TRNC NEWS HEADLINES

BARGAINING ON THE WAY

It was stated that President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot Administration Leader Dimitris Christofias are coming together today within the framework of comprehensive negotiations.

Moreover, it was stated that after the meeting of the two leaders on 3 September, today, they will discuss ‘administration and power sharing’ issues.

TALAT: “CHRISTOFYAS MAKES NEGOTIATIONS MORE DIFFICULT”

TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat has called on the Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias to speak to him, not to the press. The President said: “If you want something tell me, not to the press. I will do the same` I told Christofias but I could not convince him` “This will make negotiations more difficult and harm bi-communal relations,"

While delivering a speech at the European Policy Centre, a Brussels-based think-tank, Talat expressed the hope that despite differences of views on both sides on variety of issues, with good-will and determination, the full-fledged talks will lead to a solution this time. He also said that he had proposed the end of 2008 as the target date for concluding the talks but that this was rejected by the Greek Cypriot side.

He underlined his expectations from the European Union that are 1) to be ready in order to adapt themselves to (EU) the results of the solution, 2) EU guarantee for final agreement as primary law and 3) to encourage the Greek Cypriot administration for a solution.

Responding to a question on the Turkish Army’s position towards a solution in Cyprus , Mr Talat said "all Turkish institutions are supporting a solution. Some of them may have some concerns. Turkish Cypriots will not accept any settlement if it does not include the support and guarantee of Turkey ”

The President pointed out that the number of troops to stay in Cyprus after a solution would be discussed at the negotiations but said that TRNC was backing a reduction in the current number of troops on the island in case of a peace deal.

Asked whether the Turkish Peace Forces could be replaced by a UN or EU force, the President reminded that the UN and British soldiers had been on the island to protect peace but both failed to do so and consequently bitter experiences were faced.

`So, it is not right to demand such a thing from the Turkish Cypriots`, he noted.

President Talat pointed out that although his proposal in order to end of 2008 as a target to conclude the talks hasn’t been accepted, date of the European Union Parliamentarian elections in June 2008 can be shown as a new target.

DOWNER IN ANKARA

It was stated that the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor to Cyprus Alexander Downer realized various contacts in Ankara .

Yesterday, Downer met Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Downer also came together with the Foreign Minister and Main Negotiator Ali Babacan.

Turkish Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry Burak Ozugergin said that they reminded to the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor Alexander Downer in Ankara that they gave a big importance to find a solution to Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN parameters and added ‘we believe that we will be in a useful cooperation during the following process with him’. Moreover, Ozugergin said ‘as it was in 2004, we will continue to give full support to the solution of Cyprus problem’.

GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE IN CHAOS AGAIN

According to the Fileleftheros newspaper which is being published in South Cyprus , the Greek Cypriot Side is again in chaos a day before the comprehensive negotiations between President Talat and Greek Cypriot Administration Leader Dimitris Hristofias

Fileleftheros gave the news with the heading ‘Strong Accusation to the Leader from Nikolas Papadopulos’ and mentioned that DIKO Parliamentarian Nikolas Papadopulos who is the son of former Greek Cypriot Administration Leader Tasos Papadopulos strongly criticised current Greek Cypriot Administration Leader Dimitris Hristofias.

Depending on that news, Papadopulos criticised Hristofias for not being open to the public opinion about the Turkish origin TRNC citizens and rotating Presidency. He also underlined that none of the former Presidents accepted to lift the criteria for the settlers or rotating Presidency. These are the compromises given by Hristofias