Denktas: We Are Ready To Send Papadopoulos The Proposal For Changes

LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Saturday that they were ready to send the proposals for changes regarded with the Annan plan to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos. Denktas said, ''he can send theirs to us. May be a way out can be found if we can agree.''
Expressing belief that a way out could be found, Denktas recalled that however Greek Cypriot side said ''no'' to face to face talks, and that he did not know why the Greek Cypriot side was afraid of face to face talks.
Denktas stated that he believed that the question could be solved through face to face talks, noting, ''because the Greek Cypriot side tried to reach somewhere by hiding behind some others so far. We had focused on artificial proposals and with the help and support of some others, and we could not reach anywhere.''
Denktas made a statement to press briefing about his contacts. He said Cyprus talks in The Hague were cut because of impossible demands of the Greek Cypriot side, and noted that they nevertheless in a written way put forward that they want to continue the talks till March 28, and holding referendum in case an agreement can be reached. ''This was not accepted,'' Denktas said.
Denktas said rather than U.N. Secretary General, Britain's Cyprus Special Envoy Lord David Hannay put an end saying, ''this will end here''.
Noting that the problem was simple, and that whether or not the two partners could set a new partnership would be searched, Denktas said, ''we should get ready to make TRNC better in case a new partnership can not be established.''
Denktas said before going to The Hague, they had stated that many parts of Annan plan had to change, adding that, ''for a compromise, it had to be accepted that partnership on Cyprus was demolished for enosis, and that Turkish Cypriot people had to form their own state after being left without a state.'' Denktas said new partnership should take place on those facts.
Denktas said they always preserved this view, but that Annan plan turned his views upside down.
Denktas said rights of Turkey should be preserved to protect the rights of Turkish Cypriots. He said the paragraphs pertaining to military vehicles, aimed at providing sending Turkish tanks outside the island.
Denktas said Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos also favored change, but that he played a trick and said he could accept the plan as it is in case requests for changes are given up.
(AY-BRC) 15.03.2003