Denktash warns against entry of southern Cyprus to EU

(27 Nov 2001)
1. Various of Rauf Denktash, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, arriving
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rauf Denktash, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus:
"The process for E.U. membership (of Southern Cyprus) was going on as if there were no impediments in the way. I see the impediment in the way - we are not going to submit, the EU will be getting on its shoulders the Cyprus problem in a more exaggerated way, Turkey is not going to accept it, so E.U./ Turkish relations will be destroyed. In Cyprus new trouble will start and I said it is my duty to talk to Mr Clerides (Glafcos Clerides, President of Greek Cyprus) to explain to him and to tell him that we are ready for a new partnership but not for a Greek Cypriot unitary state. He has no right to apply to for E.U. membership."
3. Cutaway of hands
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rauf Denktash, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus:
"I know that a face to face, heart to heart talk is different - it's more useful, you can talk without minding yourself to anything, freely, without fear that you will be hurt or you will be caught. That is what I wanted in order to understand how far Mr Clerides is free to settle with us or whether he is a prisoner of his national council."
5. Cutaway hands
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rauf Denktash, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus:
(Replying to question about Turkish president's statement that Turkey will annex Northern Cyprus if Southern Cyprus enters E.U..) "Mr Anastasiades, a famous Greek Cypriot party leader, has said that Cyprus entry into the E.U. equals annexation with Greece. Now, if they can say this, if they are made to believe that this is so, and we also look upon it like that, what do you think any Turkish leader will say? If you are going to annex Cyprus through the E.U. in this way? Naturally Turkey has to do something about it. But this is the ultimate. There are degrees of reactions which can be done."
7. Denktash talking on the mobile
STORYLINE:
The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Rauf Denktash, strongly objected to the Mediterranean island becoming a member of the European Union (E.U.) on Tuesday.
Denktash is currently on a three-day visit to Italy, where he's holding informal meetings with Italian politicians.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised officially by Turkey, so none of Denktash's meetings in Italy are being held at an official level.
Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 following a short-lived coup by supporters of union with Greece.
The island has been split into a Greek Cypriot-controlled south and a Turkish-occupied north ever since.
Recently, President Denktash accepted restarting talks with the President of Greek Cyprus, Glafcos Clerides, in order to find a solution to the island's long-standing division.
One possible solution could be for Cyprus to reunite as a federation of two states.
Denktash hopes to stop Cyprus joining the E.U. before an agreement has been made about the island's future.
He and Clerides are scheduled to have their first meeting in four years on December 4 to find ways of reuniting the island.
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