TRNC President Rauf Denktas, responding to questions asked by Sedat Sertoglu, the correspondent for the Turkish daily, ‘Vatan, on April 19, 2002, to the effect that he was responsible for the Cyprus issue’s present position, said: "If protecting and defending the rights of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots is a crime, then yes I am guilty. All these years, I have always taken steps with the full consent and knowledge of Turkey."

Pointing out that together with the Greek Cypriots they discussed all aspects of the Annan plan and that if pressure was exerted on him to sign the plan in its present form, he would not sign it, the President said: "If Turkey put in this agreement a point guaranteeing the rehabilitation in Turkey of all those Turkish Cypriots who do not want to live under Greek Cypriot administration, then I may sign. Only under this condition, I can convince my people to accept something."

Stressing that he did not put the Annan plan to a referendum because he could not take this risk on his own, President Denktas said it was not possible with just his desire, since there are laws in the TRNC. He added that first the government should accept the referendum, and then it should be approved by parliament.

Asked what would happen in the event of not reaching an agreement, President Denktas said: "Then Turkey may ask the EU, within the framework of its own conditions, to call the TRNC together with Turkey to the negotiating table and take it into the union. This system may work. Turkey has not invaded the island but used the guarantorship right vested to her by the 1960 Agreement. This is known by the whole world."

Continuing, President Denktas said he had told Annan that there was no need to go to Hague, while Papadopulos had said they couldn’t say ‘yes’ to the Annan plan in it’s present form, but that he would go to Hague to say ‘no’, and added that therefore he had already decided to go to the Hague in order to ensure that Annan didn’t go back empty handed.

The President added that Annan had talked with the Turkish Cypriot side and the guarantor states respectively for 20 hours and that new alternatives had been put forward, but the British mediator Lord David Hannay had destroyed everything and negotiations were once again blocked.

The Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, during his visit to South Cyprus on April 18, 2003, as the "Term President of the European Union", on evaluating the Greek Cypriot administrations’ EU membership, in a highly emotional speech said: "We have achieved Enosis".

Simitis, was speaking during the welcoming ceremony in front of the Hilton Hotel in South Lefkosa where he was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the Greek Cypriot people.

The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Gul, speaking after participating on a TV programme, upon being reminded of the recent remarks made by Costas Simitis, replied by saying that he was not aware of how true these remarks were and added: "If such remarks had been made, none of these would contribute to peace. Moreover, the Turkish Cypriot side’s justified position has now been proven to the whole world. This will also show how right the Turkish Cypriot side’s concerns are, but I do not think that such remarks were made. If they were made, then this shows how justified President Denktas is in his stance."

Meanwhile, the Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Abdullatif Sener, speaking on his return to Ankara from a recent visit to the TRNC, referring to Simitis’ remarks said: "Simitis’ remarks are contrary to international law and the realities, and is a clear indication of their real intentions."

Stressing that the European Union should be deeply worried about such remarks, which has disturbed the Turkish side, Sener said their interests over Cyprus would continue to increase.

As part of their aggressive and expansionist policies, the Greek Cypriots opened the "Girne Municipality" building in Lefkosa, which is 200 metres from the Ledra Palace.