PRESIDENT DENKTAŽ: “BIASED REPORTS PROLONG THE CYPRUS ISSUE”  

President Rauf Denktaž said that biased prepared reports, incorrectly evaluating the Turkish Cypriots result in incorrect conclusions and “prolong the Cyprus issue”.  

President Denktaž commenting on the report prepared by Finish parliamentarian Jaakkso Laakso that stated that Turkish immigrants were colonizing TRNC territory said “we have replied to this report in a very extensive and strong manner”.  The President added that this report was prepared upon the complaint of the Greek Cypriots following their visits here and observing the present situation.  

President Denktaž added that, EU Commissioner for Expansion Gunter Verheugen previously stated, “Turkish Cypriots were suffering under starvation and were unhappily living under invasion”, but nevertheless rejected the Annan Plan and underlined that he had replied to Verheugen and informed him of his remarks being incorrect and false.  

ERTUŠRULOŠLU EVALUATED THE STATEMENTS OF PAPADOPOULOS, HASIKOS AND KETI KLERIDES

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Tahsin Ertušrulošlu underlined that, if a new partnership in Cyprus is a question, this ought to be established on the basis of the two equal sovereignties on the island and added that “we shall continue our insistence on this matter”. 

“Any entity which is not established on the two equal sovereignties, whatever its name may be, is deemed to collapse and fall under Greek domination and sovereignty.  This is the reason why we insist on a new probable partnership to be founded based on the two peoples separate sovereignty” 

Minister Ertušrulošlu evaluated the statements of Greek Cypriot leader Papadopoulos, former defense minister Hasikos and former member of parliament Keti Klerides.

Reacting to the statement of Papadoupolos regarding their “desire” for Turkish Cypriots to equally enjoy political and economic rights despite the fact that they are “mathematical minority”, Ertušrulošlu said “what gratitude! The framework mentioned is one which was obtained in the 1960 Treaties and a framework we thought was guaranteed through international treaties”

Regarding Hasikos’ statement of “return to Girne could be possible with the Annan Plan” Ertušrulošlu said this indicated the reality of the Annan Plan and added that “Hasikos’ statement indicates the Greek perception of the Annan Plan”. 

“Nevertheless, the Annan Plan envisaged the return of Greek Cypriots not only to Girne but all over the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.  The aim of this Plan was to make sure the Turkish Cypriots left this island”.

Touching on to Keti Klerides’ remarks regarding the necessity of Greek Cypriots to be in cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot opposition in the forthcoming elections, the Minister said that this was not surprising and that “this cooperation is nothing new, it has being going on for years.  This cooperation has intensively been going on for years.  We went through a period where joint meetings and declarations took place.  If they had said no cooperation is going to take place we would not have believed it.”