Denktas: If Annan Plan Is Signed In Its Current Shape, Turkish Cypriots Have 5-10 Years Of Time In Cyprus

LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Wednesday that if United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan was signed in its current shape, Turkish Cypriots would have 5-10 years of time in Cyprus.
Denktas, who received a delegation of Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), said that he was working on changes to be made in Annan's plan day and night despite his health problems.
They would see whether there could be a change or not within five or ten days, Denktas noted.
Denktas stated that he was defending equal sovereignty of TRNC. ''The EU issue was put forth when we were discussing Cyprus issue. Application was made and brought onto the agenda for EU membership in order to annihilate rights of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey,'' he said.
The real thing was to settle Cyprus issue, reach a solution depending on equal sovereignty which could not been demolished again by the Greek Cypriots and integrate with the EU, Denktas said.
Denktas pointed out that EU's assuring the Greek Cypriots that ''they were a member of the EU whether there was an agreement or not'' obstructed EU membership of a united Cyprus.
The EU did not invite Turkish Cypriots to Copenhagen Summit held on December 12, Denktas said and reminded that they invited Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides.
Denktas noted that he could not understand why some circles were saying that ''opportunity was missed on December 12.''
Noting that equality was diluted and Turkey's guarantee was rendered ineffective, President Denktas said, ''during yesterday's meeting, Clerides took a step further and said, '3 thousand soldiers can remain in the island. Number of soldiers can be reduced to 1 thousand 500 after a certain period. Later, all these soldiers should leave the island.' Now, I want to ask you: Do you accept it?''
When KTTO Chairman Ali Erel said that the issue should be resolved between Turkey and Greece, President Denktas said, ''what do you say? If Turkey and Greece do not accept it, should I sign it? Do you want it from me?''
Erel said, ''we propose you to negotiate.''
In response, President Denktas said, ''I went there to negotiate, and got the response. Now, I am asking you: Shall I sign it or not? Do I have the right to sign it? Do I have the right to destroy rights of Turkey and its 70 million people by signing it? Do you have such a right?''
Erel said that they disagree with the interpretation of Denktas and added ''You interpret Annan Plan differently.'' and Denktas replied him as ''If you interpret differently, you interpret wrong.''
When Erel called Denktas to discuss Annan Plan on television programs, Denktas said ''There is no need for television. You used to deceive people on television. You bring your jurist on equal conditions, he informs you, I talk this issue with the jurist.''
Noting that the plan contradicts with human rights, Denktas said that all the political aims of Clerides in accession to EU take place in the plan.
Denktas asked the delegation whether they accepted the map which was presented with plan. When Erel responded the question as ''People can respond such questions. Let's resort to a referendum.'', Denktas said ''People cannot respond. People should know these realities to resort to a referendum.''. Erel replied Denktas as ''They knew.'' and Denktas said that ''They know as how much you know. If you cannot agree with us in legal issues, this means that you act however you want to.''
Denktas stressed that during the meetings he would be in an effort to change the plan, and that he would not change the plan if he fails to change it. He said ''it is my right, I don't accept it. Determine a signatory, there is still time''.
Recalling that a law, that was issued in the TRNC in 1990 made it obligatory to resort to referendum before signature, Denktas said they could not resort to referendum before completion of negotiations.
Ali Erel in his part said they had suspicions that Denktas negotiated, stating that they wanted a referendum to take place now. Erel said Denktas accused them for taking money from the European Union (EU), upon this Denktas said there were tricks going on in the TRNC, and that very big amount of money was given in this respect.
Pointing out that Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis would visit TRNC on Monday, Denktas said Turkey wanted Cyprus problem to be solved, yet that it was not at a point that Annan plan should be signed immediately.
Denktas later received the U.N. Secretary General's Cyprus Special Envoy Alvaro De Soto.