Denktas: Atmosphere Is Good, But There Is No Action In Essence

LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Friday regarding the second day talks which were held within the scope of negotiations process in Cyprus, ''atmosphere is good, but there is no action in essence.''
Denktas replied to questions of reporters after second day talks that lasted nearly one hour.
Denktas said that they discussed where temporary buildings of central government would be located and issues such as choosing flag and anthem, however the content was not taken up.
Denktas said that the talks would continue on Tuesday due to religious holiday of Greek Cypriots.

DENKTAS: RESULT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO REFERENDUM
When reporters reminded Denktas while leaving TRNC Presidential Office for the meeting about the statement of Papadopoulos who said that ''the Turkish side brought demands outside the scope of Annan plan'', Denktas said that ''he will say so, and I will talk about my views too. We will discuss issues on the table. If there is something on which we can't reach agreement, Turkey and Greece will be contacted. If necessary, U.N. Secretary General will take part in the process. We will explain what we want, and why we want it. A result will come out and it will be submitted to referendum. Then, the people will give their decision. We will tell you everyday what has happened in the talks as there is no much time left and as we know it is not fair to explain everything to the people afterwards.''
Denktas noted that the things told everyday during the talks would be written somewhere; the issues on which an agreement was reached would be determined; and Turkey, Greece and if necessary U.N. Secretary General would take initiative regarding the issues on which no agreement could be reached.
''Then, the plan will be ready and presented to referendum. While this process continues, the people will become conscious and we will tell the people on the last days that 'we wanted that and that, and we achieved them, or we will tell we could not get the things we wanted, the former dangers still exist, and the decision is yours,'' he said.
Upon a question, Denktas said that there were news in Greek press complaining the statements he had made yesterday and also interpretations on statements of EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen and the statements of Papadopoulos who said that the suggestions of Turkish side were out of Annan Plan.
Noting that there was a discussion in Greek Cypriot side, Denktas said that there was a discussion on whether Annan Plan should be accepted with its current shape or it should be accepted with its changed shape.
Upon a question about the commitment to be made by Verheugen, Denktas said that it was a legal matter beyond Verheugen and they were continuing examinations on it.
The place of temporary buildings of central government will be discussed in the negotiation today.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto is also attending talks between Greek and Turkish delegations headed by Papadopoulos and Denktas.
(Öª-GC-AÖ) 20.02.2004