Denktas: All Paths Will Be Opened When Our Sovereignty Is Accepted

LEFKOSA (A.A) - 19.05.2002 - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Saturday that path of peace would be opened when the sovereignty of Turkish Cypriots was accepted.
Speaking in a ceremony, Denktas stressed that Turkish Cypriots would not give up their sovereignty.
Denktas said, ''we are still on our feet as a state. We are existing with our army. We do not want any badness together with Turkey, our motherland and guarantor. We want peace and friendship. But, a peace depending on sovereignty.''
''What should be done is friendship, peace and compromise. What should be done is to come and shake our friendly hands by understanding that they cannot usurp the rights of Turkish Cypriots which have been wanted to be usurped for 39 years,'' Denktas noted.
Calling the Greek Cypriots for a common state, Denktas underlined that the path of peace would be opened when the sovereignty of Turkish Cypriots was accepted.
TRNC Security Forces Commander Galip Mendi said that European Union (EU) and all countries should respect to the right of the self-administration of two peoples on the island.
Mendi added that the existence of two sovereign states should be accepted.