LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas has said that it was possible to bring a solution to the Cyprus conflict based on equal sovereignty. ''We have time ahead of us to do this,'' he said.
Denktas briefed reporters on Thursday about his recent meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel and State Minister in charge of Cyprus Tayyibe Gulek.
''Turkey's principles are known by everyone,'' he said. ''We want to solve this issue. The equal sovereignty of the Cyprus Turks is Turkey's main condition. We cannot admit Greek Cypriots among us. We're very sensitive over this issue. It's easier to solve the Cyprus issue by considering the facts on the island. We are ready to solve the matter on the condition of equal sovereignty. There's still time to achieve this.''
Addressing to Turkish Cypriots, Denktas said ''Problems are temporary, but if we give up our state and our sovereignty, we'll be destroyed. We should be aware of this and we should recognize the plots trying to separate us from Turkey.''