Turkish Cypriots were not the reason of insolubility in Cyprus

Talat told A.A and Turkish Agency-Cyprus (TAK) correspondents that Turkish Cypriots, who supported United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan’s plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem that was also been backed by the world with a vote of 65 percent, were upset over remaining out of European Union (EU).

It was not possible to suddenly change conditions created by wrong policies in 40 years, Talat said.

Talat noted that Turkish Cypriots should be prepared for a long struggle.

Cyprus was today a half and divided EU member, Talat stated and expressed regret over it.

Asked about his feelings, Talat said, "we are all upset because we all expected Cyprus to become an EU member as a whole. But, we are not the reason of this current situation."

Talat said, "we will try to compensate the current situation from now on. Continuation of Cyprus issue due to reasons which don’t stem from us, forces us and causes us trouble. Turkish Cypriots are face to face with an unjust isolation. Turkish Cypriots are excluded although they supported a solution also backed by the EU with a vote of 65 percent while those who opposed it join the EU. This is a weird conflict. This is gross injustice. And, it should be compensated. Therefore, we are struggling and we will continue to do so."

It was not possible to end 40-year situation suddenly, Talat stated.

Talat went on saying, "nobody should be hopeless and complain about the world and the EU. This will be wrong and unjust. Because, there is a 40-year past. And, nobody knew that the Greek Cypriots will say ‘no’ to the plan 15 days before the separate simultaneous referenda. This will be a long struggle. It is not easy to end 40-year situation in one week or month. Nobody should feel hopeless."

"The EU and the world should not be expected to provide us with advantages and pave our way in a short time. We will work hard and we will struggle much. We want to get results of our struggle in a short time but it is not possible to suddenly change conditions created by wrong policies in 40 years. We shouldn’t forget it," Talat said.

Talat noted, "nobody should feel upset, complain about the world. Nobody should think of EU’s approach to Turkish Cypriots as ‘our hopes have faded away.’ This will be wrong and unjust."

TRNC would continue diplomatic initiatives launched for ending its isolation and enabling its recognition, Talat said.

Talat recalled that he would meet with U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell during his visit to the United States which would start on Monday.

He might meet with U.N. Secretary General Annan and U.S. congressmen, Talat stated.

Talat said that he would explain that TRNC had not lost its thesis and solution vision during his meetings.

Asked what the position of TRNC President Rauf Denktas would be in the long struggle of Turkish Cypriots, Talat said, "if he wants to save Turkish Cypriots from 40-year isolation, he may take some steps. But, I don’t know if he wishes so. I can’t say anything more."

When he was recalled about the statement of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said that "the Greek Cypriot administration has already been recognized. There is nothing more to be done about this issue. The world has recognized it. What can you do by saying ‘I don’t recognize it’?" and asked about his view, Talat said, "I think the answer to this question is hidden in this question. I have told you. Mr. Erdogan summarizes the situation. He is right."

TRNC and Greek Cypriot side voted United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan’s plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in simultaneous referenda held on April 24.

Sixty-five percent of Turkish Cypriots voted "yes" to the Annan plan while 35.09 percent voted against the plan in the simultaneous referenda. A total of 75.83 percent of the Greek Cypriots said "no" to the plan while 24.17 of them voted "yes."

The rate of participation in the referendum was 84.35 in TRNC and 96.53 percent in the Greek Cypriot side.

The Greek Cypriot side joined on Saturday the EU together with nine other countries including Estonia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia.

Before he left Turkey for Ireland to attend the ceremony held upon accession of ten new countries to the EU, Erdogan said, "the Greek Cypriot administration has already been recognized. There is nothing more to be done about this issue. The world has recognized it. What can you do by saying ‘I don’t recognize it’? We do never think of contradicting world facts. We are obliged to take our place in these fact whatever the world facts show."

When Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, "these words will be misunderstood. Everybody will think Turkey as if it recognized the Greek Cypriot side. There is not such thing," Erdogan said, "the Greek Cypriot administration is in a position which is recognized by the EU and recognized by all international platforms including the U.N. We can’t gain anything saying that ‘I don’t recognize it.’ Such an attitude won’t bring you any benefits. On the contrary, a negative attitude will harm future positive developments."