LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Tuesday that they started to discuss core issues today, adding, ''but we still cannot find a way out. Studies will continue.''
Denktas held a press conference and gave information about Cyprus talks. Noting that they asked Greek side about the missiles with increased range, Denktas said that the atmosphere became tense upon this question.
Denktas said that Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos reacted them by saying ''how can you ask this while you are having 25-30 thousand Turkish soldiers?'' Denktas added that Papadopoulos had the manner like ''how can you ask this; armament is a right.''
Denktas said that when they asked Papadopoulos whether it was true or not that they spent 30 million Cyprus Liras for the missiles, Papadopoulos replied, ''I do not discuss these issues here.''
Noting that those issues were brought onto agenda in the end of talks and the atmosphere became very tense, Denktas said that Papadopoulos left the hall before everyone.
Denktas said that the talks would continue at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow.
(GC-AÖ) 24.02.2004