LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Saturday, ''the plan, which was presented by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, will take back the rights granted to the Turkish Cypriot people by 1960 agreements. The plan turns a blind eye to the injustice against the Turkish Cypriot people, who were forced to leave their productive fields in Southern Cyprus and to migrate to the North. This plan will destroy us.''
President Denktas received relatives of martyrs from Atlilar, Murataga and Sandallar villages.
Speaking at the meeting, President Denktas said, ''the plan looks at the island from the eyes of the Greek Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriot side did not accept all the changes we wanted in the plan. Greek Cypriots think that the Cyprus question will come to an end when they become a member of the European Union (EU). In fact, the Cyprus question will continue.''
''Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots can come together only through recognition of mutual rights and sovereignty. As you know, United Nations Secretary General Annan will pay a visit to Cyprus on February 26. I will explain our views to him once again. We want a peace on the basis of sovereignty,'' he said.
President Denktas added, ''there are two equal and sovereign communities in the island. We should protect our state. Those, who are ready to give up their state, will become minority and colony in the future. We have founded our state and will not give up our state.''
DENKTAS: IT IS DIFFICULT TO GUESS THE WINNER OF THE ELECTIONS IN GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE
Responding questions of journalists, President Denktas said, ''I cannot make any statement at this point. First, we should get results of the election in the Greek Cypriot side.''
''It is difficult to guess the winner of Sunday's presidential election in the Greek Cypriot side. This election is held in a separate state. Therefore, we should not make any statement,'' he added.