Denktas: Annan Plan Was Prepared By Those Who Do Not Know Cyprus Question

LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday that Annan plan was prepared by those who didn't know Cyprus question, stressing that the question could be solved on the basis of two states, and partnership of two sovereign peoples.
Denktas said, ''those who don't accept this should not come to put pressure on us with a plan. We don't have endurance for pressure. Our people lost tranquility because of pressure. Nobody has the right to make us uneasy.''
When journalists recalled that U.S. State Department made a statement saying that they wished starting of talks on the basis of Annan plan within the good will mission of the United Nations, Denktas said, ''I think those who made that statement don't know what Annan plan is.''
Denktas said Annan plan made half of Turkish Cypriots migrants, stating that it abolished bi-zonality, and diluted Turkey's guarantee on the island. Denktas said the plan was prepared in cooperation with Greek Cypriots.
Stating that the plan foresaw leaving of Turkish tanks from the island but that it also foresaw staying of Greek tanks, Denktas said the maps which were prepared gave the most productive parts of Turkish territories to Greek Cypriots.
Stating that Annan plan was prepared by those who didn't know Cyprus problem, Denktas said, ''if the Cyprus problem is to be solved, this should take place on the basis of two states as it was discussed in Palestine and Israel. Turkish Cypriots are not minority of Greek Cypriots, they had not been and they would not be. Cyprus does not belong to Greek Cypriots. It had never been and it would not be. Cyprus is the country of two peoples.''
When recalled about the news reports appeared in Greek Cypriot media saying that U.N. Secretary General's Cyprus Special Envoy Alvaro De Soto would soon visit Ankara, TRNC President Denktas said De Soto can go anywhere he wanted. Denktas said De Soto lost his role of impartial mediator between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots.
Denktas said De Soto lost credibility, stating that De Soto's attitude in accusing only him and the Turkish Cypriot side on referendum issue, which both sides rejected with various reasons, contradicted with humanity and justice.
Responding to a question whether or not EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen and U.S. State Department Cyprus Special Coordinator Thomas Weston requested appointment from him, Denktas said Verheugen got an appointment and that they would meet on June 19.
Stating that Weston told him that he would visit the island, Denktas said, ''we will meet those who want to meet. We will listen to him because we understand that he did not care the things we have told.''
(AY-ÖS) 30.05.2003