Bengi: When Policies Are Produced About Cyprus Issue, Realities Should Be Taken Into Consideration

LEFKOSA - Anadolu Agency (A.A) Director General and Executive Board Chairman Hilmi Bengi has said that Turkish Cypriot people reached tranquility and peace after 1974, and stated, ''when policies are produced about Cyprus issue, realities should be taken into consideration.''
Bengi, A.A Deputy Director General Tahsin Akti and Foreign News Desk Chief Ceyhun Erguven, who came to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus upon the invitation of Turkish Agency Cyprus (TAK), visited on Saturday Murataga-Sandallar-Atlilar cemeteries, Namik Kemal Prison and Gazimagusa.
Bengi said that mass graves, which they visited accompanied by TAK Director Emir Ersoy and Deputy Director Perihan Aziz, impressed them very much and stated that it was impossible to say that Turkish Cypriot people had a good life before 1974, on the contrary they suffered a lot. He added that Turkish Cypriot people reached peace and tranquility after 1974.
Stating that foreign politicians who were seeking a solution to Cyprus question should also take into consideration this fact, Bengi stressed that a solution should be found under the light of realities in Cyprus.
Bengi said that they were not politicians and he explained his observations as a journalist and stated, ''when policies are produced about Cyprus question, realities should be taken into consideration.''
Bengi who explained his observations about elections to be held in TRNC on December 14, said that elections would be held in a peaceful and democratic environment.
''There is not any tension. Turkish Cypriot people are democratic and tolerant,'' he said, and noted that international organizations which were seeking a solution to Cyprus question should also take into account this tolerance.
Stating that they visited TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu and Foreign Minister and Defense Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu during their three-day visit, Bengi said that they also found chance to meet with their colleagues in Foreign Press Association.
A.A Director General Bengi said that they visited TRNC as the guest of TAK and stated that they saw working conditions of TAK in its place. Bengi added that as A.A, they were ready to extend every kind of support to TAK in their activities as they did so far.
Recalling that they made a joint statement with TAK, Bengi said that the two agencies would focus on studies on mutual training.
Bengi said that they had the chance to see everywhere in TRNC and thanked Ersoy, Aziz and personnel of TAK for their hospitality.
He noted that they were departing from TRNC with good impressions.
Meanwhile, Ersoy said that they were very pleased with hosting Bengi and accompanying delegation in TRNC and stated that they held some meetings with A.A delegation. Ersoy added that they wanted to see A.A delegation in TRNC again.
Bengi, Akti and Erguven later left TRNC for Ankara.
(EÖ-UK) 23.11.2003