Denktas: We Put Forward Our Own Plan For Peace

When reminded about the statement of De Soto who said that ”I don’t understand opening of the border in Cyprus,” Denktas said that ”his words prove that he didn’t understand Cyprus issue. During the talks which lasted for one year, it was seen that he didn’t understand anything and he always wanted to understand the Greek Cypriot side. In my talks with leaders since 1968, I told them that the movement of persons was easy, but that we would not permit the entry of those who committed genocide. I told De Soto that we would not accept any proposal he would bring unless the ground was balanced. We opened the doors to prepare the ground for peace and compromise, and Greek Cypriots came. Our target was to make them see that both sides are equal. We wanted them to see that we live in good conditions, and we have a state.”

Denktas said that the conditions would be milder if there was no intervention from outside, adding that ”there is administration in the north which is equal to the south. Those who left everything in the South don’t want to become migrants again. If we can’t set up one state, we can live together as two friendly countries.”

Responding to a question about the determination of properties and settlement of migrants, Denktas said that ”goods can reach their places by global barter. We said that properties and settlement of migrants could take place within the scope of a quota. There are such restrictions in many parts of Europe. According to the map of De Soto, 60,000-70,000 Greek Cypriots would settle in the north. This would cause chaos.”

Denktas said that they told Greek Cypriots that ‘let’s be friends, but don’t settle here.” Yet Turkish Cypriots who went to the South were beaten, he added, condemning this attitude.

(ÖS-AÖ) 30.04.2003