NEW YORK - TRNC President Rauf Denktas criticized on Monday U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan for meeting with Turkey, Greece and Greek Cypriot side, but not with him.
Denktas, who is in New York, had an assessment meeting with Turkey's Permanent Representative to U.N. Umit Pamir and other officials the same day.
Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Denktas said that ''recently U.N. Secretary General has been in continuos contact with Turkey, Greece and Greek Cypriot side, but he didn't contact us. I don't know why he isolated us, but he did that. Therefore we have many things to tell him.''
''Naturally we came here to protect the rights of Turkish Cypriots,'' said Denktas, noting that Turkey's rights in Cyprus should also be protected to this end.
''Turkish-Greek balance is very important for us, Turkey has done many nice gestures with good will to create a positive atmosphere. It took advanced steps, but there may be circles which can misinterpret those steps. Turkey's desire is to have a permanent peace in Cyprus and the parameters of that peace are known. Within that framework we came here to set up a strong, lasting and new partnership with the Greek Cypriot side,'' he said.
''U.N. Secretary General will determine if there is possibility of negotiation on Tuesday. I hope he determines that there is such possibility and the negotiations can be transferred to Lefkosa, but for that he must see that both sides are in harmony,'' Denktas said.
Noting that they were at the negotiation stage, Denktas said that ''we don't know the approach of U.N. Secretary General, so we will firstly talk with him.'' He added that he didn't plan to meet with anybody other than U.N. Secretary General.
(Öª) 09.02.2004