LEFKOSA (A.A) - 20.07.2002 - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Saturday that Turkish Cypriots who were under Turkey's guarantee were advancing and recording progress in confidence, adding, ''the Turkish Cypriot nation have been reunited with peace and prosperity under the umbrella of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that has become the symbol of peace and stability in its region.''
Sending a message to TRNC President Rauf Denktas through his secretary general Kemal Nehrozoglu to mark the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day, President Sezer congratulated this meaningful day of the Turkish Cypriots.
In his congratulatory message, Sezer said that this happy day also showed the Turkish Cypriots's determination in protection of their freedom, independence and rights.
''Acceptance of the Turkish Cypriots's equal status and sovereign existence enables reaching a fair and lasting compromise on the island. With this respect, taking the Turkish Cypriot nation's safety, security and sovereignty under guarantee and protection of Turkish-Greek balance over the island and Turkey's and the TRNC's rights and strategic interests stemming from agreements are essential. Turkey will continue stand by Turkish Cypriots in their rightful case,'' the President stressed.
Noting that Turkey and the TRNC were always in favor of peace, Sezer said that he believed that the direct talks which started upon Denktas's initiative would help efforts to find a fair and lasting solution.
DENKTAS: IF TURKEY HAD NOT COME TO THEIR ASSISTANCE, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN BURIED IN MASS GRAVES
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said, ''if Turkey had not come to our help on July 20, 1974, we would have buried in mass graves like the ones in Murataga, Atlilar and Sandallar.''
A ceremony was held in front of the mausoleum of Dr. Fazil Kucuk, the leader of Turkish Cypriots' fight for freedom, to mark the 28th anniversary of the Peace Operation on July 20, 1974.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Denktas emphasized, ''Dr. Kucuk had expended great efforts to further strengthen ties with Turkey and to save Turkish Cypriots from desire of Greek Cypriot side to annex Cyprus to Greece.''
Stressing that they had been defending Turkish Cypriots's state and equality from the very beginning, Denktas said Greek Cypriots wanted to claim territory from the TRNC and to make the Turkish Cypriot a minority on the island under the title of settlement of peace.
Quoting Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as saying, ''a right that is not based on sovereignty, is not a right,'' President Denktas said, ''we want to reach an agreement with the Greek Cypriot side on the basis of sovereignty. I want both opposition and ruling parties to defend our sovereignty.''
''We will enter the European Union together with Turkey after our sovereignty is recognized. Our people should not be tricked on the issue of the EU. Greek Cypriot side's application to the EU is totally political. They aim at destroying rights of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots over Cyprus,'' he added.
GUREL: TURKEY WILL NEVER ALLOW RETURN TO DARK DAYS BEFORE JULY 20, 1974 ON CYPRUS
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sukru Sina Gurel said on Saturday, ''Turkey will never allow return to the dark days before July 20, 1974 on Cyprus.''
''Those who expect Turkey to make concessions from its rights and interests in the region and on Cyprus, are making a serious mistake. It is neither Turkey nor the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that obstructs the solution process.. The relevant sides should assess well the real goal of the Greek Cypriot side and their armament.''
During the ceremony, Presidential Secretary General Kemal Nehrozoglu read out President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's message.
Meanwhile, President Rauf Denktas of the TRNC, gave a message to Nehrozoglu to be conveyed to President Sezer.
Speaking at the ceremony, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Gurel said, ''July 20 Peace Operation have brought forth peace and stability to the region. We consider July 20 an effort to protect Turkish Cypriots' right to sovereignty and their equal status in line with their desire for peace and stability. We believe that we have also contributed to peace in the region.''
''This peace operation was resurrection of a nation. This operation revealed that a nation could risk everything when its rights were violated, and its sovereignty and freedom were under threat,'' he said.
Gurel stressed, ''today, Turkish Cypriots want peace, and a fair and sustainable solution. However, this does not mean that they will make concessions from their rights.''
