LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu presented his resignation on Tuesday to President Rauf Denktas after the elections held on December 14.
Eroglu told reporters after his meeting with Denktas that he visited Denktas to present his resignation.
Denktas said that he accepted the resignation of Eroglu, adding that he requested Eroglu to continue his term in office until the new government would be formed.
Upon a question, Denktas said that he would start to meet with political parties as of tomorrow to designate a party leader to form a government. He added that the turn of his meeting with parties was not important, noting that the important thing was forming a government that could work in cooperation with Turkey.
DENKTAS: WE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH TURKEY
TRNC President Rauf Denktas said on Tuesday that Turkey was about to complete its preparations in respect of efforts for finding a solution to Cyprus issue, adding that ''I think we will have contact with Turkey soon.''
TRNC President Denktas received the same day TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu who submitted the resignation of the UBP-DP coalition government following Dec. 14 elections.
Eroglu stated that the government presented its resignation in order to give opportunity to formation of the new government and Denktas thanked Eroglu government. Denktas thanked the coalition government for the things they did for the people when it was in power and for its sincerity and harmony regarding cooperation with Turkey.
Denktas stated that ''a government which is not in harmony with Turkey, can't bring prosperity to people,'' adding that the motherland and TRNC would continue to walk on their path hand in hand.
Noting that certain circles reflected the election results as if they were the results of a referendum on Annan plan and claimed as if the plan was accepted, Denktas said that this was wrong.
Denktas noted that in case a referendum was held, he believed that the plan would be rejected. He also reminded the study undertaken by experts of Dogu Akdeniz University (East Mediterranean University) noting that according to the system in TRNC, if referendum was held, the results would show that rightist parties would get 51,2 percent of the votes and leftist parties would get 48,8 percent of the votes and therefore Annan plan would be rejected.
Denktas said that in case of referendum, the people would also think the issue from different aspects, adding that in that case, rightist parties would increase their votes.
Denktas said that the situation appeared after elections showed that it was necessary to be cautious and make cooperation. Recalling that he was called ''intransigent'', Denktas said that if he had reached a consensus, he would have had to give up rights such as sovereignty, equality and guarantee of Turkey. ''If they call me intransigent because I say 'no' to these, this is an honor for me,'' he said.
Noting that he would start to meet with political parties as of tomorrow to designate a party leader to form a government, Denktas said that he would meet with them according to his program, adding that there was not a special meaning in the turn of his meetings. ''Let's see who can form a government and how?''
When recalled the news that Turkey was preparing for a plan to find solution to Cyprus issue, Denktas said that he had talked with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and added, ''they are about to complete their preparations as well. I think there will be a contact soon.''
HOW CAN GOVERNMENT BE FOUNDED ACCORDING TO TRNC CONSTITUTION?

PERSON TO BE DESIGNATED TO FORM GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO THIS TASK WITHIN 15 DAYS
According to the Constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the group chairman or deputy who will be designated by the President, has to complete its task within 15 days or give back the mission.
The process of foundation of the government functions under Article 106 of the TRNC Constitution as follows:
1- TRNC Cabinet is composed of cabinet, prime minister and ministers. Prime Minister is designated by President among deputies.
2- President designates a deputy or a group chairman in the parliament to set up the cabinet.
The deputy who is designated is obliged to complete this task within 15 days or return the mission.
3- President appoints prime minister and ministers upon the proposal of the prime minister and ends the term in office of a minister upon the request of the prime minister.
4- Ministers can be appointed among persons who are not deputies. But those persons should have the eligibility to be elected as deputies.
5- Those deputies who are appointed as the prime minister and minister don't lose their membership in the parliament. Those ministers who join the cabinet outside the parliament benefit equally from parliamentary immunity, but they can't cast vote in the parliament.
6- The existing cabinet continues to be in charge until the President appoints the new cabinet.
Article 109 of the Constitution regulates the term in office of the cabinet:
1- The list of the cabinet appointed by the President is fully submitted to the parliament. The programme of the cabinet is read in the parliament by the prime minister or a minister within one week following their appointment.
2- Vote of confidence is held after the programme is read in the parliament. If the government gets vote of confidence, no vote of no-confidence motion can be given in the following three months against the parliament.
3- No-confidence motion can be submitted against the prime minister by at least nine deputies.
4- If deems necessary, the prime minister can ask for confidence in the parliament.
5- If the majority of the cabinet members change in a period of 30 days, Prime Minister can ask for vote of confidence.
6- The prime minister who can't get vote of confidence or whose vote of confidence is rejected or the motion of no-confidence which was given against him is adopted by the absolute majority in the parliament, will submit his resignation to President.
(Öª-GC-AÖ) 16.12.2003