ISTANBUL - It is not possible for Turkish officials to direct simultaneous referenda to be held in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot side on April 24, Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Tuesday.
Arinc participated in the Chairmanship Council Meeting of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) held in Istanbul.
Parliament Speaker Arinc said that Cyprus issue should be solved by the decision to be taken by two peoples in the island.
Asked if progress could be recorded in settlement of Cyprus issue under United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan and if Cyprus could be a bridge of peace instead of a division, Arinc said that Cyprus issue should be solved for Turkey, Greece, European Union (EU) and the world.
Arinc noted that Turkish government had launched a great initiative to settle Cyprus issue.
Turkey wanted to solve problems through diplomacy and peace instead of row, Arinc stated.
Arinc said, ''Turkish government wished that a process should be launched within the framework of good will mission of Annan, and launched initiatives to this end. All steps of the road map have been completed apart from the simultaneous referenda. Now, two sides on the island will hold synchronous referenda on April 24. If Turkish Cypriot people votes 'yes' to the plan, it will be the parliament's turn whether or not to approve the possible agreement. Decision of peoples in Cyprus may affect decision of our deputies.''
Commenting on Annan plan, Arinc said, ''the plan is not hundred percent successful, appropriate and doesn't fully satisfy both sides in the island.''
Arinc pointed out that the plan tried to balance objections and demands of the two sides in the island.
Some circles, including TRNC President Rauf Denktas, had objections to the plan, Arinc noted.
Arinc said, ''as a person who have read and studied the plan, I have to say that I am not satisfied with some aspects.''
Solution of some problems were delayed to a later date, Arinc stated.
Arinc added, ''it is not possible for us to direct from Turkey simultaneous referenda to be held in Cyprus. But, I am sincerely saying that this problem should be solved with the decision of the peoples living on the island. But, United Cyprus Republic should join the EU on May 1, 2004. Otherwise, this problem will emerge within the EU in time.''
Delegations from TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece held Cyprus negotiations in Buergenstock, Switzerland from March 24 to 31 in order to find a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus issue till May 1 on the basis of Annan plan.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis also joined the negotiations as of March 29.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan presented his final plan to the parties on March 21.
The final plan will be put to separate simultaneous referenda in Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides in the island on April 24.
(BRC-AY) 06.04.2004