Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (17.01.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has vowed that he will never abandon their state. Addressing the late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas yesterday during a ceremony at the so-called presidential palace, Eroglu described Denktas as a hero, who had chosen to become a so-called fighter for the Turkish Cypriot people instead of becoming man of the Brits.
Eroglu argued that what made Denktas the man he was, are his efforts to drag Turkey into the Cyprus problem, the establishment of the terrorist TMT organization and his insistence to bring a commander from Turkey to head this organization in order to avoid possible quarrels among the Turkish Cypriots, the fact that he was not deceived by late President Makarios on the issue of making constitutional amendments in 1963, his upright stance during the negotiations process which started in 1968, his efforts for a Turkish military intervention in the island after the coup of 15 July 1974, the declaration of the TRNC, breakaway regime, on 15 November 1983 and his belief in the continuation of the TRNC until he died.
Addressing Denktas, Eroglu said: Our founding president, our eternal leader, be at ease. No one will ever make me and our people step back from the existence of the state. Absolutely no pressure, no promise will be able to make us refrain from supporting bi-zonality, the existence of the two peoples and the continuation of Turkeys active and effective guarantees.
Eroglu argued that few leaders in the world have been loved and respected by their people like Rauf Denktas. Recalling the words of Denktas that he wanted to be remembered as the person who secured the Turkish army stepping foot in Cyprus again, Eroglu noted: We understand the importance of these words and we will continue with determination to do whatever is necessary.
