Denktas: They Have Destroyed My Opportunities Of Bargaining

Denktas said Turkey’s policy on Cyprus issue was determined by the government, Parliament, National Security Council and the President, noting that no statement has been made by them that Cyprus policy has changed. He said there was no difference of opinion between Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and them. Denktas said Erdogan’s statements about Cyprus issue progressed toward a right basis. Pointing out that they should be accepted within the EU as a national existence that can not be melted, Denktas said it was obligatory to make extraordinary economic aid for a specific time to make their economy equal with the Greek Cypriot side.
Denktas said that if a result comes out from the talks until February 28, he will bring the issue to Parliament and added that Parliament should ask people whether they would like such an agreement. He requested Parliament to study on referendum laws now by considering a possible referendum on March 30, in case of an agreement.
Noting that if Annan Plan is signed as it is, no changes can be done and only blank pages concerning laws can be arranged, Denktas said that Greek Cypriots will be accepted inside and map which was presented with plan will be accepted by signing the document.
Recalling that he said to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan’s Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto that he should not expect change except little retouchings, but there could be changes in any subject concerning an agreement with Greek Cypriots, Denktas said that ”take or leave” idea cannot be attributed with Annan’s good intention duty and United Nations became a referee with this manner.

ARINC MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN TRNC
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Tuesday that he had held beneficial and constructive meetings with representatives of political parties in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) adding, ”we have the opportunity of understanding Cyprus fact in a better way.”
In the second day of his official visit to the TRNC, Arinc met with leaders and representatives of political parties separately.
Addressing journalists following his contacts, Arinc said, ”leaders and representatives of political parties in the TRNC gave important information to us about Cyprus fact. Such comprehensive contacts have never been held in official visits paid to the TRNC so far. Our visit to the TRNC is not restricted with an official visit. We held contacts with both leaders of political parties and representatives of non-governmental organizations. During our contacts, we have the opportunity of understanding Cyprus fact in a better way. I will assess my impressions with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and the MPs. I will hold a press conference on Wednesday morning about my contacts in the TRNC.”
National Unity Party (UBP) leader and Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu told reporters that issue of annexation to Turkey does not exist in their agenda, and their expectation is economic integration. He added that they need Turkey’s supporting messages in such a period and the demonstrations which were held after Annan Plan should be considered as the reflection of economic difficulties of people.

Noting that they are expecting determined and strong messages of Turkey, Eroglu said that hesitant statements strengthened Greek Cypriot side in membership to European Union (EU) while Turkish Cypriot side became weak.

Democrat Party leader and TRNC Tourism and Environment Minister Serdar Denktas who met with Arinc and Turkish Parliamentary delegation said that meetings were positive and they conveyed all the difficulties to delegation.

Denktas said that people held demonstrations but those demonstrations do not bring any results and added that those people do not object President Denktas. He added that TRNC will experience bad days if Annan Plan is accepted in this condition.

Parliament Speaker Arinc met Communal Liberation Party (TKP) leader Huseyin Angolemli following a lunch hosted by Turkish Ambassador to the TRNC Hayati Guven.

Speaking after the meeting, Angolemli said TRNC President Denktas contradicted with the majority of people, and that they told the delegation that he would not be able to continue his mission for long.

Pointing out that they wanted Turkish government to openly reveal their attitude, Angolemli said, ”we don’t want the solution to be put into the refrigerator till Turkey enters the EU.”

Arinc later met with Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Speaking after the meeting, Talat said those who organized rallies wanted their future to be determined, and Turkey’s entrance to the EU. Talat said Denktas and his friends bottleneck Turkey’s membership process to the EU.

Arinc, who will meet with representatives of NGOs, will participate in a dinner that would be hosted by TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu.

CONTACTS OF WESTON IN ANKARA

Thomas Weston, the special coordinator of the U.S. State Department for Cyprus, said on Tuesday about his visit to Turkey that he was in Ankara because the parliament would take some decisions.

Weston paid a visit to Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Inal Batu.

Recalling that he had held contacts with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, Weston said that Turkey considered Cyprus a national case.

Weston said that he was in Ankara because the parliament would take some decisions.

Meanwhile, Batu said in his part, ”Cyprus is a national case for us. The attempts to connect the Cyprus question with Turkey’s full membership to the European Union (EU), made the issue more complicated. The United States has been interested in the issue from the very beginning. Therefore, Weston holds contacts in Ankara in an important period.”

Pointing out that they expected talks between President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides to resume within 1-2 days, Batu said the United States would have more constructive contributions to the issue in this period.
Responding to the questions of reporters, Batu said he conveyed point of view of CHP to Weston, adding that Annan Plan was prepared by the EU, and defended that the EU for years did not act in a balanced way on Cyprus issue.
Batu said, ”Annan Plan completely demolishes the bi-zonality principle which had provided peace so far. By diluting the security of Turkish Cypriots, it does not consider the principle of the North to live in economic means and seriously injures sovereign equality concept. This plan should be changed and made in more justly in a way that is more appropriate to the facts of the island. We expect the support of the United States.”
Batu said Weston told him that there would be some changes on the plan, yet that he did not say something concrete.
Batu said that the issue of ”what happens if a solution cannot be found until February 28?” was also brought into agenda in the meeting and added that he told that there is no such an example of imposing unfair embargoes to a country which is governed by elected representatives in democratic ways in the history of humanity. He said that those embargoes were imposed to force Turkish Cypriots to sign an agreement presented by EU and if agreement is not signed and a political solution cannot be found, international society, especially the United States, should stop this embargo and help Turkish Cypriots preparing for EU as a separate political existence. He added that the United States should approach to Cyprus question with a new model which is just, fair and appropriate to human rights after February 28.
Meanwhile, British Ambassador to Turkey Peter Westmacott visited CHP leader Deniz Baykal in his office.
Sources said that Weston noted during his contacts in Ankara that Cyprus issue should be solved till February 28.
Weston also gave the message that good willed negotiations should be held.
Upon Weston’s words, Ankara gave the message that they also wanted to get a result till February 28 but that the Greek Cypriots should be more understanding.
Weston will go to Athens on Wednesday and will later proceed to Cyprus.