Denktas: Calls On Eu To Establish Direct Contacts

LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said, ''as referendums were held in the two sides in Cyprus, presence of two nations in the island was accepted. The European Union (EU) should establish direct contacts with us.''
Replying to questions of journalists, President Denktas said on Tuesday, ''the EU should understand now that the Greek Cypriot side does not represent us and that there are two separate nations on the island. In that case, the EU can put an end to 40-year unfair treatment against us.''
President Denktas said that results of Saturday's referendums had granted them the right to ask recognition of their equality by the world.
''Both the EU and the United States pledged to open the Ercan Airport to the world and to facilitate commercial relations if Turkish Cypriots voted 'yes' in the referendum. Now, we expect them to keep their promises. The Greek Cypriot side revealed that it did not want a new partnership under equal conditions of the Turkish Cypriot side,'' he said.
Recalling that TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat had been holding meetings at the EU, President Denktas said that Turkey had announced earlier that it was ready to launch initiatives to assist TRNC in the new period.
(UK-AY) 27.04.2004