LEFKOSA - Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said, "reaching an agreement is not enough alone for withdrawal of (Turkish) soldiers from Cyprus. We should follow the process. We should see how safe Turkish Cypriots are. We should believe that they are safe."
Gen. Buyukanit, who held a press conference at Ercan Airport prior to his departure from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Saturday, said talking is always beneficial while commenting on the meeting between TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias.
Noting that the duty of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in Cyprus is to provide the safety of Turkish Cypriot people, Gen. Buyukanit said that TSK has been successfully fulfilling this mission since 1974. He added that TSK will continue to fulfill its duty until a permanent and fair peace is settled in the island.
Gen. Buyukanit stressed that 1974 was a date when injustice over Turkish Cypriot society was ended, not the beginning of Cyprus question.
Recalling that Lokmaci zone was examined on Friday and TSK is responsible from borders in line with the article 10th of TRNC constitution, Gen. Buyukanit said that a few hundred meters back of Lokmaci, there is Ledra Palace gate and Turkish and Greek Cypriots are passing there.
"Opening of Lokmaci gate is not a big step towards fair and permanent peace; it is a gate. There are lots of gates in Cyprus. Lokmaci gate will be one of them," said Gen. Buyukanit adding that there will not be any arrangements which will harm sovereignty of TRNC.
(GC)