DR. KUCUK REMEMBERED

The late leader of the Turkish Cypriot people’s Struggle for Freedom and Independence, Dr. Fazil Kucuk, was yesterday remembered on the 19th anniversary of his death.   

During the ceremony messages were written in the special book by President Denktas, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosa, Hayati Guven, the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces, Lieutenant General Ahmet Ozteker, and the Commander of the Security Forces, Brigadier Necmettin Baykul.  

Denktas: “…This people will eventually find the right road”  

In his message written in the special book President Denktas wrote: “Beloved Doctor, the voices being raised for the sake of EU membership in this country, which you dedicated your life to, also distresses you. Once the realities have been exposed and everyone opens their eyes to this, and the traps in the Annan Plan understood, the Turkish Cypriot people, acting with common sense, will find the right road. The reality is this; those calling upon me to sign the Annan Plan, no matter what, are few in numbers.  Everyone desires peace and reconciliation. But, for the sake of immediate peace, it is not giving up everything we gained through our long struggle to the Greek Cypriots, it is that the Turkish Cypriots will protect their rights and liberty. May your soul rest in peace”.  

CYPRUS NEGOTIATIONS RESUME

Direct negotiations aimed at resolving the Cyprus issue resumed yesterday after a break that lasted more than two months.  President Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides met at the UN Conference Centre in the UN Buffer Zone at 11:00. The UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, was also present at the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting on his arrival at the Presidential Palace, President Denktas pointing out that the two leaders would continue their negotiations at 16:00 on Friday (January 17) said, the changes that each sides would like to be made to the Annan Plan were discussed.

Pointing out that the negotiation timetable would be determined on Friday (January 16), the President said: “Both sides have objections and will request something which will be discussed”.  

President Denktas added that both sides’ advisers would also attend Friday’s meeting.  

SPEAKER OF TURKISH PARLIAMENT BULENT ARINC SAYS ANNAN PLAN MUST CHANGE ON FOUR MAIN ISSUES

The Speaker of the Turkish Parliament Bulent Arinc, in a press conference at the Merit Hotel yesterday evaluated his two-day contacts in the TRNC.

Arinc said for the Annan Plan to be acceptable changes must be made on four main issues and a Cyprus settlement should be based on a bi-zonal order, in which, the two sides’ political equality and sovereignty will be respected, and the continuation of Turkey’s effective guarantee.  

Referring to the Cyprus negotiation process, which resumed yesterday, Arinc said President Denktas should be supported and expressed the importance of the unity of the  Turkish Cypriot people during the negotiation process.  

Following the completion of his contacts in the TRNC, Arinc and his 20-member parliamentary delegation departed from the TRNC yesterday evening.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN BULUC: “DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING CHANGES IN OUR CYPRUS POLICY ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION”

The Spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Yusuf Buluc said: “Developments regarding a change in Turkey’s policy over Cyprus was out of the question”.  

Speaking during his weekly press conference, responding to a question asked whether   Turkey’s policy on Cyprus had changed or not, Buluc pointing out that Turkey has always favoured a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus said: “There is no change in our aim to secure a reconciliation based on the creation of a new partnership in Cyprus that will preserve the existing peace, Turkey’s effective and continued guarantee, the Greco-Turkish balance, and the acknowledgment of the two side’s political equality”.  

Pointing out that to give the negotiation process a new chance, an opportunity has been given to continue the negotiations until the end of February in close cooperation with TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Buluc said, the Turkish Cypriot side views the proposals put forward by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as negotiable, and this view is also shared by Turkey.

He added if an agreement is to be reached between the two sides on the island by February 28, as it is envisaged by the United Nations, certain aspects of these proposals must be changed in line with the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side. He said: “In line with this aim, the stance to be followed by the Turkish Cypriot side, especially by President Denktas, in the forthcoming negotiation process will be jointly determined with TRNC officials, within the framework of the negotiations to be carried out. Apart from this, there are no developments regarding a change in our policy over Cyprus. Turkey supports the ongoing negotiation process, which aims to achieve a permanent settlement in Cyprus, and President Denktas’ efforts”.