TRNC President Ersin Tatar speaks to 12punto: 'We must not fall into the federation trap'

Caner TAŞPINAR- 12punto.com.tr /EXCLUSIVE

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar, Cyprus Peace Operation's 50th anniversary, made important statements to 12punto. 

As part of the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation carried out on July 20, 1974, many events including official ceremonies, memorial marches, and visits to martyrs' cemeteries will be organized by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).      

Within the scope of the celebrations, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmuş and cabinet members, as well as political party representatives and numerous members of parliament, will also be in the TRNC. Kurtulmuş will be accompanied by members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Presidential Council and group deputy chairmen.

The celebrations will be attended by, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, 174 Cyprus veterans, members of the Central Executive Board, and numerous members of parliament. At the invitation of Özel, Prof. Dr. Ayşe Güneş Ayata, daughter of the late Foreign Minister Turan Güneş, who inspired the code "Ayşe should go on vacation" during the Cyprus Peace Operation, will also be present. the then Minister of Labor Önder Sav will also take part in the events. Özel traveled to the TRNC today for the July 20 celebrations. 

Along with Erdoğan, also MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, DSP Chairman Önder Aksakal, and BBP Chairman Mustafa Destici will also travel to the TRNC.

“A DAY OF REBIRTH AND SALVATION FROM MASSACRE”

TRNC President Ersin Tatar explained the significance of the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation to 12punto. 

"We will celebrate with great enthusiasm" TRNC President Tatar began his remarks by describing the July 20 Peace Operation as a"salvation from massacre" and stated the following: 

"Our President Tayyip Erdoğan will be coming. In addition, party leaders, our veterans, and many of our commanders will all be here. We will celebrate our 50th anniversary with great enthusiasm as a nation. Once again, I pray for God's mercy upon all our martyrs and express our gratitude to our veterans. It is the birthday of the Turkish Cypriots. With the Cyprus Peace Operation, the Turkish Cypriots returned to life, were in a sense saved from massacre, and we are talking about a Turkish state that is the guarantor of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean with its own state, and which, together with the Republic of Turkey, protects our rights and interests in the Blue Homeland and our interests in the airspace. We owe all of this to the epic we wrote during the July 20 Cyprus Peace Operation. Once again, may it be auspicious and beneficial for our country and our nation. Here is to many more 50th anniversaries..." 

"FEDERATION IS THE END OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS"

When 12punto reminded TRNC President Ersin Tatar that all political leaders would be together and asked for his message to the politicians, he replied: gave the following response: 

"I ask all of our political leaders in Turkey, all of Turkey's opinion leaders, our former commanders, those who have contributed, and our current President, Mr. Erdoğan, to support our policy regarding Cyprus. Because trying to unite Cyprus under the umbrella of a federation, which has been worked on for more than 50 years in the past, meant the end for Cyprus. It meant Turkey's withdrawal from this region and from the Eastern Mediterranean. Because the first sentence in the federation text was zero troops and zero guarantees. In other words, since the North and South would be included in the European Union, Turkey would withdraw, its military would withdraw, its guarantee would end, and Turkey would withdraw from all its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and settle back into Anatolia. This means loneliness and the end for the Turkish Cypriots. Therefore, by not falling into the federation trap once again, we have long demanded a two-state model, just as they are talking about two states in Palestine today. Therefore, I sincerely ask all of Turkey to stand behind the two-state policy."      

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE ANNAN PLAN PROCESS

So, what was the "federation trap" that TRNC President Ersin Tatar drew attention to?  

For this, Annan Planit is necessary to remember. 

The Annan Plan was a United Nations proposal that suggested reuniting the island of Cyprus, which is divided into Turkish and Greek sectors, as an independent state. It took its name from former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who proposed the plan. 

The AKP, which came to power in November 2003, "strategic goal" declared the European Union (EU) and the first issue it discussed was Cyprus. 

The EU, for the start of negotiations with Turkey, demanded "the resolution of the Cyprus issue” had set as a condition. 

The AKP government, “No solution is not a solution... We will not be the side that walks away from the table...” with slogans, despite all the objections of the founding President of the TRNC, Rauf Denktaş, supported the Annan Plan.

A referendum regarding the Annan Plan was held 20 years ago, on April 24, 2004. 

Prior to that, then-Prime Minister Erdoğan stated that if the Greek Cypriots said "No", the EU and other Western countries would need to renew their policies regarding the TRNC and lift the embargo. 

With only days left until the referendum, the arguments between the late founding President of the TRNC, Rauf Denktaş, who was campaigning for a "No" vote, and Erdoğan intensified.

Erdoğan reacted to Denktaş explaining the Annan Plan in Turkey with the words, "Whatever you are going to explain, explain it in Cyprus" . Denktaş, in turn, said, "The Prime Minister has been deceived on the Cyprus issue"" he said.

A referendum was held, the TRNC said "Yes", and the Greek Cypriots said "No".

Erdoğan, "that Southern Cyprus lost" advocating, and regarding the process ahead "I believe that the isolation policies imposed on Turkish Cypriots by the international community until today have ended as of now" he said.

However, that did not happen.

Although the TRNC said "Yes," the European Union did not keep its promises... 

In TRNC politics, the events of the Annan Plan referendum highlighted the view that a solution based on a federal foundation is not possible.