LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that he had made the proposal for opening of the Lefkosa International Airport and a part of Maras under U.N. control for use of both sides under the confidence-building measures to equalize the ground of talks and compromise, but the opposition had started an attack against proposals.
Stressing that some opposition leaders had showed the anger which was not shown by Greek Cypriots at the latest proposals, Denktas said, ''because initiatives that aim to equalize and balance the ground of talks and compromise hurt them.''
Speaking to reporters, Denktas said that under his proposals in his letter to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, he had focused on the airport, and he had also wanted implementation of the U.N. 'Confidence-Building Measures' which had been presented in 1994 and envisaged opening of Maras in return for the airport.
''The opposition continues its campaign to deceive people, behaving shamefully,'' he said.
''Maras is not mentioned in my letter to the Secretary General. An attack has been initiated as if I were bluffing. Some opposition leaders are showing the anger which is not shown by Greek Cypriots at my proposal. Because they are offended and hurt by the initiatives that aim to equalize and balance the ground of talks and compromise,'' Denktas noted.
''Naturally, my letter to the Secretary General focuses on the airport and the formula which envisages opening of Maras in return for the airport, and it is mentioned in the letter. It is understood that they are behaving shamefully and continuing their campaign of deceiving people by accusing me deliberately,'' Denktas added.
(MS-AÖ) 16.07.2003