ANKARA - Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Monday that he wished that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas had gone to Switzerland with his vast knowledge, experience, courage and successes in politics and defended their rights bravely.
Recalling that Cyprus negotiations were held in New York a few months ago, Arinc told A.A that Turkey had great effect on it. Noting that Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had intensive efforts on the issue, ''because a result should be reached which will be to the interests of Cyprus, Turkey, Greece and the European Union (EU) till May 1, 2004. Greek Cypriot administration which claims that it represents Cyprus will join the EU on May 1, 2004. This situation can yield unfavorable results as Turkey and Turkish Cypriot side remain outside. Everyone who is sensible wants this issue to be concluded successfully and Turkish Cypriot side and Greek Cypriot side to reach a new status as a united Cyprus state.''
Parliament Speaker Arinc underlined that the status in question should be permanent, prevail peace, and take into consideration the sufferings experienced in the past and the facts in the island.
Arinc said the duty of the politician was to reach a beneficial, successful and lasting result as failing to reach a result would have important drawbacks. ''Whatever necessary should be done by taking into consideration all the risks and undertaking the responsibilities. Now that this can be achieved at negotiation table and with compromise. I think it is Denktas who knows this the best,'' Arinc stressed.
Arinc said it was possible to see Denktas in every stage of Cyprus question throughout his 80 year old life, who even endangered his life. He was threatened with murder, sent to exile, and put into prison in the past, Arinc recalled.
Arinc said agreement was reached in New York on four issues regarding Cyprus question, and stated that, ''Denktas was among those who reached the agreement. Now, he says he was under pressure, but this should not be said by an experienced politician. Because the sides reached agreement on a road map in New York. Furthermore, it was reported that Denktas was the biggest factor in providing this success. ''
Stating that at the first stage there had been a meeting among the communities on the island and this stage ended, Arinc said reaching a solution on Cyprus question was left to the four-way meetings.
''Then, both sides will submit their all plans, views, programs and revision requests about the Annan Plan to United Nations Secretary General Annan. Annan will arrange them. Later, both communities will resort to referendum on April 20. They accepted to do all these in New York. I wished that President Denktas had gone to Switzerland with his vast knowledge, experience, courage and successes in politics and defended their rights bravely. I wished that he had continued to explain the truth in the ensuing stages and that the Turkish Cypriot people had taken their decision in the referendum,'' he said.
Arinc recalled that President Denktas did not want to attend the four-party conference in Switzerland, and had given full authority to TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and the other officials.
''I hope that the four-party conference will be successful,'' he said.
Arinc added, ''President Denktas may have wanted to take future of our kinsmen living in TRNC under guarantee with his decision. Also, he may have wanted to further strengthen the Turkish Cypriot side's position in the four-party conference in Switzerland. Maybe, he has seen some interests which we could not envisage. I wished that President Denktas had advocated all facts about the Cyprus as a serious, determined and responsible politician. I wish success to those who will attend the talks in Switzerland. I believe that President Denktas will assist them in each stage.''
(EÖ-AY-UK-AÖ) 22.03.2004