"We will make our country a united country" - President Talat

paul90


Joined: 07/11/2007
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
02/05/2008 17:05

The office of President Mehmet Ali Talat issued the following statement on 2 May. Note the last paragraph.



see it on: http://www.kktcb.eu/index.php?tpl=show_news&id=303



Talat: “We are Bound to Prepare a Plan, Which Would be Acceptable to Both Peoples”

President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that they are on the one hand hopeful, and on the other hand anxious about the new process in Cyprus. Talat stated that their anxiety arises from what happened with the Annan Plan, from the fact that Christofias was among those who rejected the Annan Plan and from questions such as: “What kind of a plan could be accepted today? Would my people and the Greek Cypriot people accept this plan?”



President Talat underlined that the leaders are bound to prepare a plan, which would be acceptable to both peoples. He added that the leaders, besides working on this plan, should also prepare the people for a solution. Talat drew attention to the importance of keeping the people informed during the negotiations period, encouraging them to accept the plan and to be prepared for a solution.



President Talat was speaking at the 48th General Assembly of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Architects and Engineers.



President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that there is significant progress in the new process with the establishment of the technical committees and working groups. He underlined that what could not be achieved with the former Greek Cypriot administration in one and a half years has been achieved in a very short time.



President Talat pointed out that Christofias and Iacovou are being accused of “negotiating the Annan Plan” in South Cyprus. “We never said we will negotiate the Annan Plan,” said Talat. “However, we are loyal to the essence of the Annan Plan and we will take the elements of that plan to the negotiation table. The Greek Cypriot side rejected the Annan Plan, but my people accepted it. Since my people accepted, it is very natural for me to take the plan’s elements to the table.”



President Talat also stated that besides the positive developments, some negative practices are still ongoing. He mentioned the isolations on Turkish Cypriots as an example and added that the Greek Cypriot side still tries to prevent foreign diplomats from meeting him. He expressed belief that such negative practices will be overcome in time.



President Talat said the Turkish Cypriot side will work sincerely and with good will to achieve a solution. He stated that not everything is perfect but added that things are not as dark as they used to be in the past years either.



Talat concluded by saying that they want a solution and added that this solution would contribute to the whole region, the island and the world. “We will do everything in our capacity,” said Talat. “We will solve the Cyprus problem, and make our country a united country that is integrated with the world and a member of the European Union.”



TAK/ Translation: Press Office

brian24001


Joined: 23/03/2008
Posts: 606

Message Posted:
02/05/2008 17:16

Good to see, you know the North has always led the way with positive attitue and actions, and should be rewarded and recognised better by the outside world for its attitude and acheivements, especially after the lack kept promises made from other countries/Eu.

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
02/05/2008 17:34

hi paul

the last paragraph can be taken out of contex, when he is saying we will solve the cyprus problem and make our country a united country this can mean a unified country or that the cyprus will be a united country in the respect of peace between both states and both reconise each other i think the later because not once in his statement did he say he wanted a unified cyprus between the north or the south and all the words that are used are solution to the problem at the end of the day his political reputation is on the line in the respect of doing whats best for the turkish cypriots that is paramount and then care on what the rest of the world thinks

lets see what happens

regards mate

ukturk

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
02/05/2008 17:42

who want to be in the eu ??



DO THEY REALLY BELIEVE THE ELF AND SAFTY BRIGADE THE BENT BANANA BRIGADE AND EQUAL RIGHTS LOT WOULD BE GOOD FOR TRNC ??

paul90


Joined: 07/11/2007
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
02/05/2008 17:48

Yes, it is difficult to know exactly what is in his mind.

He has never (even previously) mentioned re-unification.

Of course to be a member of the European Union - this can only be achieved as a single Cyprus state or perhaps to go in with Turkey in the longer term.

It is early days yet - but at least he is making positive gestures.

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
02/05/2008 19:48

elf and safty nice one nige.

wynyardman



Joined: 15/12/2007
Posts: 4580

Message Posted:
02/05/2008 19:51

Mr Talat,



You play with words as politicians do, and good luck!

Try to leave behind the emnity felt (rightly so) held by the NC TCs.

We wish you every good will, in your negotiations. May YOUR Gods go with you.

Your task is huge. We do not underestimate the difficulties that you will have to endure.

