LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Tuesday that if the Greek Cypriots did not accept the proposal to open closed parts of Maras in return for opening Lefkosa International Airport to common use, they would launch initiatives to open Maras under Turkish control.
Denktas made a statement that it was his opinion and that he had to discuss the issue with the government to put his view into practice.
They hoped the Greek Cypriots to give positive response to their proposal, Denktas stated.
Denktas said, ''but, they assume such a mood that they don't seem likely to accept it. We hope they will accept it.''
They would take measures to revive Maras in case the Greek Cypriots returned the proposal, Denktas announced.
Denktas said, ''will we wait and see the decay of those buildings without doing anything if they don't accept our proposal? Or will we take measures to revive this region and to make this region inhabitable? I think we should take these measures. We work on the issue. But, we will not detail the issue since we have not reached the stage of decision with our friends yet. We have to revive Maras.''
Replying to a question, Denktas announced that a response to his last proposal had not yet come from United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan.
When reminded some news stories in Greek Cypriot press which claimed that Greek Cypriot administration would close gates on July 20, Denktas said that TRNC would not close gates on July 20.
Denktas said that place and time of official ceremony was definite and stated, ''if they do not want, they do not pass from there that time.''
Stating that they celebrated anniversary of rescuing from a big genocide on July 20, he said, ''we do not have any concern. Gates are open. Place and time of official ceremony is definite. Nobody has obligation to come to here. We will not close gates. We are celebrating anniversary of rescuing from a big genocide. We are celebrating anniversary of preventing Enosis. If they feel sad since they could not commit genocide and Turkey prevented them, these are their concerns. We do not have any concerns, there are many ways.''
Denktas said that old assembly building was cleaned for the commission which would work for Turkish Cypriot people who had property in Greek Cypriot side to sue and stated that they would find lawyers who would work here and they would train personnel.
He noted that those things would be done under the supervision of chief prosecutor's office.
DENKTAS: ''WE HAVE GIVEN FREEDOM STRUGGLE FOR YEARS''
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Tuesday that Turkish Cypriot people had given freedom struggle for years and they were rightful in their struggle.
French Ambassador in Greek Cypriot side Jacques Depaigne paid a farewell visit to Denktas since his assignment in the island ended.
Denktas thanked the ambassador for his efforts and wished success in his new assignment.
TRNC President Denktas, ''Mr. Ambassador represents France, the country where freedom was born. We have given freedom struggle in Cyprus for years.''
Pointing out that the struggle had not ended, Denktas stated that struggle of Turkish Cypriot people for political equality and sovereignty would continue.
Depaigne wished that a fair solution would be found to Cyprus issue in the possible shortest time.
(BRC-AÖ) 15.07.2003