In a speech during an April 24 press conference marking the anniversary of his first year in office as well as the 2004 referendum where Turkish Cypriots voted for a unified island, Talat said, "besides working to unify Cyprus, to solve the Cyprus problem, we will also work to make the Turkish Cypriot community integrate with the rest of the world with patience and determination."
The president noted that "a huge responsibility" fell upon leaders and communities on both sides of the island, adding, "minimizing the problems between the two communities, or even eliminating them, and helping the two communities see each other as equals is something we, the leaders should do."
"As we guide and prepare the Turkish Cypriot people to a solution, the Greek Cypriot leadership should do the same" he noted.
Greek side anti-solutionist
Talat recalled that voting freeling on April 24, 2004, Turkish Cypriots had cast ballots in favour of unification and that through the process, enjoying the authority to separately determine their future, "Turkish Cypriots acted in line with the international community, and with a civilized approach, voted to share this country with the Greek Cypriots."
"Through this referendum, the Turkish Cypriots also showed that they are a civilized people" he said.
But, he added, "Unfortunately, the recent developments show that the solution of the Cyprus problem will take some time because unfortunately on the Greek Cypriot side, the anti-solution camp is in power. It will be difficult to solve the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots when this anti-solution camp is in power."
Annan Plan our basis
Talat explained the Turkish side still regarded the Annan Plan as the basis for a solution given the endorsement it received from the people, he denied allegations that the process was an Anglo-American plan prepared to open the way for Turkey's EU membership and overcome the obstacles Turkey may face in its bid to join the bloc and that it was a conspiracy.
"These are nonsense" Talat said, explaining that Greek Cypriot President Papadopoulos himself had in 2003 written a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and urged him to take an initiative and begin negotiations as soon as possible, so that Cyprus does not join the EU on May 1, 2004 as a divided island.
"Papadopoulos said that he is ready to negotiate the plan without putting its basic principles to discussion. So the claim that this plan is a sloppy plan created to open the way for Turkey's EU membership is totally ruthless and unjust. Nobody should make such an allegation. If they do, they will end up contradicting themselves. If they do, this will not be a politically honest behavior. For that reason, we, as the Turkish Cypriots, will continue to be committed to the Annan Plan in line with the Security Council resolutions."
He added that the TRNC believed the Annan Plan "is the most serious plan to solve the Cyprus problem".
Integration and unity
Talat said the Turkish side realized that it needed to empathize to be able to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and that "for that reason, we, of course, know and understand the problems and concerns of the Greek Cypriot community."
"But we also know and underline that the concerns and problems of this community has been largely created by their leaders. Besides working to unify Cyprus, to solve the Cyprus problem, we will also work to make the Turkish Cypriot community integrate with the rest of the world with patience and determination.
"We will do everything we can to get the isolations lifted. The lifting of isolations will be an important step in solving the Cyprus problem too. Isolations are both unfair and cruel since the Turkish Cypriots have shown a great will to unify the island. Efforts to have the isolations lifted are also humane efforts to unify the island. If we desire a solution based on the political equality of the two communities it is necessary to work to have the isolations lifted."
The TRNC president noted that "leaders who risk the future of their people, or who think of risking the future of their people, do not serve their people and are not successful leaders. For that reason it is necessary to tell the people the truth, not to hide anything... and to solve the problems with determination. History, in this respect, is very educational and we need to take advantage of it."
"Those who created an impasse in the Cyprus problem, and who insisted on a situation of no-solution, have been taught their lessons by the people. But unfortunately they are still the cause of the isolations the Turkish Cypriots live under. This is a very saddening situation but a naked and concrete reality. Everything needs to be done in the right time".
No tolerance to caricaturizing peace
Talat explained that since he had come to power he has been extending his hand to the Greek Cypriot leadership saying "I expressed that I want peace, solution, and to reunify Cyprus. I repeated that I am ready to meet with the Greek Cypriot leader under any circumstances even to have a cup of coffee."
He added, however, "I am determined not to tolerate those who attempt to caricaturize peace and solution efforts. I will not allow them to caricaturize my views on meeting (Papadopoulos) and the setting up of committees. The solution and peace process is not a game. Solution and peace process is serious business. You need to be serious when dealing with a serious business. Everyone should know what they are talking about and act accordingly.
Ready to meet Papadopoulos
Talat argued "the Greek Cypriot leadership, who has been continuously avoiding a meeting, decided it would be a good idea to meet now because of the elections and announced it will only meet on the issue of the missing persons."
He said, "this not only amounts to making fun of the world, and the Turkish Cypriots, it amounts making fun of the Greek Cypriots too. As everybody knows, there is a lot to talk about. The least to talk about is on the issue of the missing persons. The issue of the missing persons is proceeding smoothly. It would be wrong to politicize it and to open it to discussion. I believe we should avoid doing that. But please don't get me wrong. This does not mean I will not meet (Papadopoulos). As I have said, I am ready to meet him under any condition. "
He continued: "The Turkish Cypriots have the right to live under good conditions. A big responsibility falls upon the government. We need serious reforms to strengthen and democratize our institutions and to equip them with modern norms and the ability to serve all sectors of the society. As I have said before, it seems that the solution of the Cyprus problem will take a while. For that reason, the Turkish Cypriots need to attain modern and improved standards economically, socially and politically. All efforts for attaining these standards are necessary and should be supported. I, as the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, will support the government and all other institutions that spend efforts to attain these standards".
Let's start from scratch
After a detailed summary of the recent past regarding developments on a solution to the Cyrpus problem and efforts of the TRNC in achieving a solution, the president re-emphasized the importance of the Annan Plan in negotiating for one and said, "Come, let's start from scratch. But how long will these negotiations last? We have to know the answer to that too."
"I believe, not only the Turkish Cypriots but the Greek Cypriots do not have the patience to wait for another 30 years. So it is more sensible and reasonable to have a starting point. And that starting point is the Annan Plan. I can't think of another sensible and reasonable starting point. Look I have said I am ready to start from scratch. But this startled all of us. Because, if we start from scratch, this may take another 30 years. Who has the patience for that? I don't think any of us has".
He explained that he had written to Annan asking him to convey his position.
Efforts despite Greek Cypriot leaders
Explaining various developments that showed an unwillingness on part of Greek Cyprus to pave the way for a solution, Talat said "now they create innumerable difficulties for Turkish Cypriots and foreigners living in the north saying they have brochures or architectural plans in their cars" and argued that "such behavior is not going to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem."
"What will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem is the rapprochement at various levels between the two communities. This rapprochement should not be limited to ordinary people. The recent polls on the Greek Cypriot side created fears. We fear that the idea of separation is spreading among ordinary people and that there is an increase in the number of Greek Cypriots who do not want to live with Turkish Cypriots."
"We of course know that these results... are affected by time and conditions. The policies of the current Greek Cypriot leadership, that does not want solution has led to a decrease in the number of Greek Cypriots who want a solution and who want to live together with Turkish Cypriots. But this picture is not final... I believe it will change. This is why a huge responsibility falls upon the leaders. A huge responsibility falls upon us. Minimizing the problems between the two communities, or even eliminating them, and helping the two communities see each other as equals is something we, the leaders should do," Talat added.
The president concluded his speech saying, "As we guide and prepare the Turkish Cypriot people to a solution, the Greek Cypriot leadership should do the same. During my one-year here, I tried to do that, and I will continue to do so. If I have made any mistakes and have been warned, I will definitely correct them. I believe that Turkish and Greek Cypriots can live in peace. I will continue my efforts with this view." (II/YE)
