| | | | While there were positives and negatives to the reunification plan put forward by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, General Hilmi Özkok said it was important that the Turkish Cypriot people not be pressured ahead of the April 24 referendum.
“We respect to the view of our people that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) should always assume a definite attitude towards every important issue saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and it should share its view with the public opinion. However, the TSK should not be expected to be the side which shows its own reaction and which shares its every view with the public opinion,” he told a press conference in Ankara.
Of particular concern was the security relationship between Cyprus and Turkey, the General said.
“As I have stated before, Cyprus is not an issue concerning only our kinsmen in Cyprus. Turkey’s security is in question,” Ozkok said. “The relationship between Cyprus and Turkey’s security is not as superficial as to be explained as geographical closeness between the island and Turkey. It is related with preservation of our rights and interests in the East Mediterranean. It is the Turkish parliament that will make a decision on behalf of Turkish nation about the proposal for a settlement in the island. We have full belief that Turkish Cypriot people and Turkish parliament will take the best decision.”
Özkok said that it would not be appropriate for him to give his own views on whether the proposed reunification of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek Cypriot administered south of the island should be approved.
However, he then went on to say that the General Staff saw serious problems in implementing the proposed reunification.
“We believe that it is important to review federal laws and international agreements which are the determinants of a new order to be established in the island and to make necessary changes and arrangements for a fair and lasting order,” Özkok said.
He also said that the UN drafted plan for reunification was not completely satisfactory.
“Despite its positive sides, we can say it doesn’t totally meet our demands,” he said. “We see serious problems in implementing the plan. Although the Treaty of Guarantee and Treaty of Alliance are preserved without any changes, it is true that some adaptations will be made and additional responsibilities will be undertaken in implementation of the plan as a necessity of additional protocols. We think that these adaptations will not prevent us from using our rights as guarantor power.
“On the other hand, although its number is reduced, TSK will continue to stay in the island until Turkey decides to withdraw its soldiers from the island.”
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