LEFKOSA - TRNC President Rauf Denktas called TRNC citizens on Wednesday to apply to the concerned office for compensation regarding the properties which were expropriated in the Greek Cypriot side.
Speaking in a meeting, Denktas said that the places where Turks lived in South of Cyprus in the past were ruined, adding that a big part of those lands and properties were expropriated.
Denktas stated that a total of 241 Turkish properties were expropriated within one month after January 2003 when they started face to face talks with former Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides, handing out the list of properties expropriated in the last two years, to the press.
Noting that there was a certain period of time in which people had to apply for compensation and that citizens had to seek for their rights, Denktas called TRNC citizens to apply to the office founded in TRNC to this end.
Denktas pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side threatened those who applied to the compensation commission founded in TRNC, adding that the Greek Cypriot side preferred to apply to the European Court of Human Rights in order to propagate against Turkey rather than accepting the way that led to reciprocal compensation.
Denktas indicated that the number of Greek Cypriots who applied to the commission of compensation increased to 19 together with a new application they received the same morning.
Denktas pointed out that they encouraged Greek Cypriots to apply for compensation regarding their properties contrary to the Greek Cypriot administration. ''This does not mean that we recognize them, we won't recognize their state even one hundred years pass, but we'll do our best to get our rights,'' said Denktas.
Assessing the recent developments about Cyprus and responding to criticisms against himself, Denktas said that the basic philosophy of Annan plan was to admit Cyprus represented by Greek Cypriots, to EU. Denktas remarked that it was surprising for those who claimed that Annan plan would bring lasting peace to the island not to see that reality.
Noting that the elections that would be held in TRNC in December were closely monitored by many circles, Denktas stated that a lasting solution was only possible if Turkish Cypriots were not considered as minority.
''Do Greek Cypriots want reaching compromise with us under equal conditions and have we rejected that? Don't those who support Annan plan see that Greek Cypriots intend to have the whole Cyprus?'' Denktas said.
Denktas stressed that an agreement to be concluded without the guarantee of Turkey would not be lasting, Denktas congratulated the Greek Cypriot side for doing the things in line with their national politics. Denktas pointed out that even the rightist and leftist parties there could make cooperation when national issues were at stake.
(Öª-AÖ) 13.08.2003