Under the front-page title: “He will put pressure”, Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (21.05.14) publishes an exclusive interview to the paper by the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Referring, inter alia to Biden’s visit to the island today, Talat said that Biden will visit the island with the aim to put pressure on the solution of the Cyprus problem. “In spite of the fact that the USA is an imperialist power, I believe that the USA can contribute to the solution”, added Talat, pointing out that what is necessary first is that the two sides to speak the same language as regards the solution parameters.
Talat pointed out to the need for the two sides to establish a bridge of culture between them. He said that it is important all involved sides of the two communities to enter into a dialogue in order to increase the trust and mutual respect amongst them. He cited as an example the teaching of the two languages, Greek and Turkish to Turkish and Greek Cypriot schools, to broadcast TV programs in both languages and to organize common activities and events by different NGO’s in the island.
Talat stated also that he is in favor of the opening of more crossing points but he added that it is not essential at this moment.
As regards the issue of the returning Maras to the Greek Cypriots under the name of the “Confidence Building Measures”, Talat expressed the belief that it would be a big blow for the comprehensive solution the returning of Maras to the Greek Cypriots under this status. “In my opinion, the solution on the issue of Maras is a much more difficult than the solution of the Cyprus problem in general”, said Talat.
Speaking on the possibility of returning Maras to the Greek Cypriots, Talat said that they should estimate very well what will be the exchange of this. Talat added that the Turkish Cypriot side should ask as an exchange the opening of its “ports” for international traffic and the lifting of the “embargoes”.