LEFKOSA - TRNC President Rauf Denktas said on Thursday that Cyprus was the most rightful and strongest cause of Turkey, adding that ''if EU is really going to admit Turkey, Cyprus is not an obstacle.''
Speaking during a meeting the same day, Denktas said that Turkey was very important for Turkish Cypriots and Cyprus was very important for Turkey.
Denktas said while they protected the rights of Turkish Cypriots, they were aware that they also protected the geopolitical rights of Turkey.
Equal rights were given to Turkey and Greece by 1960 partnership agreement, Enosis was prohibited and Cyprus was barred from joining an organization which does not include Turkey as a member, said Denktas, adding that ''Greek Cypriots try to end that, they applied to the EU for that purpose. Guarantor Greece helped Greek Cypriots by staining its signature.''
Denktas stressed that EU which took as the basis human rights and rule of law, acted against those basic principles about Cyprus issue, adding ''the thing they say 'Cyprus train' is Greek Cypriot train. We want to make this train Cyprus train, but they don't accept it. Will we get on this train as a third class passenger or stoker, what is our status? In that case, we will be the minority of Greek Cypriots. We won't give in to that and continue to protect our legal rights.''
Cyprus problem was shown as an obstacle to Turkey on its EU path, Denktas said, adding ''why don't they put this obstacle in front of Greek Cypriots who caused this problem, who shed blood on the island? Turkey prevented the biggest genocide in the Mediterranean, Enosis and it brought peace to Cyprus. If they really want Turkey and if they are going to admit it to EU, the latter should not put Cyprus as an obstacle. Because Cyprus is the most rightful and strongest cause of Turkey. If EU makes Turkey give up Cyprus in return to giving a negotiation date, then Turkey will not have any other right to defend. Then, they can make Turkey do everything they want by using the same pressure.''
Criticizing Annan plan, Denktas said that ''we want to live side by side and in peace with Greek Cypriots. If we are going to make a partnership, we don't want it to remain on paper, but we want an agreement between the two states. The two states will transfer some of their authority to the central organization and therefore Cyprus will be united. But everybody will continue to live where they live today. We don't want to live together again and let our people die.''
Denktas said Turkey was aware of the importance of the cause, referring to the words of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who said that they wanted agreement on the basis of two nations, two states and with the guarantor rights of Turkey.
Stressing that the nation would support those who defend the state and motherland in the election, Denktas said ''those who say that Turkey is not their motherland won't win in the election.''
(Öª-AÖ) 04.12.2003