LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) which is exerting efforts for a solution to Cyprus issue launched a new initiative which aims to accelerate movements for removing lack of confidence between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot people in Cyprus and which also aims to remove negative effects of embargoes imposed on Turkish Cypriot people.
TRNC President Rauf Denktas who sent a letter to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan on Friday morning proposed that Lefkosa International Airport and a part of Maras which was closed should be opened to use of the two peoples under the supervision of the United Nations.
Holding a press conference, Denktas said that they believed that another new step could be beneficial by taking advantage of positive atmosphere which occurred after the gates were opened and stated that he thought that continuation of mutual confidence building measures would help preparation of a basis for solution of Cyprus issue which had not been solved for long time.
Denktas said that U.N. Secretary also connected Cyprus issue's not reaching a solution to lack of confidence between the two sides from time to time and stated, ''that's why, we say that we attribute great importance to confidence building measures and atmosphere which occurred after the gates were opened also confirmed it.''
Denktas said that he asked for U.N. Secretary General Annan to bring onto the agenda confidence building measures which had come to light in 1993-1994 and which were accepted by both sides as a principle but on which progress was not recorded due to some difficulties.
''It means that Lefkosa Airport should be opened for both sides under the supervision of the United Nations and a part of Maras should also be opened to use of the two sides. We will make public details of it later. We can give you Turkish copy of the letter tomorrow. U.N. Secretary General should receive it first. As soon as we learn he received it, we will give you Turkish copy of the letter,'' he stated.
TRNC President Rauf Denktas said that Turkey could open its sea ports and airports to Greek Cypriots and reciprocal trade could start if a positive step was taken about this issue.
Denktas said that Greek Cypriots had to say ''yes'' first, adding that ''in that respect, I also sent a short letter to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos including one copy of my letter to Annan, requesting him to assume an attitude giving encouragement to U.N. Secretary General as this could help in forming the necessary ground for solution of the issue.''
When told that ''it was always the Turkish Cypriot side which brought proposals,'' Denktas said that ''in my opinion, we benefit from such 'openings.' We benefit from them, the Turkish side always makes new 'openings', we show our good will and the whole world sees that there is no action in the other side. I hope they can respond to us, this is what we want.''
Denktas said that Turkey recognized TRNC and that it offered certain proposals to the Greek Cypriot side which didn't recognize TRNC, adding that this was not against Turkey, but it was to its advantage. Denktas pointed out that the packages were to the interest of whole Cyprus, adding that they would continue to announce packages. Denktas said new surprises were on the way.
''We must be sure of ourselves, we lose nothing, but we win many things and we will continue to win. What do we win? We form the basis of peace. Everybody knows why we could not form that basis for such a long time. We hope the Greek Cypriot side leaves behind its old view and accept the fact that they are not the government of the whole Cyprus and Turkish Cypriots. Certain things had to be done to found a common government, and we do these things,'' Denktas said.
Upon a question, Denktas said that studies on the comprehensive solution plan which was prepared with Turkey continued at an intensive level, adding that this would be announced at the right time.
Noting that they tried to improve the basis between the two sides, Denktas said that ''improving the basis means increasing the trust between the two sides. How can the trust be increased? It will happen if the two sides regard themselves on equal basis. We try to do that, we try to show our good will and equality both to Greek Cypriots and to the world. I hope we can be successful.''
(EÖ-Öª-AÖ) 11.07.2003