Turkish Cypriot government resigns
The shaky coalition governing Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus resigned today after months of confusion in the minority government following a failed referendum to reunite the divided island.
Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat submitted his resignation to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, nine months after taking office. Talat, who is extremely popular for his efforts to reunite the island, is expected to remain as premier until a new government can be formed.
If a government cannot be formed, early elections will be called.
In late April, several MPs resigned from the two parties in the coalition following a failed referendum on a United Nations plan to reunite the divided island, reducing it to a minority government.
Talat supported the plan, but his coalition partner, Serdar Denktash, did not. Serdar Denktash said if efforts to form a new government fail, then elections could be held in early 2005.
Turkish Cypriots in the north of the island overwhelmingly voted in favour of the UN-drafted plan, but it was defeated when Greek Cypriots in the south rejected it.
That outcome has meant that Turkish Cypriots in a breakaway state in the north have been excluded from the benefits of the European Union, which Cyprus joined on May 1.
Cyprus has been split into Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish-occupied north since Turkey invaded in 1974 after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. In 1983 the Turkish Cypriots declared their own state, but it is only recognised by Turkey.
