ANKARA - Dooming Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprs (TRNC) to insolubility would be a step which could not be explained in history, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.
Speaking in the group meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Erdogan said, ``we won`t be deterred by blusters of marginal circles who try to show efforts for a solution as a `give and get rid of` effort with a rude and imprudent approach, lacking good will.``
Erdogan said that there were many circles who were negatively approaching Cyprus issue despite Turkey`s steps aiming at a settlement of the issue.
Noting that there were some deficiencies in the plan, Erdogan said, ``has anybody seen that everything is 100 percent settled in international negotiations? When you look at the history, you will see how important this agreement is.``
Erdogan stated that Cyprus issue should be solved and therefore, Turkey had taken steps seriously and carefully.
``I think that our kinsmen in TRNC will share our good will. We will respect to the result of the referendum to be held in TRNC. Our sine qua nons and priorities have been reflected in the final Annan plan,`` Erdogan said.
Erdogan went on saying, ``we want to conclude this issue but this solution should be for the benefit of the two sides. Therefore, we have continued our efforts on the basis of win-win principle. We have never condoned dilution of our national policy and national cause. It is not possible to make dilution of our national policy and national cause a matter of discussion.``
``As the government, we have stated that we are ready to fulfil our responsibilities under this agreement within the framework of good will mission of the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. I would like to once more state that we will respect to the will of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot peoples and the decision to be taken by Turkish parliament,`` Erdogan said.
Wishing that positive and constructive atmosphere in relations with Greece would help settlement of fair and lasting peace in the island, Erdogan expected that the other side would exert good-willed and constructive efforts as Turkish side.
Erdogan stressed that it was obligatory for two sides to reach a compromise in order to ensure peace and stability in the East Mediterranean and said, ``we are still optimistic that a solution which will be in favor of all parties.``
Turkey would continue to take action in consultation with TRNC, Erdogan said.
Erdogan stressed that Turkey would search for a peaceful and fair solution in favor of all parties not for a solution, whatever the consequences were.
Responding to criticisms that the Annan plan comprised of 9 thousand pages could not be explained to Turkish Cypriots till the simultaneous referenda to be held on April 24, Erdogan said, ``we shouldn`t deceive ourselves. This is not an issue having a one-day, one-month or one-year past. This is a 30-year process. Why haven`t you spoken for 30 years and taken necessary steps? Neither Turkish nor TRNC people can`t lose time.``
Calling on everybody to be sensitive about Cyprus issue, Erdogan asked people to refrain from making speculations.
Erdogan wished that the Cyprus process would yield beneficial result.
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 31.
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