Eroglu: I Hope U.N. Secretary General Will See The Facts On Cyprus

LEFKOSA - Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Wednesday that he hoped the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan would see the facts on Cyprus in his possible visit to Cyprus.
Recalling that he had made the same wish prior to Annan's visit to Cyprus last May, Eroglu said, ''however, the Secretary General put forward a document disregarding the existing facts on Cyprus.''
Eroglu, who addressed a program in TRT 2, pointed out that the plan, which was brought in a surprising way, had many sides that could not be accepted.
Pointing out that necessary betterment was not made in the plan, and that a third plan was mentioned now, Eroglu said this plan would probably be presented after the second tour of elections in the Greek Cypriot side. He said he did not think that this plan would satisfy them either.
Underlining that it was hard to reach a solution till February 28, Eroglu said Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides rejected every proposal that is brought by the Turkish Cypriot side to the negotiation table.
He said, ''it is not possible for a leader to accept proposals, which will be for your benefit, as he would have elections on Sunday.''
Eroglu said he had difficulty in understanding the reason of continuing the talks at a period when there was an election in Greek Cypriot side, adding that talks used to be interrupted when there was 1-2 months to the elections and continued after the elections. Eroglu said a person who is a candidate can not be expected to cover a policy giving concessions.
When asked if the U.N. Secretary General would visit to set a new target date, Eroglu said Annan plan was indexed to European Union, and that the issue whether or not Annan would set a new date would be discussed.
Eroglu said the principles which the Greek Cypriots defended for years were all included in Annan document.
Eroglu said the Greek Cypriot side did not recognize the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot side although the Turkish side was insistent on sovereignty. He said Turkey's vested interests could not be ignored on Cyprus.
Eroglu said it was revealed that Greek Cypriots did not see them as a new partner, but a community assembled in ''Cyprus Republic'', and stressed that views of the Greece and Greek Cypriot side are stated in the document with obscure expressions.
Eroglu underlined that any agreement disregarding history and geography could not be long lasting, noting that Annan plan could not be long lasting in case it was signed with its current position.