In his new year message, President Denktaş pointing out that 2004 would be the year of destiny for everyone, said: “We are getting into a new year. It is time to protect our state and rights and to evaluate the developments calmly. Those who patiently protect their state will win."

President Denktaş said that a state under Turkey’s guarantee should be the base for a real peace.

Pointing out that they were entering 2004 after a very hard, very good and very democratic election period, President Denktaş said since the establishment of their own state the Turkish Cypriots were living the years once hijacked by Makarios and wished that people would not forget the past.

Stressing that the Greek Cypriot side had been engaged in efforts to destroy our state which was established through great sacrifices and to derogate us into a minority status within the Greek Cypriot Republic, President Denktaş said in 2004, everyday the pressure towards destroying our state would increase and he added that we should aware of this.

EFFORTS TO FORM THE NEW GOVERNMENT CONTINUE

Within the framework of the assignment by President Denktaş to form the new government, the leader of Republican Turkish Party United Forces (CTP-BG) Mehmet Ali Talat met with Serdar Denktaş, the leader of Democratic Party (DP), the TRNC State Minister in Charge of Tourism and Deputy Prime Minister, on Wednesday.

In order to achieve progress in efforts to form the new government, Mehmet Ali Talat pointed out that the Assembly of the National Unity Party’s should give response specifically to those questions waiting to be answered, and added: "We are waiting for the decision of the National Unity Party (UBP). Since the order to form the new government belongs to us, we are open to any type of government under the leadership of CTP. At this moment, we have not reached a concrete point. Our efforts are still continuing."