Denktas: There Are Confessions, But No Apologies And Reparations

LEFKOSA - President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas has indicated that the Greek Cypriots do confess their (EOKA) tyranny over Turkish Cypriots. ''Yet the Greek Cypriots do not make any apologies and are reluctant to pay reparations.''
Denktas paid a farewell visit to Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Command. General Hasan Memisoglu welcomed Denktas to the center.
Denktas signed the VIP guestbook and took a tour of the museum showing atrocities of the Greek Cypriots against Turkish Cypriots. While looking at the pictures of Turks massacred by the Greek Cypriots, Denktas remarked that the EOKA actually intended to exterminate all Turks in Cyprus.
''My grandfather told me that it was unfortunate to see the removal of the Turkish flag and the rising of the British flag in Cyprus. They (British) have left but will come back again. We would not see those days but you will,'' expressed Denktas.
Denktas indicated that a solution in Cyprus did not take place for the past 40 years due to the stance of certain circles which look at the Greek Cypriot administration as the sole representative of Cyprus.
''Finding a lasting solution in Cyprus is now very difficult, if not impossible. The reality in Cyprus is that there are two communities--Turkish and Greek. The peace operation of 1974 must be taken into consideration as a factor that made peace possible in Cyprus.''
Denktas added that the European Union's decision to let in the Greek Cypriot administration as the only representative of Cyprus made things worse. ''There is now no possible avenue for establishing peace between the two communities. Turkey's position as guarantor state must continue in Cyprus to make peace possible.''
According to Denktas, the lifting of economic embargoes by the EU and US will help the situation in Cyprus. ''Once European and American businessmen arrive in the TRNC, the Greek Cypriots will understand that they are not the single owners of Cyprus.''