Denktas: We Have Not Abandoned Our Present Political Position With Allowing Passages
Anadolu Agency: 4/23/2003
LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for Tourism Serdar Denktas said on Wednesday that they had not abandoned their present political position with the decision allowing passage of TRNC citizens to the Greek Cypriot side.
Replying to questions of reporters, Denktas said, ''we are taking steps for normalization of relations.''
Denktas noted that the decision would enter into force as of Wednesday morning and stated that there should not be a heap of people at the border gates with the approach that the ''implementation would be lifted three days later'' and people should be calm.
All citizens of TRNC could move between TRNC and Greek Cypriot side under the decision, Denktas said.
But, he noted, they could not know about the stance of the Greek Cypriot side.
Denktas pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side defined people who came from Turkey, started to live on the island and became TRNC citizens as ''settled'' and it said that ''they were not Cypriot people and they should go back.''
The Greek Cypriot side announced that ''it would not obstruct the passages'' despite all its displeasure, Denktas said.
Denktas noted, ''we have to wait an see. I won't recommend our citizens to go to the Greek Cypriot side at the very beginning.''
There would be passage through three border gates for the time being, Denktas pointed out.
Denktas said that new border gates could be opened in time.
Personnel could be inadequate due to a heap of people in the first days, Denktas noted and stressed that everybody should be calm.
Denktas recalled that pains were experienced in the past, and he added that especially the young people would be interested in going to the other side.
They consulted to Turkey and got its support before taking that decision, Denktas said.
When he was reminded about the claims that ''some ministers did not adopt the decision'', Denktas said, ''the decision has been made by the Council of Ministers. It will not be beneficial to anybody to make other comments.''
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