GREEK CYPRIOTS’ EXPANSIONIST AIMS CONTINUE TO TAKE OVER THE WHOLE OF CYPRUS

Speaking on his return to Gecitkale Airport from Turkey on April 16, TRNC President Rauf Denktas said the European Union has added a new mistake to those it made in the past by accepting the Greek Cypriot South Cyprus as a new member as if it is the "Cyprus State".

Stressing that if we had followed the Greek Cypriots and entered into the EU within the framework of the Annan plan, we would have entered not as a sovereign state but as individuals within the state, President Denktas said: "I think everyone can understand what this means."

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriots’ are still continuing with their struggle to take over the whole of Cyprus, President Denktas said between 1963-74 what the Greek Cypriots could not reach by force of arms, with the embargoes imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots from 1963 up until today, and by misleading the world and presenting the Turkish Cypriots as a "minority", they are now trying to achieve through EU membership. He added: "While their efforts are continuing in this direction, our struggle will continue not to fall prey to this game and to protect our state."

Stressing that the game is being played to try and eliminate Turkey’s vested rights under the 1960 international agreements with his signature, President Denktas said this ploy did not work and added: "We did not, cannot, and will not do this."

Referring to the invitation made by the Greek Prime Minister and EU Term President, Costas Simitis, to Turkish Cypriot political parties to have a meeting, President Denktas pointing out that it was necessary to be very careful on this issue, said Simitis’ and Papadopulos’ invitation was not made to the political parties of the TRNC, but made to political parties of the Turkish Cypriots, whom they consider to live under "occupation".

DENKTAS RECEIVES BRITISH MP

Receiving Richard Balfe, a British MP from the European Parliament, yesterday, President Denktas said the European Union, by closing its eyes to Cyprus’ past history and with a decision which is contrary to international law, has accepted South Cyprus as its member.

Pointing out that the European Union wants the whole of Cyprus, President Denktas said the European Union should have contacts with the TRNC and ask the reasons why an agreement could not be reached, why entry into the EU could not be realised together with the Greek Cypriots, and what the Turkish Cypriots want in order to enter the EU.

Referring to the Annan plan, President Denktas said the plan was cleverly prepared with the help of the British Representative Lord David Hannay, the USA Special Coordinator Thomas Weston and former Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Markides. He added that there were many traps in the plan for the Turkish Cypriot people.

EROGLU: "GREEK CYPRIOT INTRANSIGENCE WILL FURTHER INCREASE"

Speaking on a programme broadcast on the Turkish TRT-2 television channel, TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said the admittance of the Greek Cypriot administration under the name of the "Cyprus Republic" to the European Union, would not positively contribute to efforts directed at reaching a settlement to the Cyprus issue, but would further encourage Greek Cypriot intransigence.

Evaluating the latest developments on the Cyprus issue, Eroglu said the Turkish Cypriot side did not accept the Annan plan because it included negative elements and added that they were in favour of an agreement which would satisfy the two parties in Cyprus.

Saying that from now on, the Turkish Cypriot side would intensify its efforts aimed at strengthening the TRNC and overcoming existing economic problems, the Prime Minister said if the Greek Cypriots accept the Turkish existence in Cyprus, the existence of a Turkish Cypriot state with all its democratic institutions within its own geographical boundaries without ignoring bi-zonality, and if they accept that the Turkish Cypriots have the same rights and equal status as the Greek Cypriots, this would pave the way for a lasting settlement.

Referring to the Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis’ invitation made to political parties in TRNC to have a meeting, Eroglu said the invitation in question was made with the mentality that "the Greek Cypriots dominate the whole of Cyprus."

TURKISH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ABDULLATIF SENER IN TRNC

The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State in Charge of Cyprus Affairs, Adbullatif Sener, who arrived in the TRNC yesterday in order to have contacts mainly on the economic cooperation between the two countries, said the EU’s admittance of the Greek Cypriot administration as a member, contradicts international law and means the start of a totally new process.

Sener said: "However, in the forthcoming process, we will have very effective and important projects that will be implemented together with the Turkish Cypriot people with the aim of increasing the welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people. I deeply believe that our arguments which are within the legitimate parameters and recognised by international law, will be acknowledged by the whole international arena."

CYPRUS TURKISH RESISTANT MOVEMENT ASSOCIATION CONDEMNS UN SECURITY COUNCIL AND EU DECISIONS

The Chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Resistance Movement (TMT) Association, Yilmaz Bora, in a written statement strongly condemned the decisions of the UN Security Council and the EU, which are void of justice and any legal basis.

Sener said as a result of both the UN’s unjust resolution and the EU’s illegal stance, acceptance of the Greek Cypriot side’s EU membership was an opportunity which made them realise, once again, just how important a factor the reality of the TRNC was.

Stressing that the psychological warfare started with the Annan plan, despite all kinds of impositions which provided the basis for the Greek Cypriots to achieve their aim of Enosis, the Turkish Cypriots, who protected their national unity, would, with the support of motherland Turkey, overcome all these problems in unity and cooperation, Bora also expressed his belief that better days would soon be reached and expressed his hope that the state would soon start to undertake constructive efforts that would produce results.

JOINT DECLERATION FROM SEVEN ORGANISATIONS

In a joint declaration issued by the TRNC Human Rights Association, the TRNC Public Servants Union, the TRNC Mothers’ Association, the TRNC Consumers Association, the Association of Turkish Cypriot Refugees From The South Who Suffered Damages, the Cyprus Turkish Consumers Union, and the Baf Turkish Union, it was stated that, without the approval of the Turkish Cypriots, the European Union by accepting the Greek Cypriot EU membership on behalf of the whole of Cyprus under the name of the "Cyprus Republic" has violated international laws and agreements.

Stressing that the EU, which does not accept laws ensuring the security of the Turkish Cypriots, could not provide welfare, justice and security to the Turkish Cypriots, the declaration said the whole world should acknowledge that the recognition of the TRNC is the only way to achieve peace in Cyprus.