One of the likely reasons for the cancellation of a planned visit to Finland by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer was disagreement over aspects of the programme planned for his stay.
According to an anonymous diplomatic source in Ankara, the main reason for the displeasure was that President Tarja Halonen had invited Loria Markides, the Ambassador of Cyprus, to a dinner planned for the occasion.
"Cyprus was apparently one reason for the request to postpone the visit", admitted President Halonen’s press secretary Maria Romantschuk to Helsingin Sanomat late on Wednesday.
Turkey has not officially recognised the Greek-led Republic of Cyprus.
Sezer was originally to have visited Finland on March 14th - 16th. The dinner had been scheduled for March 15th, but it was cancelled last weekend because of the disagreements. Finally the whole trip to Finland was cancelled on Monday - the day after television pictures showing violent suppression of a demonstration by women’s rights advocates caused an international uproar.
"I cannot say what the final straw was", Romantschuk said. She added that President Halonen has sent a personal letter to Sezer, expressing the hope that he would come to Finland for a visit.
