Turkish PM cuts short Cyprus trip

Erdogan is a key player in the Cyprus debate

The Turkish prime minister is cutting short a visit to Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus following Saturday's car bomb blasts in Istanbul.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office condemned the synagogue attacks, saying they were targeting Turkey's peace and stability.

Mr Erdogan went to northern Cyprus to mark the 20th anniversary of the self-declared republic there.

Turkish Cypriot parliamentary elections seen as crucial for the divided island's future are due next month.

After arriving there, Mr Erdogan telephoned Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, who briefed him on the Istanbul bombings.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) - set up after Turkish troops seized the northern part of the island in 1974 - is recognised only by Ankara.

Three parties opposed to veteran leader Rauf Denktash want to reopen talks on a UN plan for unity with the Greek south. The European Union wants to embrace a united Cyprus in May 2004.

Mr Denktash is also under pressure from the Turkish Government to agree to the UN plan.

The parliamentary elections are scheduled for 14 December and the campaign has been dominated by the reunification debate.

The EU has told Ankara that failure to solve the dispute about the island's sovereignty would diminish Turkey's chances of joining the EU.

If there is no deal by May 2004, the EU has said it will welcome only the internationally-recognised Greek south.

The opposition claims the authorities are manipulating the electoral list by bringing in thousands of new voters from the Turkish mainland who will be loyal to the present government.