Cyprus: Annan Plan envisages single sovereignty

President Denktas attended a conference held by Tokat Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TOSIAD) on "Recent Developments in Cyprus".

Speaking at the conference, President Denktas said, "we have been struggling for our sovereignty and rights for the last 40 years with the support of Turkey. A few months ago, United Nations Secretary General Annan presented a plan. Leaders of some political parties and opposition leaders in TRNC claim that TRNC should sign the plan to become a member of the European Union (EU) as soon as possible. In fact, the plan envisages continuation of Cypriot state, single sovereignty and single state in parallel with decisions taken by the Greek Cypriot National Council in 1989. TRNC cannot become member of an international organization without Turkey. What was this decision of National Council? It was single sovereignty. We defend double sovereignty. Turkish government also defends double sovereignty. Two states were formed as a result of our efforts. We said that there can be a partnership between two states. Turkish government said that the matter of two states is fact and it acts according to the fact. The decision continues, all Greek Cypriot migrants’ returning to their properties means to uproot 100,000 Turks."

Stressing that some games were wanted to be used on Cyprus, Denktas said, "we have been walking on this path for 40 years, it is a national path."

Denktas said, "there is another path in front of us. They told us that you should come to this path and show us the EU handful. Who are those who beg? Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Greece which has wanted to annex Cyprus for 125 years. Who else says you should come to this path? Papadopoulos and the United States… It is the United States who said that ‘the issue is not legal.’ The United States and Britain which disregard international agreements put forward Greek Cypriot administration as if it was a legitimate government in Cyprus. Why? What does their hostility stem from? The reason is that the United States and Britain want to make Cyprus a base belonging to themselves."