Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Turkish Cypriot leader says importance of Cyprus for Turkey increasing
by Anatolia news agency, Ankara - 24 Nov 00
Posted: Wednesday, November 29, 2000 07:32 pm CST

Istanbul/Kadikoy, 24th November: President Rauf Denktas of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Friday 24th November that importance of Cyprus for Turkey gradually increased, adding, "With this respect, the island can never be handed over to Greek Cypriots. Greece can't have rights on the island more than Turkey."

Making opening remarks of a symposium on "Seventeenth anniversary of foundation of TRNC and peace operation" at the Great Club, Denktas explained his talks with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot side since 1968.

Recalling that a four-article agreement based on a bicommunal federal republic where communities could live in their own regions had been adopted in 1977, Denktas said, "With these persons, I have talked about federation and autonomy in every platform. My target is equality between nations, sovereignty of the two nations, continuation of Turkey's rights on the island, living of the nations in their own lands and prohibition of enosis."

Defining the Greek Cypriots' application to the European Union (EU) as a "great Byzantine game and blackmail", Denktas said that the Greek Cypriots' desire to ignore the Turkish Cypriots still continued.

Stating that Greek Cypriots had made an application to join the European security and defence system and that they sat on the table with Turkey in the meetings, Denktas said, "They say they could give 2,000 soldiers. Which soldiers? The looter force that formed to destroy Turkey ... agency ellipsis They make Turkey and Greek Cypriot side confront each other by deploying soldiers."

"The strategic and geopolitical importance of Cyprus for Turkey gradually increases. With this respect, the island can never be handed over to Greek Cypriots. Greece can't have rights on Cyprus more than Turkey. Will Turkey enter the EU tomorrow, if it says that it gives up Cyprus today? Cyprus has been deliberately put as an obstacle in front of Turkey. The Armenian issue has been put forward. What is the Armenian issue? This is totally about the archives," he said.

"They say Cyprus could be a member of the EU in next two or three years. Greece becomes the term president in 2003. I wonder whether we have the chance to enter the EU when Greece becomes the term president. There is a master plan and in accordance with this master plan, Cyprus will be Greece's," the TRNC president said.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots would never accept Greek Cypriot rule and dominance over the island, Denktas said, "The Turkish Cypriots do not submit to this. We have never lowered this flag for 400 years. We have said for 400 years that Cyprus is homeland of Turkish Cypriots."

TRNC President Rauf Denktas said that he would sign an agreement only if it recognized existence and sovereignty of two separate states on the island and foresaw continuation of Turkey's guarantorship. "I withdraw from the talks if I fail to protect these."

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