DIPLOMATIC BUZZ IS INCREASING

Fischer had met with Annan in Germany before he headed to Turkey. His statements showed that Germany is ready to re-assume a leading role to launch a pro-Turkey campaign inside the EU if Ankara takes effective steps on the Cyprus issue, which would satisfy Annan.

Weston this time visited only Ankara where he met various officials including Foreign Minister Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal. When asked why Weston is putting pressure merely on Ankara, the US says that Turkey’s position is special this time. First of all, ‘The ball is in Ankara’s court now,’ the American officials say. ‘It was the Turkish side which interrupted the negotiations. Now, it is very natural to expect Ankara to resume them.’ Second, Prime Minister Erdogan is set to meet with US President George W. Bush in January 28, Washington. The Cyprus issue is one of the most important issues on the agenda. Third, if Erdogan manages to yield positive results from his meeting with Annan, it will be helpful to Turkey’s EU membership bid as well.

Both Fischer and Weston underlined two points:

Negotiations must be based on the Annan plan. Negations must begin after agreeing on the referendum date.

Both the US and the EU are trying to persuade Ankara to take effective steps before May 1st. After the Foreign Ministry and General Staff Office questioned their anti-solution stances, Ankara has adopted a new stance on the issue. The old mentalities and polarizations may still prevail but the diplomatic buzz which recently increased gives us new hopes.”