LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) reiterated on Wednesday that new initiatives of Turkish Cypriot side were on the agenda.
Denktas replied questions of reporters and gave information about the new initiatives without giving details.
Denktas said opening of Maras to settlement under joint control with the United Nations was within this scope, but did not give details about the contents and time of the initiative.
Denktas said Maronites living in TRNC were within Greek Cypriot community under 1960 Constitution, but that any discrimination toward this community was out of question.
Speaking about the demand of Greek Cypriot side to open a Junior High School in Dipkarpaz, Denktas said, ''wherever in the world it was seen that a school is opened for seven children? This is political caprice.''
Denktas said new initiatives of Turkish Cypriot side was on the agenda, but that those could be announced at a convenient time, stating that their preparations continued.
Replying a question, Denktas said closed region Maras was within this scope, and that, ''our proposal to open Maras into settlement on condition that rights of Foundations in Maras are protected, is still valid. Maras is a part of our territory. We think of granting United Nations right to speak in order to prevent any security concerns of Greek Cypriots.''
Denktas said U.N. Security Council resolution about Maras was taken without having information about the property of Foundations in Maras, stating that Foundations Administration briefed U.N. Secretary General on the issue.
Denktas said, ''Foundations don't want the buildings, which had been constructed on its own territories after being taken wrongfully, to rot in time. Demolition should be prevented if Greek Cypriot owners of the property will not come. There are some initiatives in this respect. We want to act patiently and calmly for solution of the problem both by preserving the rights of the Foundations and Greek Cypriot owners of the properties.''
Replying questions about Greek Cypriots living in Dipkarpaz region of TRNC, Denktas said, ''they should not have any complaints. They come and go as they want after opening of the gates.
Denktas said they were looking for facilities for the Turkish Cypriot students living in Greek Cypriot side, yet that they could not yet taken a satisfactory reply. He said Turkish Cypriot students who could not get education or those who had to go to Greek Cypriot schools, could get education in TRNC. ''I think it will be beneficial if this issue is discussed between the two education ministers,'' Denktas stated.
Denktas said, ''junior high school can not be opened for seven children. There is no such practice in anywhere of the world. They want to add both primary and junior high schools. This does not mean education of children, but their soothing. This would not go beyond political caprice. The children get education in fully equipped junior high schools. They visit their families in the weekends.''
Denktas said no school was opened for 120 Turkish Cypriot students in the region either, and that those children got education in Erenkoy junior high school, stating that, ''Turkish Cypriots in Karpaz insist on junior high school. Government will probably evaluate this. In case such a junior high school is to be opened, then teachers that would educate children in Greek Cypriot language could also be appointed in the same school. Thus, they would get education both in Turkish and in Greek Cypriot language. Thus, they could get closer much easily.''
Denktas said applications continue to Compensation Commission set up in TRNC, stating that they were resolved not to make statements because of the pressures in Southern Cyprus.
(AY-AÖ) 17.09.2003