Talat Gets Full Support from Musherref for Removal of Isolations By Erkan Yigitsozlu, Cihan News Agency, Islamabad
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
zaman.com 
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat was in Pakistan at the invitation of Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf, and received a promise of support for the lifting of isolations.
The Pakistani president said Turks in northern Cyprus are entitled to the ending of internationally imposed isolations on the north of the island.
Talat met with Musharraf at his office in Ravalpindi for a 45 minute closed door audience, and an opportunity for an exchange of information between the two leaders over recent developments in Cyprus.
Talat expressed his delight at the warm welcome he received during his visit, and Musharraf in turn pledged his unconditional support to Turks in Northern Cyprus for long term peace with Greeks living on the south of the island.
Talat was officially welcomed by Pakistani foreign ministry officials upon his arrival in Islamabad early Monday.
Talat’s first contact with an official from the Pakistani government was with Nilufer Bahtiyar, the country’s Tourism minister.
Talat’s first official visit abroad, apart from his previous visits to Turkey, became an opportunity for the two leaders to openly communicate messages of friendship and cooperation.
Reporters were informed about the talks between officials from both countries over plans to improve cooperation between the two countries.
Officials from both countries agreed to underline the need for steps in the fields of education, tourism and light-industry.
Musharraf referred to Talat as the president of the Turkish Republic in Northern Cyprus, which is seen as an important sign of recognition by Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
In Talat’s previous meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, with former British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, and with German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, he was referred to as “the leader of the Turkish society in northern Cyprus.”
Greek Cypriots on alert
Talat’s visit to Pakistan put the Greek as well as Greek Cypriot administrations “on alert.”
A commentary from Greek Cypriot newspaper, Fileleftheros, following the announcement that Talat would be received as “president” in Pakistan, wrote: The administration in southern Cyprus is in cooperation with the administration in Greece to have Talat referred to as “the leader of the Turkish society in northern Cyprus,” not as “the president.”
Fileleftheros further referred to comments from diplomatic sources on Talat’s presentation of the cup to Istanbul F1 Grand Prix winner Felipe Massa, declaring it a “show;” and added that Talat’s visit to Pakistan was a far more serious and negative development.
The newspaper also referred to the last-minute news of Talat’s visit to Pakistan as an outcome of concentrated and systematic efforts by officials in Ankara to gain the administration in northern Cyprus recognition.
Source : Zaman
Talat Gets Full Support From Musherref For Removal Of Isolations
09/05/06 01:59 PM
