Blair may host Turkish Cypriot President in London
Despite his appreciation of Britain’s support of his people and their cause, Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat expressed his expectation of being invited to London by British leader Tony Blair to talk seriously about the issues at hand.
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4 November 2005
Despite his appreciation of Britain's support of his people and their cause, Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat expressed his expectation of being invited to London by British leader Tony Blair to talk seriously about the issues at hand.
“There are preparations ... Such an invitation will very probably be extended in the beginning of 2006,” Talat told reporters in Istanbul where he stopped over on his way back home from the United States.
“Britain is a guarantor country and has a responsibility. Thus, we will have further demands from Britain than we had from the United States,” he added, referring to efforts for the easing of international isolation of Turkish Cypriots.
Despite having a pleasant tone concerning the probable invitation from the British prime minister, Talat sounded pessimistic when he touched upon his meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in New York.
Talat said he saw little hope of reviving the stalled Cyprus peace process following talks in New York with Annan. “Mr. Annan is hesitant to re-launch the talks unless the two sides show sincere determination.”
The U.N. might consider a new mediation effort only if the European Union forces the Greek Cypriot administration to work for a settlement, Talat emphasized in an apparent reference to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos' reluctant attitude concerning the issue.
With his country now safely inside the EU, Papadopoulos has less incentive to negotiate than the Turkish Cypriots, who remain isolated by international trade restrictions. But the Turkish Cypriots' “yes” vote in last year's referendum has earned them international praise. While in the United States, Talat also held talks in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
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