NEW YORK - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkish side would not be the side running away or leaving Cyprus negotiation table.
Erdogan, who addressed Turkish people in Turkish House in New York, said, ''if you defend your thesis well and if you trust your thesis and yourself, then you will never escape from negotiation table. Your rival should escape from the table. We will not be the side running away from the table. We are saying that we will sit at the table for negotiation. We should say a few, but essential and influential words at this table.''
Prime Minister Erdogan went on saying, ''the other side will come or won't come to the table. This doesn't concern us. But, we have very strong dynamics. Similarly, I have seen during my meetings with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) administration, particularly with TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat, Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas that we are right in our theses and we will sit at a table for negotiation process at the moment. So, what are the articles we have dwelled upon in negotiations so far? What are our sine qua non conditions? Let's leave all these aside. We should firstly sit at a table. Does the Greek Cypriot side says yes to many issues? No, it doesn't. It will leave the table if it doesn't say so.''
Erdogan continued, ''we have accepted good will mission of United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan. We agree on this. And, we are saying that we will accept Annan plan as a reference. We told this to Annan in Davos. And, TRNC is also saying yes. We told them that the Greek Cypriot side should put forth all its formulations. If they are convinced, TRNC will take one more step for every step taken by the Greek Cypriots. This is our current thesis. Let's see their approach.''
''We have carried out a detailed work on the issue. Our president and government are dealing with this issue. Turkish Armed Forces is dealing with this issue. Turkish Republic has a certain duty with its 70-million population, with its state experience and diplomatic experience. And, it will be behind its duty and exert efforts to settle Cyprus issue till May 1. We hope that two leaders will express their will to solve the issue till May 1. We hope they will be successful. And, if the Office of U.N. Secretary General succeeds in this mission, it will be very proud. We are supporting the Office of Kofi Annan,'' Erdogan added.
TURKEY ONLY WANTS NORMALIZATION OF LIFE IN IRAQ
Erdogan said Turkey only wanted normalization of life in Iraq.
Erdogan explained the process of motion on dispatch of Turkish troops to Iraq.
The parliament did not pass the motion those days, Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted that Turkey helped the United States when that country wanted to use Incirlik Base in southern Adana province for rotation of U.s. soldiers in Iraq.
''We only want normalization of life in Iraq,'' Erdogan added.
ERDOGAN AND GUL WILL LAUNCH INITIATIVES FOR ROLE OF MEDIATION BETWEEN ISRAEL AND SYRIA
Erdogan said that he and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul would launch initiatives for mediation between Israel and Syria.
Erdogan recalled Turkey's proposal to undertake the role of mediation between Israel and Syria, who were having tension between themselves.
Prime Minister Erdogan added that he and Gul would launch necessary initiatives soon.
DECISIONS ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE CLAIMS HARM GOOD RELATIONS
Erdogan said that decisions of parliaments on so-called Armenian genocide claims harmed good relations.
Erdogan said that he expressed his views about the decision taken by the Swiss parliament on so-called genocide to his Swiss counterpart during their meeting in Davos.
Asking what the use of such decisions of unrelated countries was, Erdogan said that such decisions would harm good relations between countries.
TURKEY WANTS ITS FRIENDSHIP PROPOSAL TO BE RESPONDED POSITIVELY BY EVERY COUNTRY
Erdogan said that Turkey wanted its friendship proposal to be responded positively by every country.
Erdogan said that Turkey did not think of a passive policy, but thought of an active policy in its foreign relations.
Prime Minister Erdogan stated that he did not want to respond to so-called Armenian genocide claims continuously.
Erdogan emphasized that there had been some historical incidents which were staged by the Armenians.
''If you are strong, all these claims will end,'' Erdogan said.
Touching on Turkish-Armenian relations, Erdogan pointed out that Turkey wanted to open border gates.
Erdogan added, ''if you want, Turkey will extend its hand of friendship to everybody. But, this hand should be responded by another hand of friendship. We say that you shall approach us as closer as we approach you.''
ERDOGAN CALLS ON TURKS IN UNITED STATES TO BE ACTIVE IN LOCAL POLITICS
Erdogan called on Turkish people living in the United States to be active in local politics.
Erdogan said that he wanted to get a fruitful outcome from his visit to the United States.
Prime Minister Erdogan stated that Turkish people living in the United States undertook great responsibilities and should lobby for their country.
Erdogan called on Turks to be active and take role in local politics.
Replying to a question, Erdogan said that necessary changes would be made to enable Turks living abroad to cast their votes for elections in Turkey.
(BRC-AÖ) 27.01.2004