Talat says he will not cause 'break-up' of Cyprus talks
Thursday, February 4, 2010
NICOSIA - Anatolia News Agency
The president of Turkish Cyprus said Wednesday that he would not be the "architect" of a break-up in the Cyprus issue.
Speaking at a live broadcast on Turkish Cypriot Sim TV, President Mehmet Ali Talat said that he acted brave, calm and responsible during the ongoing negotiation process on Cyprus.
Talat described Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias as a "sinner," as he did not support the previously proposed Annan plan.
"I will not become the architect of a break-up. I am trying hard with all my goodwill for the solution of this problem. If the Greek Cypriot party does not really desire an agreement at all costs and this process ends with a break-up, I will not be responsible for it," Talat said.
Answering a question about recognition, Talat said the currently negotiated solution was the least painful way to solve the issue, and thus, the parties should focus on it.
In his reply to a question on whether he had a Greek Cypriot passport, Talat said he did not have one, adding he had mentioned previously that possession of a passport was not something to condemn.
Talat said he was sensitive about the issue and that he did not get a passport although he had been offered one several times before 2003.
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