Denktas: We Have Taken The First Steps Of The Result What We Have Dreamt For Years

LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that by allowing passages between TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side, they took the first steps of the result which they have been dreaming for years.
Denktas described his initiative as, ''a result which a peace loving people want to reach by protecting its rights,'' and noted that there should be good will in Greek Cypriot side to reach a result.
Denktas responded to the questions in a private tv.
Stating that he was hopeful for the developments, Denktas said, ''those who overturn this proposal, will prove to the whole world that they don't want peace on Cyprus.''
Denktas said he had presented the proposals to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos in a written way, and that Papadopoulos rejected them immediately. Denktas said TRNC government had opened the border gates the other day.
Denktas said Greek Cypriot administration told the lie to its people that Turks were people which were sentenced to surrender, stating that Greek Cypriots who passed to TRNC saw that Turkish Cypriots were not oppressed, but that they were developed and progressed.
Stressing that the situation which appeared after allowing the passages was ''the model of the future'', Denktas said, ''exchange of property will be overcome with compensations and border adjustments will be made. If there is willingness in the Greek Cypriot side, the problem will be solved together.''
Denktas said ways would be opened in case European Union and the international community treat equally to both sides on Cyprus, noting that, ''a basis had to be prepared for peace. We try to prepare it, and we will continue to do so. However, we will not give up our state, sovereignty, equality and guarantee of Turkey.''
Stating that they would solve settlement and freedom of getting property according to TRNC laws, Denktas said they want to solve property problem through compensation.
Pointing out that the two peoples had lived among each other till December 21, 1963, Denktas said incidents erupted between the two sides because of Enosis goals of Greek Cypriots, and stated that they wanted a ''black list'' to be prepared to prevent Greek Cypriots, who committed crime, from passing to TRNC.
Denktas said they got positive messages from the world regarded with opening of doors.
Stating that impositions, made from outside, prevented solution of Cyprus question for 40 years, Denktas called on equal treatment to two sides on the island.
(AY) 14.05.2003