Obama's remarks on Cyprus due to election campaign: Turkish FM

A presidential election campaign was continuing in United States and candidates take the tendency of some groups into consideration during this term, Babacan said when Obama's recent remarks regarding Cyprus asked at a press conference following to his visit to U.S., in Ankara.

However their stance is changed when they took the post Babacan said adding that "an intensive but a silent contact process," was ongoing with the foreign policy consultants of both candidates in the U.S. presidential election.

"A negotiated political settlement on Cyprus would end the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus and repair the island's tragic division while paving the way to prosperity and peace throughout the entire region," Obama and his Democratic vice-presidential running mate Joe Biden said in a the statement on Obama's website recently.

Cyprus has been divided since 1964 when Turkish Cypriots were forced to withdraw into enclaves.

"We are ready to work with the new administration and improve our relations with them at different areas no matter who will be elected. But the election period should be assessed by certainly taking its special circumstances into consideration." Babacan also said.

Babacan was in U.S. for United Nations Security Council election, in which Turkey was elected as non-permanent member for 2009-2010 period.

SUPPORT OF WORLD

Babacan said that Turkey's non-permanent member to U.N. Security Council was achieved not by certain geography's support but with the support of the world. Turkey would start its mission on Jan. 1, 2009, he added, the Anatolian Agency reported.

The foreign minister also said that the result of the UN Security Council election was based on three important issues. He said that these issues were political and economic reforms fulfilled in Turkey, success in foreign policy and introduction of these successes to the world with a good communication.

He said that he held meetings with foreign ministers of nearly 150 countries since he started his term in office 14 months ago, adding that he asked support of these countries for Turkey's non-permanent membership to UN Security Council.

Babacan said that 151 of 192 countries --80 percent-- supported Turkey in the secret voting.

Among nations in the European group at the United Nations, Austria and Turkey won non-permanent places on the Security Council in the Friday's voting in the U.N. General Assembly, leaving Iceland defeated.

The newly-elected countries will replace Belgium, Indonesia, Italy, Panama and South Africa from January 1. Remaining on the Security Council until the end of 2009 will be Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Croatia, Libya and Vietnam.

Turkey held a seat on the Security Council in 1951-52, 1954-55 and 1961.