Denktas: Clerides Was Not Encouraging About Change Of Plan In First Two Meetings

LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Saturday that Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides was not encouraging about a change in United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for Cyprus in their first two meetings.
Denktas told reporters that there were not any encouraging developments related with a change in the plan in the new talks process which started the previous week.
''I expect a milder mood from Clerides but there are people obstructing him. Our work will be easier if he has a milder mood,'' Denktas said.
Denktas drew the attention that elections in the Greek Cypriot administration had a negative effect on the process and they were face to face with two rival candidates in the elections.
''We have to be patient and protect our state. It is not the end of the road and we have to tolerate,'' Denktas said.
Denktas reiterated that he would not sign an agreement without any change in Annan's plan which met basic demands of Turkish side and said, ''if it is changed, we will sign and call for a referendum on March 30. But, if it doesn't change and if the pressure to 'sign it in its current shape' continues, we will call for a referendum. If it is accepted, parliament should choose a person and he/she should sign it.''
''Referendum on March 30 foreseen in Annan's plan is a date connected with the plan and the European Union (EU). That date is dependent on signing document on February 28. I am dealing with how much the plan can be changed. There are important changes I and parties want in political respect. I will sign the plan if changes are made and then, there will be a referendum on March 30. If there is not any change, I won't sign. Whether or not there will be a progress will be seen till February 16. If there is not any change, I will inform the parliament about the situation between February 16 and 28. I will say that I wont's sign but I won't obstruct the path of our people. Parliament should call for a referendum then. If the people say that the plan should not be signed, then it won't. If they say that it should be signed, then I won't be an obstacle and parliament should choose a person to sign it,'' Denktas said.
Denktas stated that if their people said no to the plan, then the EU would see that they had to reconsider the plan.
It would not be an end for EU membership if an agreement was not signed, Denktas noted.
Denktas stressed that EU authorities should establish direct contact with TRNC instead of non-governmental organizations and that it should equalize economic situation with assistance.
Asked if positive parts of the plan should be noted in a referendum, Denktas said, ''basic issues took their place in a way in the plan but they were emptied in another way. Around 28 percent Greek Cypriots will come to our lands and they will gain rights in elections. Where is the political equality? As we will not be represented by 28 percent among the Greek Cypriots, where is the bi-zonal structure? Where will I settle 50 thousand people and how will I explain this map to my people?''
Denktas added that property issue should be solved through ''global exchange.''
EROGLU: ''ANNAN PLAN AIMS TO TAKE FIRST TURKEY AND LATER TURKISH CYPRIOTS OUT OF CYPRUS''
Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Saturday that the plan presented by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to the sides on Cyprus targeted to take first Turkey and later Turkish Cypriots out of Cyprus.
Addressing a panel discussion entitled, ''Cyprus in National Criteria Filter'' held by Ankara Chamber of Commerce and Eurasia Strategic Researches Center, Eroglu said the plan was brought onto the agenda in the worst time for the TRNC and Turkey, stating that those who hoped that this plan would be accepted under current conditions, were mistaken.
Stating that Turkish Cypriots and the motherland paid the cost of democracy and freedom with their blood, Eroglu said the plan targeted to take Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots out of the island when its sovereignty, political equality and property sections are taken into consideration.
Eroglu said 55-60 thousand people were envisaged to change places within the scope of the plan, stating that such a table would create difficulties threating peace on the island. Eroglu said it was not possible for the agreements, which were prepared disregarding history and geography, to be lasting.
TRNC Prime Minister stated that changing places should be implemented by basing on willingness, and stated that people who live in specific region for 27 years, and who earn their livings there would not like to leave their territory.
Eroglu said the territories which are included in the Annan Plan and taken from the TRNC have vital importance with regard to agriculture, animal breeding and water sources, staing that people who are expected to leave those territories, would face unemployment even when houses are allocated for them in the North. Eroglu said changing places would have serious pychological and economic effects.
Stating that those who proposed the plan claimed that they attributed importance to peace on the island, Eroglu said it would be impossible for people to have positive feelings toward those who settle on the territories on which they lived. He said, ''seeds of enmity will be planted again''.
Eroglu said everybody on Cyprus found accession to the European Union (EU) appropriate after an agreement, noting that cost of this should not be demolition of a state and forcing people to migration.
Eroglu said he felt sorrow over the statement of Annan in which he said, ''the voices in rallies in the TRNC should be listened,'' stressing that those who organized the rallies and those who participated in the rallies were not at the same opinion.
Pointing out that signing an agreement which will not darken future was important, Eroglu said they were pleased to see support of Turkey. He said everybody on Cyprus wanted agreement and peace, yet that conditions of this should be put forward.
''I hope an agreement in direction with our wishes will be signed, and so that we can enter the EU. If not, TRNC will continue. It is not easy to establish a state. Giving up a state because of economic problems, after paying its cost, is not possible for those who founded the state,'' Eroglu stated.
Eroglu said both sides should approach the issue with good will to reach an agreement, noting that, ''I think any state, whose cost has been paid, can not demolish easily.''
ERDOGAN: ''I HOPE STEPS RELATED WITH FEBRUARY 28 PROCESS AND THE TALKS PROCESS IN NORTHERN CYPRUS WILL BE CONCLUDED POSITIVELY''
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that he hoped steps related with February 28 process and talks process in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would be concluded positively.
Erdogan held a meeting with TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu which lasted almost 50 minutes.
Following the meeting, Eroglu said that he had the opportunity to learn about views of Erdogan and that they evaluated talks process and Cyprus issue during their meeting.
Erdogan said that he thought that current problematic period would be overcome and wished success to TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Prime Minister Eroglu and other officials related with the Cyprus issue.