Denktas: Verheugen Caused Destruction Like An Elephant In A Porcelain Shop

LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen caused destruction in agreement basis in Cyprus, stating that, ''Verheugen caused destruction again like an elephant that entered a porcelain shop.''
Denktas staged a news conference and harshly responded to the statement of Verheugen on Cyprus issue. Denktas said Verheugen again created the suspicion whether or not he wanted a solution in Cyprus.
Stating that recent statement of Verheugen was made to give Turkish Cypriot voters the message that, ''support the opposition, which accepted Annan plan, during the elections''. Denktas said Turkish Cypriot people did not like interference and that result would be taken in election would be just the opposite of this message.
Denktas recalled that when talks had started with former Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides, Verheugen continuously said Greek Cypriot side would be taken to the EU whether or not there was a solution. Denktas said Clerides clearly stated that they sat at negotiation table for tactic, and that Verheugen made statements like an elephant in a porcelain shop when talks were underway for a compromise. He said those statements vanished hopes for agreement.
Stating that putting Cyprus as an obstacle in front of Turkey's EU membership was immorality, Denktas said the problem was caused by Greece and Greek Cypriot side, and that the EU made a mistake by accepting Greek Cypriot side to membership by disregarding the laws. He said this attitude made solution of Cyprus question more difficult.
Stressing that the EU should define the Cyprus question on the basis of the facts in the island, President Denktas said, ''the Greek Cypriot side failed to reach its target by using force. Now, they have been trying to reach their goal through the EU.''
Criticizing Verheugen, who described the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan as ''balanced'', President Denktas said, ''I do not believe that Verheugen has read the plan at all. If he had read it, he would have seen that it was not balanced. Even Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis said in his speech at the Greek parliament that the plan included decisions of the Greek Cypriot National Council in 1989, revealing that it was not balanced at all. Verheugen also said, 'those thinking about another plan are destined to failure.' In fact, this plan of Annan was neither the first nor the last. In the past, the Greek Cypriot side rejected many peace plans, but such criticisms were not made. Why? The plan does not take into consideration interests of the Turkish Cypriot side.''
Referring to statement of Verheugen about upcoming elections in TRNC, Denktas said, ''Turkish Cypriot people will give this commissioner who try to determine their future the necessary response in the elections.''
President Denktas also criticized Verheugen's words against himself, saying, ''I do not consider myself powerful. However, my people are powerful and I take my power from them. Both Verheugen and Europe should realize this fact some day.''
Denktas said that Verheugen did not hesitate to determine where people would go and stated that he would be given an answer on December 14.
Stating that ''Cyprus train'' which Verheugen wanted Turkish Cypriot people to also board for the EU membership was Greek Cypriot-Greek train, Denktas said that they were exerting efforts to make this train a ''Cyprus train.'' Denktas said they would not get on the Greek Cypriot train as a ''stoker''.
Responding to Verheugen, Denktas said he did not know what kind of talks Turkey held in cities like Brussels and Washington, but they received minutes of Turkey's all talks on Cyprus. Denktas added that Verheugen did not know what he said as he was confused.
Denktas said that EU focused on Greek Cypriot side and thus prevented compromise on Cyprus issue.
''Mr. Verheugen caused destruction again like an elephant that entered a porcelain shop. He did it to give our voters and our people the message which says that 'you should support the opposition which accepted Annan's plan.' Verheugen will also see that he will receive an opposite result. This people don't like interference. Turkish Cypriot people have their own will. This people struggled for their freedom and won it. EU has to appreciate it and it will do.''
TURKEY HAS SAVED HONOR OF THE COURT WHICH TOOK A POLITICAL DECISION
Denktas said, ''we have been in perpetual contact with Turkey about the lawsuit filed by Greek Cypriot woman Titiana Loizidou. In fact, Turkey has saved honor of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which took a political decision, by accepting a part of this decision.''
Reminding that the basic decisions in the case were postponed till end-2005, President Denktas said, ''this is a good development. We hope that they will understand that we put forward the foundations of peace logically and do not sit at the negotiation table for tactics and see our determination to settle peace in the island and some changes will be made to this end.''
When Denktas was reminded that there were different comments whether or not the decision would set a precedent for the other applications made by Greek Cypriots, Denktas said, ''Turkey accepted the decision on condition that it would not serve as a precedent. Other parts of the decision can not be put into practice in case it serves as a precedent. This is not a decision that can be implemented. It will remove solution of Cyprus question in case it is implemented. No Turkish Cypriot will again be a refugee by leaving his assets and investments here where they came by leaving their property in the south. Expecting this and thinking that a compromise would be made on this is the biggest mistake and shame. He said this was also against human rights.''
Stating that property issue would be solved through mutual concession and understanding, Denktas said, ''it is immoral, a crime, a sin and shame to disregard the compensations that should be paid to Turkish Cypriots for their sufferings from 1963 to 1974, and to give compensation only to Greek Cypriots. It is to ignore the realities and support Greek Cypriot side.''
Emphasizing that the compensation which the Turkish Cypriot side would take from the Greek Cypriot side would balance the compensation that would be given to Greek Cypriots, Denktas said, ''accounts of those should be made immediately. It is already made every year.''
''You will on the one hand disregard the sufferings that Turkish Cypriots had to go through from 1963 to 1974, and on the other hand say 'which Greek Cypriots cannot go to their home after 1974. Oh very sad!' I hope Turkey uses this very strongly.''
Denktas said Loizidou again made a statement today saying ''I will not return to my house as long as occupation continues'', stressing that, ''will they still pay compensation to her?''

(UK-AY-AÖ) 03.12.2003