LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said, ''taking into consideration negativity of the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, I will say 'no' to this plan. I will explain my reasons of rejecting the plan to my people soon.''
Speaking at a program on the Eurasian Radio and TV Channel, President Denktas said late on Friday that the Annan Plan envisaged withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from the island.
When recalled that TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat had asked to be impartial in the referendum process, President Denktas said, ''I am obliged to explain my reasons and my attitude about the Annan Plan. However, I am not obliged to call on Turkish Cypriot people to accept a plan creating many difficulties on the issue of properties; destroying guarantees in the course of time; and accepting derogation first for a certain period of time and then eradicating our defensive measures.''
Pointing out that a struggle of thought would emerge in the referendum process, President Denktas called on people to prevent clashes and to act as civilized citizens.
''Impartiality is in question for elections among political parties. I am in favor of our state. Should our state be destroyed? Should Turkey's guarantee come to an end? Should our derogation continue forever? These are the issues high on our agenda. According to my point of view, if we accept this plan, Turkish Cypriot people will have to withdraw from the island in the next ten years. Taking into consideration all these, I will say 'no' to this plan. I will explain my reasons of rejecting the plan to my people soon,'' he said.
Upon a question, President Denktas added, ''the Turkish government's point of view is a little different from our point of view. Today, Turkish Cypriot people have come to the stage of taking a significant decision about their future. They want Turkey to support them.''
(UK-MS) 03.04.2004