By Pelin Turgut
TURKISH Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash yesterday welcomed Turkey’s newly won EU candidacy, saying it would give his breakaway administration’s strongest backer added influence in Europe.
Speaking at Istanbul airport on his way back from “beneficial” UN-backed talks in New York aimed at ending Cyprus’ tense division, Denktash said he wanted international recognition for both parts of the island.
Turkey within Europe would be in a better position to campaign on his behalf, he said during a joint news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.
“The New York visit has been beneficial because many truths were put on the table. Now some stones will move,” Denktash said. “With Turkey taking a step toward the EU, Europe will see these truths and seek to unify both sides.”
Earlier, Denktash had attacked the EU line on Cyprus saying it would solidify the 25-year division of the Mediterranean island. And he implicitly criticised Ankara for accepting an invitation to enter membership talks at last weekend’s EU summit.
Denktash heads a breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration in the north recognised by Ankara alone. The rest of the world views Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, leader of the Greek Cypriot south, as head of the island’s government.
Denktash is seeking a loose confederation of two states on Cyprus, a move that would involve recognising his administration, something Greek Cyprus rejects.
The indirect talks in New York are set to resume in January.
In New York, Denktash criticised the EU for failing to make a political solution on Cyprus a precondition for accepting the Cyprus government’s application to start membership talks.
Turkish President Suleyman Demirel warned that the EU would inherit the long-running dispute if it made Cyprus a member country without ending the island’s division.
“The key for a solution is (acknowledgement) of the equal sovereignty of both sides of the island,” he said.
Despite accepting the EU’s offer of candidacy and with it the wording on Cyprus, Turkey stressed it had not changed its opinion that the Cypriot EU application had been made for the whole island over the head of Denktash’s administration.
“The Greek Cypriot government is not our government. They are bandits who have taken the title of government of Cyprus at gunpoint,” Denktash said.
The Mediterranean island has been partitioned since 1974 when Turkish troops took over northern Cyprus in response to a coup in the capital Nicosia engineered by Greece. The coup leaders sought to unite the island with Greece.
The problem has long resisted diplomatic attempts at a solution. But many see the EU’s acceptance of Turkey as a candidate as a way of possibly breaking the deadlock.
Turkish columnist Ismet Berkan said Turkey’s future in Europe was now bound to resolution of the Cyprus dispute.
“No solution on Cyprus means no EU membership for Turkey. And the reverse is true. As Cyprus approaches a solution, Turkey will near full membership, ” he wrote yesterday.
