[01] RTP urges initiatives for federal solution soonest

[02] Atun meets Boucher in preparation for Holbrooke visit

[03] US Ambassador rents house in occupied area

[04] Turkish Cypriot delegation to Brussels

[05] 30,000 Turkish Cypriots have fled the occupied area for Britain

[01] RTP urges initiatives for federal solution soonest

In a statement he issued, Soyer remarked that the Turkish Cypriot community is one of the two equal communities in Cyprus, a community which has a right to a mutually acceptable solution on the island. It is necessary to start developing under a federal roof as soon as possible, having made peace with the world on the basis of such a solution, Soyer stated. He stressed that the Turkish Cypriot community, which is experiencing the pain especially of economic impasses based on the nonsolution of the Cyprus problem, needs a solution more than anyone else. Soyer noted that it is necessary to take the initiative with regard to the Cyprus issue and produce active policies for a federal solution based on the 1977 and 1979 summit agreements as soon as possible, utilizing the advantages of this international traffic.

[02] Atun meets Boucher in preparation for Holbrooke visit

Atun met with US Ambassador Richard Boucher last Friday. The one-hour meeting, which began at 1:00, was held at the so-called Assembly. The two discussed the visit US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke will pay to the island as well as the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. The meeting was also attended by John Lister, US Embassy second secretary responsible for Turkish affairs.

In a statement after the meeting, Hakki Atun said that Boucher's aim is to be briefed as part of the preparations for Holbrooke's visit and to build a sound basis for the negotiations. Atun said that because Boucher is aware of the budget issues, he briefed the Ambassador on the general situation as well.

Atun said that all the Turkish Cypriot parties have determined the minimum line the Turkish Cypriots are willing to come down to. He stated that he pointed out to Boucher that political equality and the determination of the political status will be only the beginning of the road. He added: "Membership in the EU must be presented to us with good will, not in the form of blackmail."

Atun said that it should be accepted that this can only come after political equality and the political status are determined, and after a solution is reached. The other aspects are bizonality, bicommunality, and Turkey's de factor guarantees, he said.

In a statement before the meeting, US Ambassador Boucher said that on the eve of Holbrooke's visit to Cyprus he is holding talks with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties as a preparation. He said that his talks aim at establishing a sound basis for future negotiations.

[03] US Ambassador rents house in occupied area

KIBRIS says that from now on the US Ambassador Boucher's one foot will be in the occupied area.

It reports that Boucher rented the house last month. It is situated in the north neighbourhood of Nicosia and there he receives Turkish Cypriot leaders.

The house, which belongs to a Turkish Cypriot residing in the UK, was formerly known as the Pink-House because of its exterior paint. Now the house has been painted white. KIBRIS says that before this Boucher had a residence in occupied Kyrenia. (MY)

[04] Turkish Cypriot delegation to Brussels

The group's travelling expenses will be met by the European Parliament.

Meanwhile, the Association of Mustafa Kemal, the Turkish Islamic Foundation and the Association of Turkish Cypriots living in Southwork have declared that the delegation cannot speak on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots on a whole. (MY)

[05] 30,000 Turkish Cypriots have fled the occupied area for Britain

Ozgur, inter alia, said: "As a community, we are not in the same situation as we were in 1975. Our population is less. The number of Turkish Cypriots who have left Cyprus since 1975 is approximately 30,000. A terrifying number. After Britain closed its doors, our fellow citizens try to enter this country, by asking for political asylum. It is said that the number of our fellow citizens who try to enter Britain in this way is very important". (EF)