LEFKOSA - He could not see anything in the plan at the moment on which affirmative vote could be cast, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Thursday.
Denktas told reporters that he had studied changes made in United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan`s final plan for Cyprus but he could not see anything in the final plan which could be ``accepted.``
Whether his view on the plan was ``positive`` or ``negative`` was not important, Denktas said.
Denktas noted that what was important was his people`s vote on the plan and stated that therefore, his people should know everything related with the plan before the referendum.
Stating that there was not any compromise between Turkey and Greece, and between TRNC and Greek Cypriot side, Denktas said that he could not know what kind of a result could come out of the referendum in which the uncompromised plan would be voted.
Denktas said that he and TRNC delegation which joined negotiations in Buergenstock, Switzerland would return to the island.
Expressing his concerns over property issue and derogations, Denktas said that some issues in the plan were changed in favor of Turkish Cypriots thanks to initiatives of the Turkish delegation but he needed to study the whole plan.
Annan presented his final plan to parties late on Wednesday after four-party Cyprus negotiations ended among delegations from TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece.
Turkish delegation was headed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Greek delegation was headed by Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis.
Erdogan and Caramanlis joined the negotiations on Monday. Delegations from TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece were holding negotiations in Buergenstock resort of Switzerland since March 24.
TRNC and Greek Cypriot side started Cyprus negotiations in the island on February 19 in order to find a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus issue till May 1 on the basis of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan`s plan.
According to the Cyprus negotiation road map, two sides were expected to attend a quartet conference together with guarantor powers Turkey and Greece after March 22 to discuss issues on which they could not reach any compromise in their negotiations held in the island.
The plan will be put to simultaneous referendum in the island on April 24.
``I firstly want to say that there has not been any agreement between Turkey and Greece yet. There has neither be an agreement on this plan between Greek Cypriots and us. I can`t know what kind of a result can come out of a referendum in which an uncompromised plan will be voted. But, I think the Secretary General is determined to put this plan to simultaneous referendum in both sides in the island,`` Denktas said.
Denktas noted that he and TRNC delegation which had joined negotiations in Buergenstock would evaluate developments after the delegation returned to the island.
``Then, we can express clearer views on the plan. What is important how they consider property issue, how destructive the map is on our lands, what the issue of migrants will be, what our political rights and equality will be, and how permanent Turkey`s guarantee is. (European Commission President Romano) Prodi says that `derogations may be temporary and not permanent.` This means that they are leaving us to the hands and mercy of the Greek Cypriot majority after a certain period of time. We should calmly discuss all these issues,`` Denktas said.
Asked if he found the plan satisfactory, Denktas said, ``I don`t want to be unjust. Naturally, some changes are made in the plan in favor of us thanks to initiatives of our delegation in Buergenstock. But, I need to read the whole plan before I reply positively to your question. And, I also need to discuss it with my friends who were in Buergenstock. So, you should be patient for one more day.``
Asked what his attitude towards referendum would be, Denktas said that he would decide on the matter after he studied the plan and evaluated developments.
Denktas said, ``I can`t see anything in the current shape of the plan which can be considered affirmative. Let me first talk to my friends because whether my view is positive or negative is not important. What is important is people`s vote on the plan. My people should know everything about the plan before they vote it.``
When recalled that Turkish television channels broadcast that `everything was over and agreement was reached`, Denktas referred to the headline of the Cyprus Mail newspaper published in the Greek Cypriot side and said, ``I also think like the headline of Cyprus Mail. It said, `compromise hasn`t been reached`. Greece and Turkey have not reached any compromise and we haven`t reconciled with the Greek Cypriots. There is an uncompromised document before us and this plan has everything which can cause a fight between two sides when they are left head-to-head with each other.``
Denktas added that therefore, the plan should be calmly and wisely studied.
TRNC and Greek Cypriot side started Cyprus negotiations in the island on February 19 in order to find a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus issue till May 1 on the basis of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan`s plan.
When TRNC-Greek Cypriot side failed to reach an agreement, quartet meetings were held in Buergenstock resort of Switzerland since March 24 with the participation of TRNC, Greek Cypriot side and guarantor states Turkey and Greece. Turkish delegation was headed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Greek delegation was headed by Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis. At the end of quartet meetings, Annan presented his final plan to parties late on Wednesday. The plan will be put to simultaneous referendum in the island on April 24.
(AA) 01.04.2004