LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Sunday that green line was a line formed to prevent mass killing of Turks against severe attacks of the Greek Cypriots in 1963.
Denktas, who is in Switzerland, told Turkish Agency-Cyprus (TAK) that approved reality could not be denied.
''Everybody who believes in his state should protect rights of the citizens without making any discrimination among citizens,'' Denktas said.
Referring to words of Lefkosa Mayor Kutlay Erk in a conference given to French diplomats that ''green line was a symbol of success of extreme nationalist circles'', Denktas said, ''this line is a line formed to prevent mass killing of Turks against severe attacks of the Greek Cypriots in 1963.''
Denktas emphasized that historical reality should not be deviated and the truth should be said when talking with the foreign diplomats.
Views that ''people with Turkish origin could gain the right to stay in TRNC in case Annan plan was signed and they lost that chance since the plan was not signed'' did not coincide with realities, Denktas underlined.
Denktas said that list of the names who could stay in the island would have to be given and a majority of people would return in case Annan plan was signed.
''Lands and houses of those who would stay would be taken from them. Since I didn't sign Annan plan, these people are staying in Cyprus now and use their rights,'' Denktas added.
Denktas is expected to return from Switzerland, where he attended Crans Montana Forum, to TRNC this evening.
(BRC-AY) 29.06.2003