Serter: Annan Would Make A Historic Visit To Cyprus

LEFKOSA (A.A) - 13.05.2002 - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Parliament Speaker Vehbi Zeki Serter has defined U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's upcoming visit to Cyprus as ''historic'' and said he hoped that his visit would speed up efforts to bring a peaceful, permanent and fair political solution.
In a written statement, Serter said on Monday that the Turkish Cypriot side showed flexibility but the support given by the whole world to the Greek Cypriot side was encouraging them to act more stubborn and intransigent.
Serter stated that Annan's visit to Cyprus was a big opportunity to make the world hear their voices and explain the realities in Cyprus to the international community.
Referring to the U.N. Security Council's demanding more flexibility from the Turkish Cypriot side, Serter said ''April 29 proposals is an open proof of the Turkish Cypriot side's flexibility.'' ''But flexibility also has a limit. We can never give up political equality, the principle of two states, sovereignty and Turkey's guarantee over the TRNC. Because accepting these conditions mean the destruction of the Turkish Cypriot side.''
Serter also underlined that Turkish Cypriot people would never give up their rights because of economic reasons.
ANNAN EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN CYPRUS BETWEEN 3 AND 4 P.M. ON TUESDAY
United nations Secretary General Kofi Annan is expected to arrive at Larnaka's Airport in Cyprus between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
According to the information given by U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Spokesman Brian Kelly, Annan will make a brief statement to press after he arrives at Larnaka's Airport in the Greek Cypriot side.
Annan will start his contacts in the island by meeting with Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides early on Wednesday, May 15. Later, he will be received by President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) at 03:30 p.m.
Following his meeting with Denktas, Annan will host a dinner for Denktas and Clerides at his Deputy Special Envoy to Cyprus and UNFICYP Mission Chief Zbigniew Wlosowicz's residence near Lefkosa International Airport situated in the buffer zone at 07:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, it still not clear whether or not any statement would be made before or after the dinner.
Annan who will leave the island after wrapping up his contacts on Thursday, May 16 is expected to make a statement prior to his departure.