ISTANBUL - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Monday, ''they will give Cyprus to Greece through the European Union (EU)'' and stated, ''we are at crossroads now. Turkish Cypriot people will decide where they will go next Sunday.''
Addressing a conference entitled, ''the latest situation in Cyprus,'' Denktas said that the Greek Cypriot side's being accepted in the European Union (EU) unilaterally meant indirect ''Enosis.''
Stating that EU membership was used to lessen resistance of Turkish Cypriot side, he said, ''they have started to wave EU carrot to lessen this resistance. Turkish Cypriot people who see this carrot will forget their legal rights, and make legal Greek Cypriot side's illegal application. Thus, they will be bound indirectly to Greece through EU. This game is being played.''
Denktas said that Annan's plan was brought onto the agenda when he had some health problems and there was no government in Turkey and stated that Turkish Cypriot people were tried to be deceived by applying to referendum.
''They forced us to accept this agreement. They trained and supported the opposition for months as they understood that we won't accept it. They chose some local instructors. They planned those things. They created an atmosphere as if we did not want peace and carry on their path. Annan's plan has things Greek Cypriot people want.''
Denktas said that articles were written in newspapers and rallies were held against him, adding that ''they are playing a big game, they want to give Cyprus to Greece by an indirect way, by EU membership. Now we are in front of a fork in a road. Next Sunday, Turkish Cypriots will determine where to go at this juncture.''
Denktas said that ''we won't sign Annan plan which will end rights of Turkey on Cyprus,'' adding that Annan plan also wanted to end the rights of Turkish Cypriots and the right of Turkey to intervene in TRNC. ''They do the things to create an atmosphere for shedding blood after two-three years,'' he said.
Denktas stated that the claims saying that new elector logs were prepared for the elections were not true, adding that only 630 persons were added to the electors list in the last two years.
''Elections will be transparent, I hope those who claim the state will win the elections,'' said Denktas.
Criticizing the opposition in his speech, Denktas said that ''they say that they will win the elections, draw their policy with Turkey and walk on the common path. Why do they attack us? They accuse us of pursing a policy with Turkey. Those parties and institutions which insulted Turkey now say that they would walk together with Turkey.''
Denktas stated that money was sent to NGOs that were founded by opposition parties and municipalities belonging to the opposition, adding that this money was now used in elections.
(EÖ-Öª-AÖ) 08.12.2003