''The real target of the Greek Cypriot side is clear. Their purchasing attack helicopter is a clear sign of their intention. Such negative attitudes have constituted a serious obstacle for efforts to form an atmosphere of security on the island. Everyone should assess Greek Cypriot side's armament in a period when direct talks have been continuing as a result of President Denktas' productive attitude. Solution of the Cyprus question depends on dialogu, equality and recognition of facts. The relevant sides should well-assess the real goal of the Greek Cypriot side and their armament,'' he said.
Stressing that Turkey would never allow return to dark days before July 20, 1974 on Cyprus, Gurel said, ''Turkish Cypriots will never be exiled again from their houses and land with force of arms or political games. This country, these cities and villages you live in and these territories are yours and your children's. Any pressure cannot change this reality.''
Noting that it was everybody's duty to develop and beautify the TRNC and make it an admirable country despite the embargoes that had never been imposed on a country in the world, Gurel said that Turkish governments's unchangeable priority was and would be the development of the Turkish Cypriots in peace.
Stressing that the TRNC was a factor of peace and stability in its region, Gurel said that nobody had the right to destroy peace and tranquility in the region, adding, ''those who expect Turkey to make concessions from its national interests and its legal rights on Cyprus are mistaken. It is neither Turkey nor the TRNC that obstructs the solution process. Progress cannot be recorded with artificial solution methods and artificial schedules. The solution depends on recognition of the Turkish Cypriots' equal status and equal sovereignty.''
Noting that it was impossible to reach any point through efforts which did not give place to the TRNC's existence and its equal sovereignty, Turkey's effective and de facto guarantee and continuation of its special relations with the TRNC and protection of the Turkish-Greek balance, Gurel said that there was not any connection between Turkey's European Union (EU) candidacy process and efforts for solution on Cyprus. ''However, the two issues which are connected to each other very tightly are Turkey's and Cyprus's EU membership.''
Stressing that the TRNC was a reality with its political organs and modern education institutions, Gurel said that a lasting and fair solution depended on acceptance of realities on the island and sovereign equality of the two states on the island by all relevant sides.
Noting that opposite attitudes might cause new problems on Cyprus, Gurel said that they considered TRNC President Rauf Denktas's opinions he put forward during the talks process meaningful and they supported those opinions.
DENKTAS SENDS MESSAGES TO PRESIDENT SEZER AND GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) sent messages to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the chief of General Staff, on the occasion of July 20 Peace and Freedom Day.
In his message to President Sezer, President Denktas said, ''despite pressure and difficulties imposed on the Turkish Cypriots by the Grek Cypriot side and Greece, we resisted with patience, determination and confidence, and acquired our freedom as a result of Turkish Armed Forces' capabilities on July 20, 1974.''
''Our people are aware of Turkey's increasing assistance and contributions to help the TRNC develop its economy. We reiterate our oath to improve the TRNC in every field in line with principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,'' he said.
In his message to Kivrikoglu, President Denktas expressed his gratitude to Turkish state and nation on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots.
YILMAZ: TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE GUARANTEE OF PEACE AND STABILITY ON CYPRUS
State Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz said, ''Turkey will continue to be guarantee of peace and stability on Cyprus. We cannot accept any solution that will jeopardize Turkish Cypriots' existence and future.''
Releasing a message to mark the 28th anniversary of the Peace Operation on Cyprus on July 20, 1974, Yilmaz said, ''the operation was launched with the aim of putting an end to pressure, atrocity and inhuman acts against the Turkish Cypriots.''
''This operation was an important step taken by Turkey for independence, peace and well-being of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey will continue to be guarantee of peace and stability on Cyprus,'' he said.
''Destinies of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkey have united with each other. I believe that Turkey's accumulations in the European Union (EU) full membership process will prodive new opportunities for the Turkish Cypriots. I want to stress once again that we cannot accept any solution that will jeopardize Turkish Cypriots' existence and future,'' he said.
Yilmaz added, ''the Peace Operation is one of the most important signs of the fact that Turkey could make all kinds of self-sacrifice, and expend all efforts for independence and freedom of the Turkish Cypriots.''