LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday that they had informed Turkey on their opinion about revision in Annan's plan, and they had the same position with Turkey towards the revision.
Noting that ''necessary compromise with the Greek Cypriot side had not been reached'', Denktas said that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan should not come to the island for ''signature''.
Speaking to reporters following TRNC Council of Ministers' extraordinary meeting which he had chaired, Denktas said the press made speculations about Annan's visit to the island. ''Especially news like 'there have been great revisions in favor of Turks' are tried to be spread. As we don't know whether Mr. Annan would bring them to the negotiation table or not, today we looked at the content of the revisions which were planned to be made and were presented to us yesterday. The desire for giving Karpaz to Greek Cypriot administration was given up, but all Greek Cypriots who lived in Karpaz but migrated to the south are given the right to return to Karpaz. The whole region is wanted to be populated with Greek Cypriots. They spread news as if they had taken Karpaz and they were now giving it to us. However, they did not take Karpaz. Karpaz is our sovereign territory,'' he said.
Denktas said under revisions in the plan, whole Guzelyurt region, Gemikonagi, Yedidalga and Yesilirmak were foreseen to be given to Greek Cypriots in return for ''Karpaz'', Denktas said they were again facing a zigzagged map, and he did not want to speak about other issues as they did not know what Annan would bring to the table.
Stressing that philosophical approach of Annan's plans was wrong, Denktas said plans were based on principle of existence of ''Republic of Cyprus'', and were content with giving some rights to Turkish Cypriots for their protection, so they were not satisfied and pleased with plans.
''If there are factors that Mr. Annan will put forward, let him do it; then, we will evaluate them in the parliament again,'' he said.
When asked whether or not Annan could cancel his visit to Cyprus according to the atmosphere in Ankara and Athens, Denktas said, ''if he was mistakenly told that 'there was a chance for signature on February 28; that is, if he was misled, he would come. If his intention is signature... Or else if his goal is to see the chemistry of the sides; how we can continue talks with a new Greek Cypriot leader; where we are and what the latest point is; he is most welcome. However, if he is going to come for signature, both sides have stated that there was not any preparation and compromise necessary for signature. Both sides still have differences as much as they had in the past.''
Underlining that Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides did not have the same opinion, Denktas said that Turkish side was trying to protect their freedom, sovereignty and soil against Greek Cypriots who were trying to possess the whole island with their pseudo ''Republic of Cyprus'' title. Denktas said that reaching an agreement would be difficult as long as the Greek Cypriots kept saying that ''they would enter the European Union and do whatever they want as the legal government and they were Cyprus and also our (Turkish Cypriots) government.''
Denktas said that they were in consensus with Turkey with respect to changes made in Annan plan, underlining that Greek Cypriots rejected all changes Turkish side had asked.
Noting that there was a new map that was put forward, Denktas said that the new map was worse than the previous one. Emphasizing that the approach of United Nations to Cyprus was wrong after the 1964 U.N. Security Council decision, Denktas said, ''as long as they do not correct this mistake, they can only try to patch us in Cyprus as a minority under protection. Or else, unfortunately, it does not seem possible for them to give our right in the way we deserve.''
PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES ANNAN
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary and Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin are also attending the meeting.
(MS-EÖ-AÖ) 24.02.2003