Denktas: We Haven't Reached Position Of Signing A Document

LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that they were in favor of continuation of Cyprus talks and that they had not reached the position of signing a document.
Speaking to the NTV channel, Denktas said that they wanted to hold a contact with the Greek Cypriots after submission of the new U.N. plan.
''By coming together with the Greek Cypriots, let's talk and negotiate which part of this plan they accepted and will accept and let's change the parts we can change and let's say we failed to reach an agreement if we can't change. Before such a contact, they say from the darkness, 'come to Copenhagen and solve them if you have disagreements here through Alvaro De Soto and sign this document.' However, we have not reached the position of signing a document. We want continuation of talks process. While this is being done, Greek Cypriots should not be granted more strength and we focus on the necessity that the equality should not destroyed more,'' he said.
Noting that TRNC Foreign and Defense Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu would go to Copenhagen to convey those messages and that they would be in continuous touch with him, Denktas said that Ertugruloglu would ask for time for continuations of talks.
When asked what his message would be to the EU leaders who would come together in Copenhagen, Denktas said that they wanted the EU officials to behave fairly towards Turkish Cypriots and hear their voice.
''We want them to know that they destroyed the chance of reaching compromise by saying, 'we took a decision and we will do it'. They want compromise, they want Cyprus. For membership of Cyprus as a whole, also Turkish Cypriots, that is, the TRNC should be taken into consideration,'' he said.
Stressing that they did not escape from negotiation and that they had expressed their sorrow that they couldn't find time for negotiation comfortably, Denktas said that they wanted time for negotiation and they wanted to continue talks with the Greek Cypriots.
Noting that negotiation did not mean acceptance of the plan, Denktas said, ''we absolutely can't accept the map, these should be taken up. Many issues have to be discussed. If Europe wants unification of Cyprus through compromise, it has to offer this opportunity to both sides. And while doing this, it should not increase the status of one of these sides against the other.''
Stressing that a EU without Turkey posed a threat for Turkish Cypriots, Denktas said that Turkey should be expected to join the EU for implementation of a possible agreement.
''It is up to them to say, 'no, we accept Greek Cypriots'. Then they separately hold accession negotiations with us, lift embargoes and send necessary economic aid to us and they bring our economic situation to same level as Greek Cypriot side, allowing us to get prepared until Turkey's membership. They have to treat us equally,'' Denktas said.
Noting that the EU wanted whole Cyprus, Denktas said, ''if they only accept Greek Cypriots' membership due to the mistake they made out of necessity, they will be in need of us.''
Stressing that they would not lose their bargaining power if Greek Cypriots joined the EU alone, Denktas said that Europe had to make bargaining and hold contacts with Turkish Cypriots as it wanted whole Cyprus.