Denktas: Annan Plan Has Contents That May Destroy Turkish Cypriots

ISTANBUL - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday that Annan Plan had contents that may destroy Turkish Cypriots and tear Turkey off Cyprus.
Denktas addressed a conference in War Academies Command and evaluated Annan plan and views of Greek Cypriot side and Greece on this plan.
Denktas said the reply was negative when asked whether Annan Plan met what the Turkish Cypriot side wanted, stating that the plan had contents that might destroy Turkish Cypriots.
Denktas said those who put pressure for the plan to be accepted saw only one side on Cyprus, stressing that they denied existence of two peoples, and that they ignored that two separate democracies, underlined with 1960 agreements, were based on two separate nations.
Briefing on the plan, Denktas gave examples from the evaluations of Greek and Greek Cypriot officials, and said Greek Cypriot National Armed Guard Army Commander said national policy of everybody in Greek Cypriot side was to hoist Greek Cypriot flag on Girne.
Denktas said that the Greek flag in which Cyprus was included to it was distributed to everybody during the ceremonies on October 1 which marked the foundation of the so-called Cyprus Republic, adding that however that map was not shown by the Turkish media in order not to hurt the Greek friends or not to hurt those who believe in Annan plan.
TRNC President Denktas criticized the application of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU, and noted that the application was made to end the balance set up by the 1960 agreements and to open the way to Enosis.
Denktas said that the application violated the international agreements and that the EU didn't have the right and authority to change an international agreement unless the sides agree with that.
Denktas pointed out that ''the determination that no concessions will be given has to be shown. The realities and our rightful cause can only be accepted like that.''
Denktas said that nobody warned Greece or the EU, adding that ''I would like to read the decisions of Greek Cypriot national congress in order to warn you:they say the solution should be based on one sovereignty, one state, return of all migrants to their properties, return of all Turkish soldiers and end of Turkey's guarantor rights in Cyprus.''
Denktas said that despite that, it was mentioned that negotiations could continue within the scope of Annan plan, adding ''if the negotiations will start again, it should be stressed that Turkey would not give up its rights on Cyprus, the 1989 Greek Cypriot national congress decision should be lifted, Annan plan could only be discussed by re-discussing all of its dimensions and that the existance of two nations, two democracies and two states should be taken as the basis.''
Denktas commented that the EU also knew that it took a wrong step about this issue, adding that ''EU countries have been deceived, but they can't take a step back now.'' ''The pressure they put on us to make us abide by the deadline they formed for the illegal application of Greek Cypriots to the EU and the intervention they made on our elections is due to that reason. They also claim that Cyprus issue is an impediment for Turkey's EU membership due to that reason.''
''The only solution is to continue our determination. Cyprus issue certainly is not an impediment in front of Turkey. The side which started and makes Cyprus issue continue is the Greek-Greek Cypriot side. This issue which is not put forward as an issue in front of Greek Cypriots, is put as an issue in front of Turkey on purpose by those who don't want to admit Turkey to the EU. If Turkey gives in, the same sides will also find other impediments for Turkey. Therefore the only thing that could be reached at the cost of Turkey's giving up its guarantor rights and authorities is the possibility of Turkey's entering the EU after 10-15 years.''
Denktas stressed that the determination about membership of whole Cyprus to EU only by EU membership of Turkey would both disturb the game wanted to be played on Cyprus and it could also shorten the membership period of Turkey if they really wanted to admit Turkey.
Noting that the EU wanted to have the whole Cyprus and it should pay its price, Denktas said that ''the cost of that is confirmation of the rights of Turkey stemming from international agreements and recognition of the Turkish Cypriot state. An institution having two states and which is represented by one structure abroad, is a lasting result brought after 40 years. Rejecting this and the attempt to admit a divided Cyprus to EU without a compromise mean acquiring the things which Greek Cypriots could not do with weapons, through EU membership.''
Rauf Denktas said that Greece would not include Cyprus into Greek flag by using EU and everybody should accept that the Turkish nation would not give up its sovereignty, state and effective and active guarantee of Turkey by giving in to international blackmail and pressure.
Denktas stated that the borders in Europe were lifted by recognition of mutual sovereignties, adding that the border in Cyprus would be lifted when a lasting agreement based on two nations and states would be made.
Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok also watched the conference.
(AY-ÖŞ) 20.10.2003