Denktas: We Will Not Be Offended If Turkish Government Recognizes Greek Cypriot Republic

LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Tuesday, ''we will not be offended if Turkish government, which recognizes TRNC, also recognizes a Greek Cypriot Republic that is neighbor of TRNC.''
Receiving a delegation, Denktas replied questions of reporters. When asked what Turkey's strategy should be regarding the recognition of Greek Cypriot side, Denktas said, ''we will not be offended if Turkish government, which recognizes TRNC, also recognizes a Greek Cypriot Republic that is neighbor of TRNC. But what is Turkey recognizing? This means it recognizes a Cyprus Republic which has an authority up to our borders.''
Denktas said, in that case, TRNC will not have any loss as Turkey also continues to recognize the TRNC. He said that Greek Cypriots then should think on it if Turkey was to recognize a Greek Cypriot Republic behind TRNC borders, adding that the issue was very complicated and it was including many legal and political problems.
(GC-AÖ) 11.05.2004