LEFKOSA - TRNC President Rauf Denktas said on Friday that they didn`t take up Annan plan with bad will, adding that the things which they would discuss with the Greek Cypriot side should be determined by indirect talks (proximity talks) and a framework had to be put forward.
When asked how he evaluated the words of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who said that ``we approached Annan plan with good will,`` Denktas said that ``we didn`t approach it with bad will. We are sincere in our evaluations and we don`t believe that Annan plan can be turned into a form which we like by negotiations.``
Denktas said that they would be in contact with experts of Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Ministry, adding that ``we will persuade them, or they will persuade us. I say Annan plan can not be amended in a way to save us because its philosophy is wrong.``
Denktas stated that a solution which could be based on the realities told by Prime Minister Erdogan was not in line with the philosophy of Annan plan, adding that all dimensions of the plan had to be negotiated.
Reminding the words of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan who said that ``you can`t get out of the frame of the plan. You can only amend the issues on which you reach compromise with Greek Cypriots,`` Denktas said that this was not possible. ``Because Greek Cypriots regard the issue by taking as basis the existence of 1960 republic. They want the rights and authorities given to the central administration to be further intensified. Most importantly they relate equality not to the existence of two national entities, meaning the Turkish and Greek Cypriot nations, but to the equality of founder `states` which lack sovereignty. And they want to transfer many Greek Cypriots to the `founder state` in the Turkish Cypriot side.``
Denktas stressed that the map presented by Annan plan was dreadful, adding that he was aware of the difficulties and the pressure on the Turkish government.
Denktas stressed that the issues he mentioned had to be amended by the two sides through indirect (proximity) talks, adding that if no amendments were made in the issues which he underlined before sitting at the negotiation table, then the opportunity will be given to Greek Cypriots saying ``you see Turks try to get out of the Annan plan and no compromise has been reached for that reason.``
``I understand that Mr. Prime Minister has the will to change the negotiator and the experts. Here, we discuss this issue. As the president, I have the right to appoint the negotiator. The Turkish government can tell the negotiator which it likes and I can appoint him/her. And, we will see to which point he or she will take us. We accept the proposal of Prime Minister Erdogan that `Cyprus issue can be sorted out upon the realities.` This is the basis of Cyprus issue and its solution can only be within that framework. If they can put this framework to Annan plan by proximity talks, then it does not matter who will be the negotiator. But starting to discuss Annan plan without doing that means sorting out the Cyprus issue within the scope of the philosophy foreseen by Greek Cypriots and losing Cyprus within time. I can`t do that,`` Denktas said.
Denktas stated that no point could be reached without changing the philosophy of Annan plan, adding that he was sorry as he was in the position of responding to the statement issued through the press by issuing statement again through the press.
(Öª-AÖ) 19.12.2003