Denktas Expresses Concerns Over Annan Plan During His Meetings

ANKARA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said late on Tuesday that he expressed his concerns over United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan and hesitations and fears of Turkish Cypriot people during his meetings in Ankara.
Denktas, who appeared on a private television channel, said that he came to Ankara to receive information about recent developments in Cyprus issue following the National Security Council (NSC) meeting before he returned from Istanbul to TRNC.
He discussed situation and developments in Cyprus in his meetings, Denktas noted.
Denktas said, ''I expressed our concerns and explained Cyprus issue, why my people have hesitations and are feared and why we won't cast an affirmative vote to the plan in the referendum. And, I also explained why we think casting an affirmative vote the plan is dangerous.''
Noting that agreements were made in order to eliminate reasons of rows, Denktas said that however, Annan plan did not eliminate reasons of Cyprus issue despite changes made to it so far.
Denktas stated that sine qua nons of Turkish side were not included in the plan and he expressed this view during his meetings.
Turkish officials listened to him with good will, Denktas said.
Denktas noted that Turkish government was in an effort to settle Cyprus issue as soon as possible with good will.
He would have a lunch with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer before he returned to Lefkosa, Denktas said.
Denktas stated that he had not been asked to deliver a speech at Turkish parliament and said, ''if I receive such an invitation, it is my duty to make this speech. And, I think it will be beneficial for Cyprus issue.''
Upon a question on commitment Turkey was expected to be made to the U.N. as the guarantor power, Denktas said that this was an issue that Turkey should solve by itself.
Denktas said, ''we can't tell Turkish government to do this and not to do that. But, it is our duty to say that there will not be any Turks in Cyprus in the following five or ten years if this plan is accepted in its current shape.''
Asked about his expectations from Turkey in simultaneous referenda process in the island, Denktas said, ''Turkish authorities are making their own evaluations. But, they won't involved in the referendum actively. I have seen that Turkey doesn't have such an intention. This will please us and our people.''
Denktas stated that Turkish Cypriots would determine their fate on April 24 and said, ''we hope our people will calmly make their decision, thinking of their past and taking into consideration deficiencies in the plan.''
Turkish Cypriot people should not sacrifice permanent interests for temporary interests, Denktas noted.
Denktas said that he was ''realistic not negative'' when approaching the process and stated that they would not give up their sovereignty for peace.
He knew the history well and therefore, he had concerns and he was feared, Denktas said.
Denktas pointed out that TRNC was face to face with a fait accompli due to Annan plan.
Stating that the plan might turn Turkish Cypriot side into a minority in the island in time, Denktas said that a disagreement was put to referendum in the island.
Denktas said, ''making the plan a part of European Union (EU) primary law will give Turkish Cypriots a guarantee.''
He did not think that a formula could be found for making the plan a part of EU primary law till the simultaneous referenda to be held in the island on April 24, Denktas pointed out.
Denktas said that a forced peace would lay the groundwork for new rows and noted, ''time-bombs have been placed in the island related with property issue.''
They did not know about contents of the agreements in the plan, Denktas stated.
Denktas noted that there were many aspects to be studied in the plan and they needed more time.
Stating that a state was not founded under the plan but their state was turned into province, Denktas said that the current shape of the plan was unacceptable and it would be very difficult to make a turn from a mistake.
Denktas recalled that one of the guarantees Turkish side wanted was continuation of presence of Turkish soldiers in the island.
Turkish soldiers would not have any function in the island apart from formalities, Denktas said.
Denktas added that he did not want to even image their fate in case Turkish soldiers left the island.
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) 07.04.2004