LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said that they had taken Turkey's assurance for protection of ''sine qua non of Turkish Cypriots'' and they would exercise whether or not two old partners in Cyprus could again found a new partnership on basis of equality in negotiations that would resume on Thursday.
Board members of Union of Sugar Factories Workers visited TRNC President on Monday.
They said they extended full support to Denktas's efforts and they were against every formation that might risk the future of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Speaking at the meeting, TRNC President Denktas said that a new and important period had started. ''By maintaining our unity and solidarity and protecting our rights, we will expend efforts to reach a compromise that both sides in Cyprus can accept.''
Stressing that people would make the final decision, Denktas said that there were two important valves of the process that were submission of a final settlement to separate referendums and approval of the Turkish parliament.
Noting that he would work in a constructive way and with good will to reach a compromise by protecting rights of the Turkish Cypriots and he would always inform people on developments, Denktas said they would work together in solidarity and unity and they would expend efforts to bring the case to a healthy point.
(MS) 16.02.2004