SERDAR DENKTAS “GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE COULD NOT BECOME EUROPEAN”
TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas, in a statement made yesterday,
regarding the Greek Cypriots attempt to appoint the so-called Muhktar to
Korucam, stated that the Greek Cypriot side, which became a European
member by violating the international agreements, could not become
European. Serdar Denktas stressed that with respect to the minority
rights, the Greek Cypriot side by appointing a so-called muhktar to
Korucam has proven that it was still under the grip of an old-fashion
mentality, and has shown it attitude towards the minorities.
Denktas added that this is an attempt to provoke TRNC’s steps taken
with good intentions.
The text of the
statement issued by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Serdar Denktas on 14 April is as follows:
“How European it
is to be intolerant to the fact that after 30 years Maronites living in
Korucam in the north were given the right of electing their own local
administrators, which we see as a step towards increasing confidence and
an indication of softening our policies.
The “so-called” muhktar, whom the
Greek Cypriot administration said it “appointed”, will complete his term
by Monday. If he continues to act as if he is still the muhktar while he
does not have any authority and creates problems to Maronites living
in the village, our authorized organs will take the necessary measures.
Our ministry has announced that on 15 April there will be an election of
muhktar and members of societies and that Maronites who want to become
candidate can apply to our ministry until 31 March. Therefore one
candidate for muhktar and 4 candidates for societies who applied to our
ministry will participate to the elections.
The Greek Cypriot side’s decision is a
clear indication how it sees minorities. Moreover it is an attempt to
provoke TRNC’s steps taken with good intentions. Additionally the
Greek Cypriot side’s decision is a new indication of their behaviors
ignoring the Turkish Cypriots democratic approaches and the will of
minorities. These types of behaviors do not help to settlement either.
On elections to be held Sunday (17
April) the muhktar will be elected with the simple majority of 112
Maronites living in the village and the election will be repeated until
57 votes are secured. Those who will try to prevent or sabotage the
election will be punished by the laws. It is necessary to make this clear.
It is the basic right of 112 Maronites living in Korucam to use their
own will and elect their muhktar without being subjected to any pressures
and we expect them to use their rights.”
