MERSIN - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ambassador in Ankara Ahmet Zeki Bulunc said that public surveys which were carried out in TRNC showed that current political power would also continue to be in power after elections in TRNC which would be held on December 14.
Bulunc told A.A correspondent that Turkish Cypriot people was a part of Anatolian people and stated that they considered national causes, loyalty to concept of motherland and respect to flag above everything.
Stating that Turkish Cypriot people would not give credit to a policy based on Annan's plan, Bulunc said, ''our people consider the future and sovereignty of TRNC as basis. Public surveys which have been carried out in TRNC recently showed that current political power will also continue to be in power after elections in TRNC which will be held on December 14.''
Bulunc said, ''no one should expect a different solution and development in Cyprus under any condition. Because we had already solved Cyprus issue with 1974 Peace Operation. Now, an agreement which is based on the existence of two states in Cyprus should be signed. It can be a new partnership on the basis of equal sovereignty of two states or neighboring relations of two separate states. A solution excluding those issues is impossible.''
Noting that the European Union (EU) could not put into practice its policies on Cyprus issue till May 2004, Bulunc said that thus, they would increase pressure on Turkey till that time. Stating that the EU would have to accept only Greek Cypriot side in May 2004, he said that thus, it would approve TRNC officially and a new period would start for TRNC. Bulunc said that TRNC's recognition would be easier on international platform then and noted that TRNC had to resist till May 2004.
Bulunc said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan put forth clearly Turkey's policy on Cyprus issue and stated that Erdogan clearly expressed the view that they would not consent to any solution which would not accept existence of two states in Cyprus.
''Prime Minister is carrying on a policy strengthening our hopes and supporting us on this issue today, as he did it yesterday. The world public opinion has seen clear attitude of Turkey,'' he noted.
Bulunc said that Turkish people considered Cyprus issue a national cause and stated, ''our biggest guaranty is Anatolian people and Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).''
''Chief of General Staff General Hilmi Ozkok said clearly that Turkish soldiers will not come out of the island, TRNC will continue to exist and he stated that any solution which is not based on two states will not be accepted. It is a reflection of national policy. We do not have any new expectation from TSK. TSK is an institution which always backed Cyprus cause,'' Bulunc added.
(EÖ-AÖ) 09.12.2003