LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that good will mission of the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan would end in case he puts pressure on the sides during his visit to the island. Denktas said, ''I hope he can not do this. He knows what we want. Nobody can force me to sign anything.''
Denktas spoke to Bayrak Television.
Stating that the course showed that Annan would return from the island empty-handed, Denktas said, ''his prestige would be effected then. His good will mission may end in case he dares to put pressure on us not to make his prestige effected, and not to return empty-handed. We don't want this, nobody wants it.''
Denktas said Annan would have to think of visiting the island again following his visits to Ankara and Athens, stating that Annan could only listen to the views of the sides without putting pressure and could prepare a new document after returning to New York.
When asked if the Secretary General comes with a document and say, ''either you sign this document, or everything will end'' Denktas said, ''I think he is an experienced diplomat who will not say such a thing. I continuously say what we can accept, or can not accept. They can say everything to me because I do not sign an agreement that will sentence my people, and nobody can force me to sign anything.''
Denktas said they would not consider the details in case an agreement is brought including ''sine qua non'' conditions during the visit of the Secretary General, stressing that the map should absolutely be lifted, and that a new map could be prepared through talks.
When asked whether or not any pressure came from Turkey to sign Annan plan, Denktas said this was out of question, noting that there was not any difference of opinion with Ankara.
Pointing out that Greece and Greek Cypriot side created the Cyprus problem, not Turkey, Denktas said it would be injustice to say to Turkey, ''either you solve Cyprus, or you will not enter the EU.''
(AY-AÖ) 19.02.2003