LEFKOSA - U.S. Department of State Special Coordinator to Cyprus Thomas Weston defended on Thursday that Annan Plan was the only way for solution of Cyprus question, and noted that negotiations should resume on the basis of Annan Plan.
Speaking at a news conference in the buffer zone in Lefkosa, Weston said resumption of talks on the basis of Annan plan was the most important thing, stressing that an agreement should be made till the date that was set, and that it should be resorted to referendum in both sides.
Pointing to the results of elections in TRNC, Weston said there was an uncertainty in settlement of new government, and noted that he could not get a full impression during his talks when this uncertainty would be removed.
Weston said he told the sides whom he met that Cyprus question should be solved soon, and that they were ready to help the sides.
Replying to a question that Ankara prepared a new plan on Cyprus issue, Weston said he did not have information about Ankara's plan, and that there was only one plan, and that Annan plan was the most realistic and productive plan. Weston said there was not any other plan in question.
Noting that he had a long and productive meeting with TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Weston said they tried to discuss almost all the issues, yet that they were not in consensus on every issue, noting Annan plan was one of them.
Replying to a question, Weston pointed out that there was property problem in Cyprus which started in both sides before 1974. He said property problem could be solved while negotiating Annan Plan. However, Weston did not use a clear statement how property problem could be overcome.
Replying to another question, Weston underlined that the negotiator was Denktas at the moment, stressing that he could not say anything about what could happen in future.
Weston said some of Turkish Cypriot leaders were close to views of U.S. and U.N., stressing that some of them were far away. He said they were not at a point to put pressure on anybody.
Weston said whole of the Turkish Cypriots called for a solution, but that a great majority wanted solution and EU membership on the basis of Annan plan. Weston said he was optimistic for a solution, and that political willingness was necessary for this.
Reiterating that they thought of resuming talks as soon as possible, Weston said there were many technical issues that should be done, and that they would encourage the sides for a solution.
DENKTAS: WE ACCEPT NOBODY TO GIVE ORDERS TO TRNC STATE ON WHOM IT WILL INCLUDE IN ITS ELECTOR'S LIST
Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Thursday that they were disappointed with pro-Greek Cypriot attitude of Thomas Weston, U.S. State Department's Special Coordinator for Cyprus. ''We accept nobody to give orders to TRNC state on whom it will include in its elector's list,'' he said.
Responding to a question, Denktas reacted to Weston who said that TRNC citizens whose origins were Turkey should be removed from the electors list in case Annan plan reached referendum stage and structure of electors should be examined.
Recalling that the opposition had no complaint about the issue, and especially Republican Turkish Party increased its votes and received votes from those whose origin was Turkey, Denktas said, ''the opposition had no complaint on the issue. But the Greek Cypriot side pokes around here again. And again the United States says 'all right' again to please the Greek Cypriot side. That is, the elections have been held with the list that has brought three municipalities to the opposition in recent local elections, and the number of people that is added to this list is normal. The opposition did not have any complaint. They even thanked for the transparency. Now, whenever a Greek Cypriot asks a question, the United States opens a door that can be moved to every side. We are very disappointed with such things. That much pro-Greek Cypriot attitude really disappoints us. Our list (electors list) is complete. We accept nobody to give orders to TRNC state on whom it will include in its elector's list. The right to speak on the issue belongs to the Higher Court and Higher Election Board.''
Noting that they were very amazed that nobody wanted to see that there was a people in Cyprus who was equal to Greek Cypriots, Denktas said, ''if they really want a solution of problem, they should stop seeing everything whose quantity is two as one in Cyprus. There are two people. There are two languages. There are two cultures. There are two motherlands. There are two flags. There are two national anthems. There are two states. The move to see these as one and unite them could not solve the problem for 40 years. They don't see their mistake again.''
Denktas said the Greek Cypriots who applied to European Union in order to possess the whole island were considered as ''legal government'' and thus relaxed, adding that they were saddened with this attitude.
Noting that Annan plan could not solve the Cyprus issue, Denktas said, ''I asked Weston: Is (Greek Cypriot leader) Papadopoulos ready to present the Annan plan to referendum in its current shape? The answer: 'No, he is not.' What will we do then? 'He wants to amend it.' On which issues does he want to amend it? He wants to amend everything that gives right to Turks. What else? He wants more powerful central administration. What else? That the Republic of Cyprus will continue should be given more emphasis. The disputes are all on these issues and these issues will be amended in their favor!''
Noting that in case they could not agree, the U.N. Secretary of State would put forward his views, Denktas said no problem was solved that way on any part of the world.
''We are very disappointed. Nobody could have thought that they would abuse Turkey's ambition to join the EU that much,'' said Denktas. ''By putting Cyprus issue in front of Turkey, by putting pressure on Turkey, they will arrogate Cyprus to Greek Cypriots and Greeks. This is where they are heading. Everybody should be aware of this.''
Underlining that it was not clear whether Turkey would be accepted to the EU or not, and whether a date to start negotiations would be given to Turkey or not, Denktas said, ''they play the game of 'snatch Cyprus and run' brazenly.''
Denktas said his difference of opinion with Weston was very clear, adding that Weston called Annan plan as a ''very good plan'' while he said ''it is suicide for me.''
Responding to another question, Denktas said he was accepted as negotiator by his people, not Weston.
TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR IN LEFKOSA VISITS CTP AND BDH
Hayati Guven, Turkey's Ambassador in Lefkosa, visited on Thursday Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH).
Guven who visited the political parties that entered Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) parliament in 14 December elections to congratulate them said he hoped the results would be beneficial for the TRNC.
Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of CTP thanked Guven and said, ''as we said during our election campaign, the government that we will form will certainly be in cooperation with Turkey.''
Mustafa Akinci, the leader of BDH, said, ''I hope the scene that emerges will contribute to legal rights and interests of all sides in Cyprus and contribute to future of Turkey and Europe. All our goal is a better future.''
WESTON MEETS WITH UBP OFFICIALS
Weston met with National Unity Party (UBP) officials following his meeting with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas.
UBP Secretary General Suha Turkoz and Ilker Nevzat participated in the meeting representing UBP.
Speaking after the meeting, Turkoz said they discussed both the situation after elections and the studies carried out to reach an agreement in Cyprus.
Turkoz said, ''in elections held on December 14, Turkish Cypriot people, having common sense, showed their willingness to act together,'' stressing that, ''what we should do is to evaluate the results of elections and to use this evaluation in efforts to set up government.''
Turkoz said they were careful not to repeat the things experienced in the past, and not to lose the vested rights.
Ilker Nevzat in his part said Weston told them that solution in Cyprus could only be reached through the proposals of U.N. Secretary General.
(AY-AÖ) 18.12.2003