LEFKOSA - TRNC President Rauf Denktas said on Tuesday that they carried out an alternative study to Annan plan with Turkey, adding that that study would be completed soon.
Speaking to a programme broadcast in Bayrak tv channel (BRT) the same day, Denktas said that the new study formed a new model by taking as basis the principles. ''It will be a big surprise like April 23 decision, wait and see it,'' said Denktas. Denktas stressed that Turkish side would be the side which searched for a solution.
Referring to the meeting in question of some opposition parties in TRNC with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou who would visit Greek Cypriot side on Wednesday, Denktas said that as a result of his suggestions, the opposition announced that there was a problem about the place where that meeting would take place. Denktas stressed that the real issue was not the place of the meeting, but the fact that Papandreou would receive them not as political parties from TRNC, but as Cypriot citizens.
Denktas said that the opposition claimed that Turkey was supporting them, underlining that ''there is no such thing. They accept Annan plan, but Turkey says Annan plan has to change.''
''The opposition says they would act with Turkey, don't we act with Turkey? Then why don't they come with us?'' asked Denktas, remarking that the opposition kept silent towards the interventions of the U.S. and EU. Denktas said that was shameful.
When reminded about the statement of U.S. State Department's Cyprus special coordinator Thomas Weston who said that he supported opposition parties who supported Annan plan and that he would be in contact with those parties, Denktas said that ''they are already in contact. Was it me who went to their rally and clapped for it?''
Upon a question, Denktas said that giving support to Annan plan and saying that you are with Turkey were two contradictory things, adding that ''if you say you want to walk with Turkey, then come and join us. So that the world sees that the will of the Turkish Cypriot people is to protect its state, and not to give up Turkey's effective and active guarantee. The new partnership will be based on these principles.''
Denktas noted that the U.S.'s saying that it supported the opposition against the majority which wanted to protect its state in this country was never seen anywhere before.
Denktas stressed that there was no difference of opinion between the TRNC and Turkey about the national cause, adding that he had a phone talk with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul recently.
(Öª) 09.09.2003