Cyprus

BY FERAI TINC
HURRIYET- This time, the Turkish side is determined not to be ‘the party that escapes from the negotiation table.’ Not only with tactical steps but also with very radical decisions. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) accepted the Annan plan, the calendar for the establishment of the new state, to go for a referendum, and forming a united state before May 1. We shouldn’t get into the failure that Denktas had first said ‘no’ to the plan and now is accepting it. Denktas explains this as follows: ‘Kofi Annan was saying that he wouldn’t make any changes to the plan. But we saw that he started to say that he would be a little flexible. And we said ok.’ A new era of struggle begins for Denktas. He is preparing for a struggle to establish the new sate.
A very critical period will begin after the first stage in Annan’s calendar, suggesting the parties to meet and put forward their proposals for changes. The Turks and the Greeks will establish working committees of jurists, diplomats, politicians, bureaucrats and technocrats to prepare the agreement for the establishment. The studies are expected to begin until the end of February. Meanwhile, there are disputes about the flag, preparing the constitution and all these issues are very sensitive. The happenings will not only effect the people’s fate of the island but also ours. This will be a process, which will be observed very carefully. But a very important factor would be overseen, if this concern is despised. That is the public opinion, one of the most fundamental bases of the new state.