LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas expressed late on Saturday hope that what he feared would not happen in Cyprus.
Denktas, who returned from Turkey to TRNC, told reporters that his people would decide on their future in the simultaneous referenda to be held in the island on April 24.
''After the votes are cast, nobody should start accusing the other because they will make their decision on their own. One has to take what comes. I hope what I fear won't happen,'' Denktas said.
Denktas noted that the Greek Cypriots were trying to gain more.
The view of Greek Cypriot communist AKEL party on ''postponement of the simultaneous referenda in the island for a few more months'' and its decision ''to cast negative vote to the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for Cyprus in the referenda in case the referendum was not delayed'' should be taken seriously, Denktas stated.
Denktas said, ''Britain has launched a propaganda in the Greek Cypriot side, saying, 'there are 12 reasons for you to accept this plan.' The Greek Cypriot newspapers are writing that Greek Cypriots have gained everything they want. This means that AKEL has not been satisfied yet and it wants more. It wants the referenda to be delayed since it can gain more. Let's wait and see the result. They are trying to gain more. And, this should be taken into consideration.''
Noting that his meetings in Istanbul were fruitful, Denktas said that he focused on Annan plan during his meetings.
Denktas said that there was a serious movement in Turkey that 'Cyprus should not be lost, there is a dangerous situation in Cyprus and Annan plan can't be accepted.'
''I met with people from every circle and level and everybody thinks so,'' Denktas said.
Denktas added, ''I think we should take action. We should explain our people why this Annan plan can't be accepted. Our people will decide and vote on the plan. But, I say that after the votes are cast, nobody should start accusing the other because they will make their decision on their own. One has to take what comes. I hope what I fear won't happen.''
Delegations from TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece held Cyprus negotiations in Buergenstock, Switzerland from March 24 to 31 in order to contribute to a settlement in the island.
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) 11.04.2004