There is much at stake resting on your integrity and good faith.

We send our heartfelt wishes,



wynyardman

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
03/05/2008 17:25

hi guys

i knew mr talat words had been taken out of context because today south cypriot government spokesman stephanos stephanou critisised mr talat on his statements regarding a peacefull solution of two states and the vigin birth of a new state

below is his statement in full and he is basically saying they only agree to the pact that both parties agreed to in 1977 and 1979 and revised in 2006, what are they on do they think what was good in the 70's and 2 years ago is the same in todays climate when they still say they want occupied areas back and all settlers to leave the country how can this happen do you tell settlers who have been living in the north for over 30 something years to pack their bags and leave how can we live in a democratic country when this is a blatant human right violation!!!

like i said i dont think we can ever live in a unified country when there is still so much animosity directed at the turks and that does not disappear over night or 50 years or so!!!!



“What is being said by the Security Council of Turkey or is being repeated by the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Mr Talat does not lead to optimism that the process that has begun at the level of working groups and technical committees will bear results to allow fully-fledged negotiations on the Cyprus question,” Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said:



He said that the Greek Cypriot side’s position on a settlement was clear: an end to the occupation, the illegal settling in the occupied areas, and reunification under the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, within which a political equality would be established as described by the UN relevant resolutions.

He also said that the Greek Cypriot side wanted a solution that would safeguard the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all the people.

Stephanou reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side’s positions were based on the positions agreed by both communities and recalled that the bizonal, bicommunal federation was agreed in 1977 and was reaffirmed in 1979, with the two High Level agreements and with the July 8 2006 Agreement between former Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

“We insist on this agreement,”

Stepahnou said there were UN Security resolutions, agreed and adopted by the international community, as far as the basis and the framework for a solution were concerned.

“If there are people who want to pursue a settlement based on other positions and beyond the Annan plan, as is the position for two states and ‘the virgin birth’ of a new state, they do not help the whole process to move forward,” he said.

Asked about the Cyprus government’s position on settlers, the government spokesman said that on principle a settlement had to terminate settling in the occupied areas and that settlers had to leave the island. He noted however that for humanitarian reasons a number of settlers would remain on the island.

Asked whether the Greek Cypriot side would sit down to negotiations talks if Talat remained steadfast on these positions, Stephanou referred to the agreement reached between President Demetris Christofias and Talat on March 21.

“First of all the ground must be prepared for fully-fledged negotiations,” he said.

“From our side we will do our outmost to achieve results, discussing on an acceptable basis, and this basis comprises High Level Agreements, the UN resolutions on Cyprus and the principles of the International and European law,” he said.

regards

ukturk

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
11/05/2008 00:08

The greek cyps are saying that June may be to early for talks.and have called a meet for May 23rd to discuss the problem isues such as territorial matters,property rights,governance and distribution of power.Could their new leader be stalling just like the last one all sounds a bit deja vous to me.



Thoughts please,

Paul.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
11/05/2008 13:36

Hi Paul



No idea what is going on here mate. How was it ,that the 2006 negotiations ignored the annan plan and negotiations centred on agrrements laid down in the 70's. Perhaps Talat just didn't take those talks seriously.



Erkan, mate you are right, times have moved on. How can the GC's look to the 70's as the guiding principles. So much for saying they want to protect human rights, when they want certain Turkish settlers to leave the island. Not sure how they intend to define who leaves and who stays.



I have read Talats last statement several times. It seems to me that he is talking about the whole of Cyprus being united, both the South and North coming together and this United Cyprus being in Eurpope. If this is his goal, then he may have to concede heavily to make this happen. It looks like the GC's goal is to regain control of the island. Hopefully Talat is prepared to lower his ambition and walk away from the talks should the TC's and Turkish settlers be disadvantaged in the negotiations.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
11/05/2008 14:18

ps

I was thinking, why would I say that the GC's goal is to regain (full) control of the island. I don't have enough indicators to say if this is true or not. The only indicator, is that the GC's are not allowing Talat to see foreign diplomats and they are still enforcing embargoes. This does not sound like the actions of a country who view their neighbours as equals and are looking for lomg term peaceful relations.

I keep asking myself, if I was in the GC's shoes, I would allow Talat lots of concessions during the negotiations to show good will. If the negotiations stall then I might get back to playing hardball.