LEFKOSA - TRNC President Rauf Denktas said on Saturday that he didn't interfere with the process of forming the government in TRNC except telling political parties to form a broad-based government.
Issuing a written statement, Denktas said that he charged CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat following December 14 elections, in line with the Constitution and by taking into consideration democratic customs, to form the government. ''I suggested all political parties to show flexibility, and to set up a broad-based government by taking into consideration the sensitivities of the people. Presidency has not been and will not be a party to the contacts which parties had among themselves,'' said Denktas.
Denktas noted that the existence and continuation of the state, the prosperity and happiness of the people were the most important issue for him, adding that ''some press organs claimed that I tried to impede the efforts of Mr. Talat to form a government and I put pressure on Democrat Party (DP), which are not true. In other claims which were put forward, it is told that I tried to leave the National Unity Party (UBP) aside and prepare the basis for DP's joining the government. All these claims are baseless. I don't exert efforts to impede Mr. Talat's studies to form the government and I don't try to bring advantage to DP by leaving aside UBP. Presidential Office supports its state and nation and it is at equal distance to all political parties.''
Denktas recalled that he called political parties to leave aside their earlier positions and to come out from election atmosphere, adding ''at this stage any approach that does not take into consideration the expectations, concerns and sensitivities of the people is not to the advantage of the nation. It is the time to ensure social unity and integrity and to say 'no' to games wanted to be played against TRNC. No body has the right to act irresponsibly and to target state officials and institutions for the sake of gaining internal political advantages.''
(Öª) 10.01.2004