreed upon are more than the pending questions we have not reached agreement. I believe that informing the representatives of the people is enough. No discussions and bargaining are done openly before the eyes of the people. Leakages do occur, it is by the Greek side, I believe. Apparently everybody knows. There remains nothing secret. We have reached agreement on many issues. Of course, there are matters we have not come to an agreement. But what we have agreed upon is more than what we have not agreed. As you know, we have to agree on all issues. Unless that is done there is no agreement. You know that we support a time duration for the talks but the other side is opposed. Our aim is to solve the problem before the end of 2009. Turkey’s EU membership process also matters. Therefore, we see the end of 2009 as a time limit. The date of a referendum may be delayed. If the delay lasts until after our Presidential elections there may be setbacks.

Q: If your expectations do not materialise, will you run for the Presidency, for a second term? How will you continue to struggle for the accomplishment of your mission?
A: If serious steps on the way to a settlement are taken I will run. What I say is that if a possibility of a solution vanishes then I will not be a candidate. This is what I said openly, clearly.

Q: You were expected to have a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It did not take place because of the Greek-Greek Cypriot opposition and lobby. Has this meeting been cancelled and shelved altogether or has it been postponed?
A: No, it has not been cancelled. It may take place in future. I had not been formally invited. There was only a sounding to me and there was talk of a possible meeting on 30 March. I was asked by American officials, if 30 March was suitable for me. I said yes it was OK. Some time later the US Ambassador informed me that Hillary Clinton would not be available, but that the matter would remain on their agenda. We had not asked for such a rendezvous. It was mentioned by the Americans. If an invitation is extended, I will gladly perform.

Q: You recall the 1977-1979 Makarios-Denktas and Kyprianou-Denktas Summit Accords. Agreement was reached and re-affirmed that the sides had agreed on a “bizonal, bicommunal federation, based on political equality.” Why has it not been implemented and why are you trying to find another settlement. Is there a possibility of returning to those accords or the 1960 structure? What would the Greek Cypriot side do if the Turkish side demanded its legitimate rights in the partnership Cyprus republic?
A: A return to 1960 is impossible. It is a figment of imagination. Much water has flowed under many bridges. Most important of all, two separate states have come to being.

Q: But are they not both de facto? The international Cyprus agreements prevail, don’t they? Until and unless superseded by new agreements
A: Maybe. Those agreements are another issue. Going back to 1960 will amount to discarding and wiping out all developments after 1963.

Q: What happened to the two seats of Turkish Cypriots in the EU Parliament? Have you asked?
A: I have written to the EU. But, you cannot force or press for those seats. We demanded the representation of Turkish Cypriots as observers. So far, we have received no response.

Q: Is it not true that the EU, the UN, Britain and others involved in the Cyprus impasse, are pressing for a speed up in the continuing talks and search for a Cyprus settlement?
A: Since there is no such pressure on us, I do not think there is any pressure on the Greek side either.

Q: What about the EU’s increasing involvement and the 259 million euro aid to the Turkish Cypriots? Are they not now more frequently everywhere and having meetings with you and other Turkish Cypriot officials?
A: We are not opposed in any way to EU aid and involvement. They are welcome. Our doors are open. Let them come more frequently.

Q: Let me now ask you about a much publicised and disputed issue. About the Turkish ERGENEKON inquiries and the legal investigations, which extend to North Cyprus. The Prime Minister has stated certain names and alleged that the Turkish Attorney General should also investigate here.
A: There continues a legal process. The Turkish Attorney is investigating and gathering information. It would not be appropriate for a politician to talk about it. Views can be expressed. I have been following press reports. The Prime Minister has appealed to our Attorney General to start proceedings. We have an agreement with Turkey to cooperate on legal and judicial matters. The TRNC Attorney can ask the Turkish Attorney for help and can offer help, if need be.

Q: Has the TRNC asked or offered to assist?
A: I do not know. If TRNC prosecution officers start inquiries based on press reports, I do not know how far they will be able to proceed without aid from Turkish Attorney General.

Q: Mr. President, this is a small country. People know that you had a meting with the Attorney General today?
A: Yes, we did meet. But, we did not discuss this case. We talked about, utterly other matters.

Q: Let us turn to the Cyprus problem before ending this interview? Supposing you have come to a certain agreement. What will happen if any of the three guarantors - Turkey, Britain and Greece - refuses to endorse it?
A: You know very well that the signatures of the guarantors are necessary for the implementation of any solution agreement.

Q: The global economic crisis has rocked the whole world. Cyprus is no exemption. Has the TRNC government taken any measures to minimise the effects? Have you urged the government?
A: As you have said. It is a global crisis. Its effects here are normal. The government has introduced a series of measures. For instance it has reduced taxes, VAT and other rates, charges and fees, it has attempted to minimise the adverse effects of the crisis. Its means are very limited. The cause of the crisis is not the local government. The cause is neither the Greek Cypriot nor the Turkish Cypriot governments. The arch cause is the United States and their unlimited borrowing. It is a result of the capitalist system and gluttony of the US population.

Q: Have you received any financial aid from outside sources to counter the crisis?
A: Only Turkey has extended a helping hand. We know that Turkey herself is affected but has not spared her assistance for us. I think we will feel the effects of the crisis at mounting levels for at least a year. Not only economically but also psychologically.

Q: Mr. President have you any good news for both the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots, such as the opening of Yesilirmak-Limnitis crossing point, west of the island, in the near future? Mr. Downer, whom you know, has been telling me about goodwill and confidence building measures.
A: We have not displayed a negative stand on the opening of the Limnitis crossing. The Greek Cypriots do not seem to understand. We do not oppose the opening. They attempt to connect the opening of the Ledra Crossing in Nicosia with that of Limnitis. There is definitely no connection and no condition. We explained the reasons why the Ledra checkpoint should be opened. They did not understand. They believe that opening of the Ledra crossing was on condition that we would open Limnitis.