DUZCE - TRNC President Rauf Denktas said on Saturday that Turkey would never permit Turkish Cypriot side to be Greek.

Addressing the opening of new building of Duzce Trade and Industry Chamber, Denktas said that Cyprus issue was a national cause and TRNC was established when Turkey showed its resolution. Denktas said that there were efforts to end Turkey's guarantor rights on Cyprus, adding that ''they try to take Turkish soldiers out from Cyprus. We fought together with Turkey for 50 years. Now they try to tear us apart.''

Denktas said that games were played about Cyprus in context of EU, adding ''it is not possible for us to join the EU without Turkey. This is our national cause. They say Cyprus issue is an impediment for Turkey. This is not true.''

(ÖŞ) 12.10.2003