DENKTAS: THEY ACT AS IF WE DON'T HAVE RIGHTS
LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Monday criticized the news reports in Istanbul media on Cyprus and said, ''they act as if we don't have rights. This weakens Turkey in bargaining. They give wrong messages to Greek Cypriots and to the world.''
Denktas received students of Girne American University and informed them about importance and role of media.
Replying to questions of reporters, Denktas said Turkish government was under a ''give and get rid of Cyprus'' pressure, noting that one of the biggest problem of Turkey was failure of media to expend support on Cyprus question.
Denktas said when Istanbul media was considered, an impression was seen as if ''Turkish public does not attribute importance to Cyprus and ready to sacrifice Cyprus.''
Denktas said he toured Anatolia, noting that everybody welcomed him in solidarity and that decisions were taken in Parliament about Cyprus unanimously.
''However, Istanbul media did not show this and the world thought that Cyprus could be sacrificed,'' Denktas said, noting that Turkey reacted against the condition put forward by the European Union (EU) saying ''come after solving Cyprus question.'' Denktas said, ''if the EU is sincere and really wants solution in Cyprus, it should put forward Cyprus condition in front of Greek Cypriots.'' Denktas said, ''there is not sincerity, there is intention.''
Referring to the statement of Higher Election Board calling on all authorities and political parties to take into consideration their obligations in the constitution, and that he was banned to focus on the possibilities regarding the elections. Denktas said but nobody intervened in the statements of foreign diplomats.
Denktas said, ''we continue to explain this cause, it is our duty, because our state is in danger. As the state is in danger, I am obliged to explain why the state is in danger. The danger stems from Annan plan.''
Denktas said, ''coming elections is a turning point. The thorny road which started in 1963, turns into peace in 1974, and the state was founded in 1983.''
''Our goal in founding the state is to serve peace,'' Denktas said, stressing that they wanted a partnership, however that they did not want an agreement on paper. Denktas said they wanted the agreement to be made on territory and state, noting that they did not rely on Greek Cypriots.
Denktas said Cyprus question had several dimensions, but that the most important point was uttered by one of the ex-Presidents Fahri Koruturk. Koruturk said, ''if Cyprus is seized by enemies, Turkey will no more be a country that is open to seas''.
Denktas said Greece wanted to break Turkish walls, and supported the opposition for this.
When a student reminded Denktas the allegations that appeared in Greek media that there was a tip off that he would be assassinated, and that he applied to tight security measures, he said, ''those are all lies. I was not threatened like this. We know their tactics from times of EOKA. They always did this. If somebody is to kill us, he would not inform about this. This is a part of fate in political arena. Everybody can be killed anywhere easily as Swedish Prime Minister was killed. Tight security measures were not taken by considering this as problem.''
(AY-AÖ) 10.11.2003