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Northern Cyprus President Mehmet Ali Talat has made a fervent appeal to Kuwait and other Gulf countries to play their part in ending isolation of northern Cyprus through investment and enhancement of bilateral and cultural ties with it. In a recent interview with Kuwait Times in Nicosia, he dwelt at length on the problem of Cyprus and gave his view on reunification of the island. Following is the full text of the interview.

KT: On the account of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) problem, Turkey remains under pressure over its entry into the European Union While a number of east European countries have been given EU membership without any conditions. Turkey faces heavy odds for making itself acceptable to the EU. Are you satisfied with the measures being taken by Turkey to win the EU membership and solve the problem of Cyprus?

Talat: Turkey did everything asked or requested by us for a Cyprus settlement. This was of course necessary for Turkey's EU efforts to be successful because Turkey was trying to enter a club while Cyprus was going to be a member of the club before Turkey anyway. Turkey had to do its best for the solution of the Cyprus problem and it so. It supported a UN-sponsored comprehensive plan to match its obligations, but Greek Cypriots did not accept the solution. So there is nothing more Turkey can do in this regard. It is for the Greek Cypriots now to take step and move forward. Turkey should not be put under pressure any more because it has done all it could to help solve the problem. Turkey is supporting us.

KT: There is a talk of Cyprus' reunification and UN has called for removing restrictions on Turkish Cypriots. What safeguards will be required to maintain unity between the two parities opting for reunification?
Talat: For reunification, the people of two sides on the island should be made politically equal on the basis of a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation. The proposed set-up of the federation will be necessary for security and peace of the unified island.

KT: How do you describe the bi-zonal set-up? What examples you have in mind to support your view?

Talat: Belgium and Switzerland could be cited as examples. There are many countries accommodating different societies in the form of a federation. The United States is the most familiar example. Unified Cyprus should be akin to what former UN secretary General Kofi Annan described in a 1992. His plan for Cyprus proposed a presidential council rather than a single president. A 40-month presidency was reserved for each side. When it comes to accepting a viable solution we are quite flexible.

KT:  EU has tried to overlook the ground realities in Cyprus by giving its membership to Greek-Cypriot. It has recognised part of the island as a whole. There is no precedent for giving EU membership to a part of a divided country. This is a marked contrast to Turkey's case for EU membership. Despite being a sovereign country Turkey is being denied EU membership on one pretext or another. How long can the EU endure such gross injustice?

Talat: Actually, I have the same question in mind for the EU. I am surely concentrated on the Cyprus problem. As you have put it, the divided Cyprus should be enough reason for the EU not to accept Greek-Cypriots as members.  One of parties in Cyprus voted in favour of the UN sponsored referendum and was excluded from European Union and other one which rejected the UN plan was accepted by the European Union. This is a big anomaly. It is not acceptable. I do not think this injustice will last for long. I am very optimistic and realistic about justice finally prevailing.

KT: You have executed a plan to demolish a footbridge "Leader Street" and your demand about demolishing the wall on the other side has not been heeded so far why?

Talat: You know Nicosia was a divided city from 1958 to 1960 when it was unified. It was divided again in 1963 and it remains divided ever since. We demolished our wall many months ago but their wall is still a barricade between the two communities in Nicosia. In 1967, the Turkish-Cypriot side built a wall in order to protect itself from the onslaught of Greek-Cypriots and that wall was demolished by us in 2005. But the Greek-Cypriot wall is still there. We built a footbridge for pedestrians across the road and that road is being used by the military. We built the footbridge to avoid any accident or encounter between the military and the civilians. The Greek-Cypriot side did not honour their pledge. They have not demolished the wall.

KT: How far Germany's presidency of EU has pushed forward the UN plan for reunification?

Talat: They have not done anything so far but we are expecting some positive move. They are focusing on direct trade regulations from TRNC to European Union. Greek-Cypriots are against it and they are trying to block that move. Germany is keen to promote the trade flow.

KT: This means the embargo will be lifted.

Talat: Only for trade - there are many other embargoes that remain. For instance I cannot use my passport to come to Kuwait or visit European union. We can say that a very small part of the so-called embargo will be lifted.
KT: What is the role of Italy on Turkey's membership of the EU?

Talat: Italy is keen on Turkey's membership so is Spain and we expect they will help.

KT: What help do you expect from Kuwait and Gulf countries on Cyprus' reunification and ending its isolation?

Talat: Actually the Islamic countries, particularly Kuwait and Gulf states, can help the reunification of the island indirectly. They could also play their part by way of investment in the north. Having close relations with it should also work against the current isolation of the TRNC. Such steps should generate a real pressure to bear on Greek-Cypriots to sit around a negotiating table and solve the problem. In 2004, Annan gave a strong call to international community for the elimination of restrictions isolating the Turkish-Cypriots. I appeal to the Gulf countries to help us by developing economic, cultural and bilateral relation with the TRNC.

KT:  How much do you feel encouraged by the OIC efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem?

Talat: Our relations with the OIC are good but I think these should be further strengthened. Different delegations from the OIC visited our country and our foreign minister recently visited the OIC headquarters in Jeddah. We expect economic help from them.

KT: The Greek-Cypriot side had rejected the referendum proposal in 2004. Do you think there is still a chance of its revival?

Talat: Definitely, we are quite hopeful. Recently, the UN assistant secretary has succeeded in preparing a procedural proposal and we accepted it. We will establish a technical committee and working group. After some discussion, the leaders will come for resumption of full-fledged negotiations.

KT:  How was your visit to Pakistan? What assurances of support did you get?

Talat: Extremely good. Pakistan invited me officially and accorded a very brotherly treatment. We have very good relations with President Musharraf of Pakistan. Everything was perfect. Pakistan always supported us in all international forums, in the UN Security Council, OIC and everywhere else. After Turkey, Pakistan is the second country that approaches us in a very friendly way.

KT:  What progress do you see on the Turkish plan to EU to end TRNC's isolation opening Ercan airport for international flights and allowing trade with Famagusta port?

Talat: It is very good plan. Actually the port issue and direct trade are interdependent. The draft resolution makes it very clear. That there is no port other than Famagusta for international trade. As for international flights, we are trying to run direct flights to London to restore our historic links with the UK.

KT: What is "the comprehensive" solution to the Cyprus problem?

Talat: The Cyprus problem ensued from the aspiration of the Greek-Cypriot side to join Greece. The Turkish-Cypriot side rejected this move. They stood by Turkey which supported them. In 1960, many Greek-Cypriots were not satisfied with the result because they wanted the island's annexation by Greece. They organised a campaign in 1963 to oust the Turkish Cypriots from various institutions of government to accomplish the annexation. They could not succeed in their purpose. Turkish-Cypriots were deprived of everything. In 1974, another attempt came from the Greece military junta for enosis or annexation and the island was declared the Hellenic Republic of Cyprus. To counter this coup d'etat, Turkey intervened and the result is the present situation.
Greek-Cypriots rejected the Annan plan because they do not want to share our concern. They want the whole of the island. They want to make it Greek territory. They do not want to share power with us. So we insist that power-sharing is necessary on an equal basis. This is our argument and it is compatible with international norms. This is the best course to a just solution. We hope that world will support this to restore peace on the island.