LEFKOSA - TRNC President Rauf Denktas said on Friday that the news claiming as if there was difference of opinion with the Turkish government about Cyprus issue was made on purpose.
Noting that the Turkish government talked about Cyprus issue within the scope of the decisions taken by the parliament to date, Denktas said that they were pleased with it.
Responding to questions of A.A correspondent asking if there was any difference of opinion between him and the Turkish government about Cyprus issue, Denktas stated that ''naturally the Turkish government regards Cyprus issue from Turkey's interests and from the perspective of Turkey's relations with the whole world. We regard it from Cyprus and we are in an approach to protect the rights of our nation. Turkey has both this approach and also it takes into consideration its other interests.''
Denktas stressed that ''Turkey says that Cyprus issue can be sorted out on the basis of realities and it lists the realities as two nations, two states, two democracies and Turkey's active and effective guarantee.''
Denktas stated that another situation could come out and Annan plan could be discussed if a preliminary study which would cover the realities in Cyprus was undertaken between Turkey and Greece, if maps were removed and if an atmosphere was created in which everything could be discussed.
''It is not possible to discuss this plan by imposing a certain framework on us,'' Denktas noted.
Touching on Greece's approach to Annan's plan, Denktas said that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, during his visit to Greek Cypriot side, said that ''we did Enosis'' and stressed clearly that Annan's plan indirectly meant Enosis. Denktas also recalled the statement of Simitis who said that ''Cyprus's EU membership means to open a new page for Hellenism. Cyprus is together with us now. This will have important influences on today and the future.'' Denktas quoted Simitis as saying that Annan's plan had a structure which foresaw continuation of ''Cyprus state'' and single sovereignty parallel to decisions which were taken by Greek Cypriot National Council in 1989.
Touching on the statement of Greek main opposition party leader Costas Caramanlis who said that Cyprus's EU membership was an important development in the history of Cyprus and Hellenism, Denktas said that 1960 agreements formed Turkish-Greek balance and stated that it was made to prevent indirect Enosis. He said that application to EU aimed to remove this balance and stated that Annan's plan also approved it.
Stating that they faced with a big attack and they did not have any chance except defense, Denktas said, ''we are told that 'you should sign it and rescue from Turkey.' There is not any Turkish Cypriot people who want to rescue from Turkey. We know that we have existed only with Turkey and we will exist with it. We are insistent on taking our state under de facto and effective guaranty of Turkey.''
Pointing out that they openly invited the observers, Denktas said, ''after seeing transparency and determining that it is legal, will they say to the Greek Cypriots, 'this is the will of Turkish Cypriots, you should respect this will from now on'. We want them to say this, and we invite them to observe the elections.''
Denktas said those who would come as observers would hold meetings with TRNC Higher Election Board (YSK) but that nobody has come yet, stressing that, ''those who want to come should inform them beforehand.''
Stating that U.S. State Department's Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston mentioned some names during his visit to Turkey, and added that those people could visit TRNC, Denktas said, ''we have not yet received such an application.''
Denktas said Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat had talked to British Prime Minister Tony Blair at a cocktail and that he tried to become a leader discussing Cyprus question with the foreign world. Denktas said, ''as far as I can see, he applies to Germany, and launches initiatives to meet with Fischer. Having a meeting is easy but who will you represent at the meeting? This will not lead Cyprus question to anywhere. Everybody should be careful to see that a very big game is underway. This game is about our future. It is about the links and rights of Turkey with Cyprus''
Referring to the statements of Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok to Greek press in which he said, ''we will not withdraw from Cyprus. Cyprus question should be discussed within this basis'', Denktas said, ''he in fact says Turkey's guaranty would continue.''
Denktas said those were included in 1960 agreement, and that Greek Cypriots worked to abolish this, and that Turkish Cypriots launched extreme efforts to prevent abolition of those rights, noting that no progress could be recorded unless facts were taken into consideration.
(ÖŞ-EÖ-AY) 24.10.2003