LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that people had the authority on Cyprus issue, stating that people would determine their own destiny.
Denktas received members of National Solidarity Council.
Speaking at the meeting, Denktas said people would pass a very big test noting that, ''if the people are mistaken, and if they take a decision just for their own interests or some other ideas, then they will sentence the whole people.''
Denktas stressed that the Turkish side would be deceived if desired amendments could not be made to Annan plan, basic conditions could not be included in the plan and if the rights given to Turkish side are not considered as first class laws by the European Union (EU).
Denktas said this would be unreturnable, stressing that, ''everybody should act with their own reason. We give you information everyday to make you act with your own will.''
Denktas said the support was not expended to himself but to the cause that was defended, adding that, ''all of us did every kind of sacrifices to form this state.''
Stating that many people lost their relatives in this cause, Denktas said struggle was given not to break off from Turkey and not to waste Turkey's rights on Cyprus.
Denktas said there was fear in everybody at the point that was reached, and noted that, ''we are afraid whether or not our state, equality of our people and sovereignty will be taken from us. We think that if people know what they defend and what should be taken, they will decide that they could not give them.''
Denktas said, ''there is a very big opinion confusion that 'EU is salvation' and 'EU is opening to the world.'' He said, ''we should ask the cost of it. Everything that will be given to us has a cost. If the cost is your freedom, state and your future, naturally you will say they would not be given. You should act according to this.''
Pointing out that his authority to decide on behalf of the people was taken from him, Denktas said, ''it is taken because the whole world told us and Turkey that we should walk till to the referendum envisaged by Annan Plan. We were obliged to walk on this path as Turkey accepted it. When Turkey said Annan Plan could be negotiated, it became a duty for us to negotiate Annan plan and make changes on it. What will happen if we can not amend it? I can not reply to this question. I can not say my people would not accept it because people would be asked. It is the people who would give an answer to it.''
Denktas said some people, particularly the citizens coming from Turkey were deceived, adding that they were told that they would take EU passport, would be given money and sent to Anatolia in case they say ''yes'' in the referendum.
''Those people should not be deceived,'' Denktas said, noting that this was crime and murder and contradicted humanity. Denktas said everybody should tell people correctly what would happen.
Denktas said, ''we are trying to do this but as you see press organs make other statements.''
(AY) 10.03.2004