LEFKOSA, Feb 8 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday that they would not give up their basic rights to solve the Cyprus problem and the priorities have to be known well.
Addressing the graduation ceremony of Near East University, Denktas said that ''our priority is freedom, flag and our country. The priority is to further strengthen the links with the motherland. The priority is to sort out the problem in an honourable and correct way by a ceasefire agreement.''
''You should know the fact that there is an atmosphere outside which tests this state and our people. We must continue on our way and we won't give in,'' Denktas said.
Addressing the students in his speech, Denktas suggested them to live with problems and find solutions to these problems.
Noting that Turkish Cypriot students live in a free country, Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriot people didn't give in even in its most difficult days.
Denktas said that the difficulties will be solved, Denktas said that ''you can't get back the state and the flag if you lose them.''
A total of 182 students graduated from the university this year.
DENKTAS SAYS THEY WILL RECIPROCALLY PRESENT DOCUMENTS ON THURSDAY ON TERRITORY ISSUE
Denktas said that he and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides will reciprocally present documents on territory issue during the meeting on February 14.
Speaking after his 1.5 hour meeting with Clerides in the buffer zone, Denktas said they would reciprocally present documents on territory issue on February 14, noting that they started to discuss territory issue today.
Pointing out that it is normal to have some problems, Denktas said, ''point of view of the two sides about the issue is not similar. An assessment will be made, and we will see if we will be able to bring together those assessments. Today we discussed territory issue.''
When asked if a map was included in the document, Denktas said, ''we have not taken up yet the position of map, but I will not say I won't examine it if the Greek Cypriot side brings map suddenly.''
Denktas said they were trying to complete the first round before the break that would be given during the feast of sacrifice.
An interval will be given to the direct talks in February 18 and 19 due to the Feast of Sacrifice.
Alvaro De Soto, the U.S. Secretary General's Cyprus Special Envoy, will make use of the interval and leave for New York to present a report to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan about the talks.
DENKTAS SAYS POSITIONS OF SIDES ARE BEING DETERMINED MUTUALLY
Denktas said that pobitions of sides were being determined mutually in the first phase of the direct talks which aimed to find solution to Cyprus issue.
''The important one is the second phase during which approachable points will be determined,'' he said.
Denktas answered questions of reporters about the Cyprus talks.
When asked whether or not the issue of territory which was the agenda of today's talk, also covered refugees, Denktas said, ''it is useless to create a confusion. There is not refugee.''
When recalled of Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides's statement saying, ''refugees will return to their homes'', Denktas said, ''can there be any refugee left in the region after twenty-eight years? Everybody has settled in his place. We should defend and give them their land rights and property rights.''
Noting that it was normal to face some obstacles during the current phase of the talks, Denktas said that second phase of the talks was much more important.
Stating that they should be optimistic but also cautious about the talks, Denktas added that it was wrong to hold celebrations as if there was an agreement.