ANKARA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Friday that the following process in Cyprus talks was a matter of work, not hope.
Denktas appeared in a live program on state-run TRT-1 channel. When asked if he was hopeful for the following process, Denktas said, ''time was very limited. It is very difficult to work in this limited time. Therefore, keeping to the schedule is a matter of work not hope. Whether or not the schedule is obeyed will be seen in time and according to our initiatives.''
TRNC President Denktas stated that Turkey had ''sine qua non'' conditions and Turkish Cypriots accepted them a guarantee.
Turkish Cypriots objected to the effort of the other side to ''include European union (EU) in the arbitration team'' and did not accept that proposal, Denktas said.
Denktas noted that the fact that Annan plan was open to changes was accepted thanks to initiatives of the Turkish government.
''It can be said that the stage reached today was a success for both sides,'' Denktas said.
Denktas stated that both United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan and the United States and Britain had seen the party which was in fact causing difficulties in talks.
''The Greek Cypriots expected us to escape from the table. But, this didn't happen. We waited on a chair for 11 hours and we negotiated,'' Denktas said.
Denktas noted that as TRNC officials, they were in continuous contact with Turkey in that process, adding, ''we continuously felt the support of Turkish President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister behind us.''
DENKTAS: TURKISH CYPRIOTS WILL DO THEIR BEST PROTECTING THEIR RIGHTS
Denktas told Bayrak Radio Television (BRT) on the phone that negotiations aiming at settlement of Cyprus issue would resume on February 19.
Denktas noted that an agreement to be reached in Cyprus would be European Union (EU) acquis.
Noting that TRNC would be economically protected for some time, Denktas said that a commission would be formed to that end.
Denktas stated that equality and sovereignty and principle of existence of two nations in the island would be protected, big migrations would not occur because TRNC would not make any concessions of those issues.
An agreement could be reached if TRNC would be satisfied with the above mentioned issues, Denktas pointed out.
Denktas said, ''we are at the beginning of a process. If we can make a good agreement which can be accepted by two sides, we will make it. Otherwise, we will continue our path. Our state and people will not lose.''
The last process of a big case had started, Denktas stated.
Denktas noted that Turkey and TRNC would walk together in that process.
EU would not be a side to Cyprus talks but only would extend economic assistance for development, Denktas said.
Denktas added that he might leave New York on Saturday in case weather condition in Istanbul would be better.
TALAT: WE ARE CLOSE TO A SOLUTION FOR FIRST TIME
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Friday that they were close to a solution in Cyprus that much for the first time.
Talat told Bayrak Radio Television (BRT) on the phone that TRNC would use all its force and talent to reach a solution.
An important step had been taken in meetings and consultations on Cyprus in New York, Talat said.
Negotiations would resume in the island on February 19, Talat said.
But, Talat noted, sides should form technical committees before that and notify it to United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Talat stated that there was a schedule before them and they should obey that schedule to reach a solution with a constructive attitude.
''There is a very difficult negotiation process before us,'' Talat said.
Talat noted, ''in this process, we will take action altogether in cooperation and in social compromise. Then, this first step will be followed by others.''
Solution was inevitable, Talat pointed out.
Noting that the process would be experienced with Turkey's support, Talat said that Turkish Cypriots would reach a secure port in the end.
FM DENKTAS: CYPRUS ENTERS A MORE DIFFICULT PROCESS
TRNC Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas said on Friday that Cyprus had entered a more difficult process after the compromise reached at the United Nations (U.N).
Denktas told reporters that a difficult and busy negotiation process was before them and warned everybody that it would not be right to assume right now that ''there was solution before them.''
''I can say that we have reached a satisfactory outcome, working in harmony with Turkey. A plan will be before us on March 31 as it happened today and we will decide whether this plan is for our benefit or not,'' Denktas said.
Denktas added that ''forty-year isolation of Turkish Cypriot people would end after today's compromise even if the result becomes ''no'' in the referendum.''
ZIYAL: PROCESS TO START IN CYPRUS IS A PROCESS TO BE CONCLUDED WITH TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal said on Friday that the Cyprus process which had started in New York earlier in the day was a process to be concluded with Turkey's European Union (EU) membership.
Ziyal told reporters that parties should work with good will and intensively from now on.
Praising contributions of the Greek Cypriot side, Greece, the United States and Britain to the process, Ziyal said, ''but, Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have made the biggest contribution to the process.''
(BRC-AÖ) 13.02.2004