LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday, ''we will give response as possible but first I have to consult with Turkey'' regarding U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's request for a referendum on March 30 even if there won't be an agreement.
While leaving the TRNC Presidential Palace for the U.N. compound in U.N.-controlled buffer zone in Lefkosa to attend meeting with Annan and new Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, Denktas answered questions of reporters.
When asked what his response to the Secretary General would be about the issue of referendum, Denktas said, ''I have to consult also Turkey about the issue. We will give our response in the shortest time.''
During yesterday's meeting, Annan requested the two leaders to make commitment to send the plan to referendum on March 30 and asked them to give their response verbally today.
After determination of the sides' positions, the Secretary General invited the two leaders to The Hague on March 10 to sign commitment to referendum for a comprehensive settlement.
(MS-BRC) 28.02.2003