ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that what they thought at the moment was whether or not Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) could seize founding state identity in United Cyprus Republic. He said both sides should be equally expressed in the United Cyprus Republic.
Replying to questions in a program in a private channel, Erdogan stressed that they wanted a solution in Cyprus from the very beginning. Erdogan gave information about what have been done so far on the way to solution of Cyprus issue.
Stating that they discussed the issue with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in Davos, Erdogan said Turkey was a country which accepted good will mission of Annan.
Erdogan said TRNC President Rauf Denktas preserved his patience and maturity during the talks in New York.
Erdogan said they should be careful about the words and expressions while speaking about Cyprus issue, stressing that, ''I do not favor formation of 'give and take' mentality. There is a different account lying under this. What will I take and give? This is also valid for the other side. Then, it is difficult for you to obtain a result. I said, 'let us put forward this with 'win and win' understanding so that both I and you will win''.
Erdogan said both Cypriot and Turkish people should be prepared for the process which will start as of January 19, stressing that he would make statements to the representatives of newspapers and televisions within the week.
Erdogan said statements like ''we have defeated Greek Cypriot side,'' or ''we are beaten by the Greek Cypriot side'' were not helpful, adding that, ''the target is to solve the problem together. A new process starts on Thursday. This process should be evaluated well. A United Cyprus Republic will occur. Think of the situation of TRNC at the moment. It is under embargo. How long this embargo will last? We should think of the time after May 1.''
Erdogan said Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and all the other bureaucrats examined the issues in details, noting that, ''the point which we should reach here is that a United Cyprus Republic, having a flag and national anthem, recognized by the whole world will emerge. We should evaluate this well.''
Asked if he had to make ''fine tuning'' in the last day before Denktas's visit to New York, Erdogan said both Turkey and TRNC would pay the price of the negativities in talks, stating that he and Denktas discussed this issue in details.
When he was recalled that there were allegations that his statements weakened Denktas at the negotiation table, Erdogan said those were efforts to sow discord among them.
Erdogan said United Cyprus Republic would be formed by two founder states, adding that the two sides should be represented equally.
Replying to a question if he had confidence in Annan, Erdogan said they knew the plan, and that there was not anything to feel concern as Annan could not go beyond the plan.
Erdogan said the two sides should agree on the text about referendum, noting that Greece and Turkey would intervene and work on the agreement in case the sides fail to agree. Erdogan said, ''we will invite Annan to the table if they can not reach an agreement. May be there will not be any need for this. This has two valves. One is the referendum and the other is Parliament. The same thing is valid for Greece.''
When journalist Fatih Altayli said ''it has been said that Turkey would give the Aegean and the Southeast if it gives Cyprus'', Erdogan said this understanding was ugly.
Erdogan said it was not possible to comprehend ''give and get rid of'' understanding, noting that, ''those impolite expressions are nothing else, but the statements of those who saw that things are on the right track which they could not manage to do for years.''
When asked if he believed that Turkey would be given a date in December if Cyprus question is solved till May 1, Erdogan said solution of Cyprus question would facilitate Turkey's full membership process. He said ''Turkey will not be a burden in the EU; it will help to ease the burden.''
Erdogan said a meeting would take in Brussels in March, and that issues would be re-evaluated there.
Asked what had been discussed during the dinner which he hosted in honor of German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel, Erdogan said, ''they talk about privileged partnership. We have told them that we did not hear such an expression in 40-year process. We don't have anything like this in our agenda.''
Erdogan said they did not talk about this with the EU member countries, stating that, ''our speed gives them a sudden fright. They are afraid that we will start negotiations and get ready for membership immediately.''
Erdogan said it would be a disappointment for the people if a date is not given to Turkey, noting that, ''creation of such a disappointment will lead us to different views. They should not do this. Erdogan said that EU was not a union of coal or steel, nor it was a Christian union, adding that EU in fact was a union of political values in Turkey's view.''
Erdogan said, ''we say this is not the end of the world. The process may continue. But we say that Turkey would change the name of Copenhagen criteria as Ankara criteria aiming to increase living standards of its people and put this into practice.''
Stating that Cyprus was a ''national cause'' for them, Erdogan said, ''we take necessary steps. Main opposition party has been given necessary information. Other party leaders will also be given information. However, Cyprus issue should not be made a domestic policy tool.''
(AY-AÖ) 17.02.2004