PEACE AND FREEDOM ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED

The 20^th of July, Peace and Freedom Day, the 29^th anniversary of Turkish Peace Operation in Cyprus, was celebrated yesterday with various ceremonies and special events all over the TRNC. The ceremonies in Lefkosa took place respectively at the Martyrs Monument, the Ataturk Monument and the Dr. Fazil Kucuk Boulevard.

During the parade at the Dr. Fazil Kucuk Boulevard in the morning which took place with the participation of the Turkish state, government and military officials, and the guests from 18 different countries, the speeches delivered by Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener and TRNC President Rauf Denktas.

President Denktas, addressing the people, said the Turkish Cypriot people knew well how basic rights and freedom were gained and stressed that if it is not defended carefully, it would be easy to lose them and it would not be possible to regain them.

Stressing that our rights and freedom which became concrete with TRNC state  was the natural result of 1974 Peace Operation, President Denktas said that protecting this State was a matter of dignity.

Pointing out that through the EU membership, the Greek Cypriots tried to do what they could not do with force of arms, President Denktas said that the only way to reach a settlement on the Cyprus issue is the equal sovereignty of the two parties and added that it was unreasonable to expect  the people  to ignore their own established state.

Referring to the Annan plan, President Denktas said that if he had signed it, one of the two peoples would have been displaced in TRNC and added that De Soto chose the way of settling the refugees problem by creating 100 thousand Turkish Cypriot refugees which was inhumane and illogical way.

For his part, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener stressed that Turkey would never allow Cyprus to return the dark days prior to July 20.

Making explanations on the economic issues, Sener said they have to establish more productive, fertile and an economic structure to the benefit of the whole  of people.

Stressing that following the completion of the scheduled investments, 12 percent increase in the TRNC’s gross national product would be realised in a year and that 4 thousand additional employment opportunities would be provided, Abdullatif Sener said the point reached today as a result of the cooperation between the two countries on the  foreign trade, is to materialise the customs cooperation between the two countries as soon as possible.

Underlining that the technical studies for the improvement of free trade has reached the final stage and that these studies have a great importance for the TRNC’s  economy.

Continuing, Sener said: “The time had come for the lifting of the inhumane embargoes upon the Turkish Cypriot  people. Today, this is the most urgent issue in Cyprus. Despite all the obstacles and unjust embargoes staged against us, it is the duty of all of us to develop the TRNC. We believe that the Turkish Cypriot people has the energy and strength to reach this end. You are not alone in this road. TRNC’s development in peace and stability, and the Turkish Cypriot people’s tranquillity is the invariable priority of the Turkish Republic and will continue to be so.”

Meanwhile, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, has sent a message to President Denktas marking the day.

In his message, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, reminding that important developments has achieved in the process of the settlement of the Cyprus issue, expressed his appreciation for the determination of the Turkish Cypriot people and President Denktas in the direction of protecting the independence and freedom and  gaining equal and sovereign status.

Turkish President Sezer also expressed his belief that the recent constructive openings made by the Turkish Cypriot side, would contribute to overcome the existing crisis of confidence and normalisation of the relations on the island and the efforts directed towards reaching a just and permanent settlement. Sezer once more reiterated Turkey’s full support for the Turkish Cypriot people.

GREEK CYPRIOT DEFENCE MINISTER MAVRONIKOLAS: “WITHDRAWAL OF U.S.A. WEAPONS FROM THE ISLAND IS OUT OF QUESTION”

In an interview with Greek daily “To Vima”, the Greek Cypriot Defence Minister, Kiriakos Mavronikolas, stated that at present stage, the withdrawal of U.S.A. made weapons from the island is not possible.

Mavronikolas pointed out that America has been exerting pressure over Greece and South Cyprus for a long time. “American Ambassadors in Athens and Nicosia had requests on this issue. However, this is not something new. We believe that with the help of Greece, we will find a solution to this issue” Mavronikolas said.

Pointing out that at this stage, any kind of “loosing” in the defence system of the Greek Cypriot administration is out of question, Mavronikolas alleged that the acceptance of the full EU membership of the Greek Cypriot administration in May 2004, before reaching a settlement on the island could lead to “extremely dangerous” developments in the region.

Mavronikolas said: “Greece and Cyprus (Greek Cypriot side) with the support of the National Guard, should continue for strengthening their defence.”