LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Wednesday that Annan's plan was not a realistic approach to solution of Cyprus issue and stated that it was a result of bargains which were made without informing him about developments.
Denktas hosted a luncheon in honor of Ankara Chamber of Trade (ATO) delegation, holding talks in TRNC.
Denktas, ATO Chairman Sinan Aygun and Assembly Chairman Nuri Gurgur held a joint press conference.
Criticizing Annan's plan, Denktas said, ''they have begun a journey here. They deceived people. If I had signed the plan, what condition we would have had? They have understood unstable parts of the plan. They placed their statement 'we accept the plan' with 'we are ready to negotiate the plan'.''
Upon a question, Denktas assessed Loizidou case and stated that there was a big struggle and time was gained till 2006.
Denktas said that as a member of Council of Europe, Turkey's paying compensation was an issue of saving honor of the ECHR and added that he hoped that EU side would come to Cyprus during the time that was gained and would see facts.
Stating that he hoped that they would put a realistic diagnosis on Cyprus and would treat both sides equally after they saw the will of people in elections, Denktas said that Turkish Cypriot people saw the facts.
Concerning December 14 elections, Denktas said that most of people were loyal to their state and nation and noted that Turkish Cypriot people were loyal to principles of Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic.
Criticizing European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, Denktas said, ''no one would make gaffes which Verheugen did. He attacks on us with great virulence. He does not like Turks.'' Stating that Verheugen, as an EU Commissioner, should not carry out double standards toward one of two peoples that he wanted to see as member of EU.
Denktas said that rights which were granted to Turkey and Turkish Cypriot side in 1960 agreements were valid and they should be preserved. He stated that facts would reveal in time.
Responding to Clerides who said that ''they sit at the negotiation table to show Turkish Cypriot side as if they were intransigent,'' Denktas said that Clerides did not show patience and told truths and added that truths would reveal in time.
Stressing that everybody should accept that Turkish Cypriot people were one of two equal peoples on the island, he said that the world should know that Greek Cypriot side believed that it would achieve things that it could not make through bloodshed and terrorism in the past through EU now. Denktas said that unless this belief persisted, seeking for solution would not yield any result.
Denktas said nobody could reach anywhere by making him a target.
Responding to a question, Denktas said, ''Madam Loizidou took compensation because she could not come to her house. When she was asked now whether or not she would go to her house, she said that she would 'not go to her house before occupation was lifted'. As you see, decisions taken without any information on the issue do not help solution of problems.''
Criticizing Greek Cypriot side's demands for compensation covering the period after 1974, Denktas said, ''then what would our losses between 1963 and 1974, including destruction of 103 villages? The losses of foundations during the British rule are also revealed.''
(EÖ-AÖ) 03.12.2003