Denktas: Accepting Annan plan is a suicide

ISTANBUL (AA) – President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said in case Turkish Cypriots accepted plan of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, this would mean committing suicide.

Denktas arrived in Istanbul to deliver a speech at a university.

When journalists reminded Denktas the statements of former Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides that they had put pressure on four Moslem states and prevented them from recognizing TRNC, he said, "they come to every meeting in Moslem countries and they make lobby. They had set up business relations with Islam countries. This is not friendship. It was our right to take place in OIC being a Turkish-Moslem nation. They showed enmity by preventing this right, not friendship."

Denktas also reminded the statement of Clerides in which he said, "as preparations were underway for the Annan plan, we got information about the contents of the plan. They talked to us, and we had the opportunity to take precautionary measures against the sections that are against us."

Denktas said, "this is what we have said so far. De Soto worked in full cooperation with Chief Prosecutor of Greek Cypriots, Markidis. When I wanted to talk about the philosophy and vision of the plan with Clerides, it was clear that a just and righteous result could have been yielded. Clerides opposed to it, and De Soto also immediately opposed to it as the moment Clerides expressed his opposition. Thus, we fought against the whole world. As a British jurist stated, ‘Annan Plan would mean committing suicide in case Turkish Cypriots accept it’."

Denktas said, "what kind of a suicide this will be? Our sovereignty and state will be eliminated. Turkey’s rights on Cyprus will also be eliminated. This will really be a suicide for us. We should resist and continue bargaining. We have to discuss and agree on the principles."

When he was asked if TRNC may be recognized by some countries during the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting to be held in Malaysia, he said, "no. Of course, we would be pleased with it. But do not forget, the United States and Britain put pressure not only on us, but on these countries as well. If they extend aid to these countries, they threaten them to stop aid. These countries have difficulties, but their people say their hearts are with us."