LEFKOSA - TRNC President Rauf Denktas said on Monday that they gave an important test against Annan plan during the Cyprus talks in The Hague, adding ''we are not left in the lurch.''
''We eliminated the game that was wanted to be played against us during this test, the Greek Cypriot side also helped us because they were not ready to accept this plan either,'' said Denktas.
Noting that initiatives about the Cyprus issue would continue, Denktas underlined the fact that the Turkish side had to put forward its request firmly for recognition of its sovereignty and state in the new process.
Denktas who headed the TRNC Council of Ministers which convened in an extraordinary session to discuss the developments about Cyprus, stated before the meeting that ''we will talk about the things which the cabinet knows about The Hague meetings and which it does not. We will discuss the measures which will bring prosperity to our people.'' Denktas stressed that despite the statements of all institutions which said that Annan plan was not acceptable, certain persons continued to deceive the people saying that ''a great opportunity was missed.'' Denktas criticized these persons, noting ''they said we missed a great opportunity although the plan would make Turkish Cypriots give territory from Guzelyurt to Yesilýrmak, make 50,000-60,000 persons migrant in three years, end Turkey's guaranty, and give Greek Cypriots the right to property as an individual right and come to TRNC for their properties.''
Denktas stressed that a great lobby was launching efforts in TRNC to deceive the people and to make them follow the Greek Cypriots for EU membership, adding that ''Turkey noted that Annan plan was not acceptable. We know that some money was given to certain institutions. But these persons will be sorry in the end.'' Denktas said that peace had to be installed within the country and that the people should not be provoked.
Denktas said, ''we have overcome a stage. This was a very big examination, and we have overturned the trick which they wanted to play. Naturally, the Greek Cypriot side helped us because they were not ready to accept the plan. They think they would enter the EU whether or not they accept the plan. Our resistance is to say 'no' and act with Turkey against their views. They think they would be able to get Cyprus by saying 'we got Cyprus'. It is the duty of the Turkish Cypriots not to bow against this. This is the debt of all of us.''
When asked whether or not they expect another initiative from now on, and what would happen after this, Denktas said initiatives would not end, stating that, ''however, if any initiative will take place from now on, we should determine well our conditions, and have talks in case those conditions are accepted.''
Denktas said they should not lose time with plans which would be put forward by others, stating that, ''there is no meaning in losing time on the table. However, the initiatives will continue. We should clearly put forward our wishes and plans against those initiatives. It is the sovereignty and our state. There can not be partnership before those are accepted. This atmosphere can not be formed as long as the other side calls you as minority and considers itself as your government.''
Speaking after the Council of Ministers meeting which lasted for nearly 1.5 hours, Denktas said members of the Council of Ministers gave him information about the studies that would be made about economic program.
(ÖS-AY-AÖ) 17.03.2003