Powell: I am not a mediator on Cyprus issue

WASHINGTON (AA) – U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Thursday that the U.S. wanted Cyprus solution process to advance on the basis of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan’s plan.

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul had a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell the same day. After the meeting, Powell responded to questions of journalists.

Praising the steps taken by Turkey for solution of Cyprus issue, Powell said that the U.S. extended support to both sides’ launching efforts in Cyprus and that the U.S. was ready to extend all sorts of help for finding a solution in Cyprus.

Powell said that Foreign Minister Gul used the title facilitator for him, adding that the U.S. supported the U.N.’s Cyprus vision and advancing progress on the basis of Annan plan.

When asked if the pressure was only on the Greek side, Powell said that he was not a mediator and they were in contact with both sides in Cyprus. The pressure was on all sides, he said adding he thought that a solution was close in Cyprus.

Powell stated that he also discussed the issue related to north of Iraq with Gul, adding that Iraq was a single country and one entity. The oil of this country was in the hand of the central government, Powell said adding that the U.S. supported the territorial integrity of Iraq.

Powell gave the message that the U.S. would take the necessary steps about the terrorist organization PKK.

Gul said in his part that they discussed issues of Cyprus and Iraq, adding that the Turkish side wanted to start negotiations in Cyprus as soon as possible by taking Annan plan as the reference.