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Document Given By President Denktaž To The UN Secretary-General During Their Meeting In Geneva- 28 March 1998

 The starting point will be the acknowledgment of the existence of two sovereign and equal states.

·                     The inhuman embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people should be removed.

·                     The objective will be to establish a new relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation that will enable the two peoples to co-exist in peace and harmony.

·                     Settlement will be freely negotiated by the two states under the mission of good offices of the UN Secretary-General.

·                     A working relationship should be established between the two states which will enable them to resolve certain basic matters, specifically.

·                     the final settlement of reciprocal property claims,

·                     security issues

·                     delineation of borders

·                     This will bring about a new platform which will enable the two peoples and their respective states to co-exist peacefully without claims against one another.

·                     This will also create an environment in which the two sides can work out mutual cooperation and coordination on which a common future can be built.

·                     The Guarantee system of 1960 shall continue.

·                     EU membership of Cyprus will be entertained after a settlement and simultaneously with Turkey.

·                     The settlement will maintain the internal balance between the two peoples in the island and the external between Turkey and Greece in he Eastern Mediterranean.

TALKING POINTS

·                     I come to this meeting, Mr. Secretary-General, with the hope and expectation that we will benefit from your wisdom, creativity and vast experience to rethink the 35 year old Cyprus conflict.

·                     We firmly believe that the UN offers the best venue through which the Cyprus question can be most successfully handled. We are of the view that any resolution in Cyprus can only be based on the existing realities and the equal status of the two peoples.

·                     The time has come to recognize the fact that the Greek Cypriot administration does not have the legal and moral right to determine the future of the whole island and of the Turkish Cypriot people. It is, thus, necessary for the success of our efforts, to adopt a new approach to the Cyprus question which will reflect these facts.

·                     The lack of political parity and symmetry between the two sides in Cyprus is preventing progress. I wish to share with you, candidly, our assessment that the role of the UN in Cyprus, both in peacekeeping and the Secretary-General's good offices mission has, so far, unfortunately, helped and consolidated this political disparity and asymmetry. We believe that this new approach will greatly facilitate the UN efforts for a lasting settlement.

·                     The intervention of the European Union which was instigated by Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, reached a climax at the Luxembourg Summit held in December 1997, and introduced elements which diametrically contradict the parameters of the UN process, thus further complicating the already complex Cyprus conflict.

·                     Furthermore, the establishment of a unified military front between Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration including the opening of the Paphos airbase and the prospective deployment of sophisticated S-300 missiles, within the context of the so called Joint Military Doctrine, promise nothing but further crisis.

·                     In shaping our future, the basic requirement is realism. In view of the prevailing realities, the two states should work out an arrangement which would enable them to resolve, in the firs instance, the following three major issues in order to co-exist peacefully in the island and promote trust an cooperation between the two peoples:

·                     settlement of reciprocal property claims,

·                     security,

·                     delineation of borders.

·                     We have come to the conclusion that the acknowledgment of the existence of two fully functioning democratic states in the island, each with its own people, territory and effective government will open the way to the resolution of these three issues and the development of a new and cooperative relationship between the two states for the achievement of a final settlement. Furthermore, the inhuman embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people should be removed.

·                     I need to stress again that the present system of guarantees must continue and the final settlement must maintain the internal balance between the two peoples in the island and the external balance between Turkey and Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean.

·                     We are confident that the new platform will create a new environment in which the two sides can work towards a common future based on cooperation, mutual trust an respect.

·                     The primary aim should, therefore, be the immediate achievement of a working relationship between the two states so that peace, stability and mutual trust can be secured and the danger of a new conflict is averted. In my letter of 5 March 1998 to Mr. Clerides, I have not only stated the foregoing but have also invited him to make together, in good faith, a new beginning on the basis of these realities.

·                     Our firm belief is that, all concerned would have to adapt and realign their current position to help the process forward. In this connection, I hope you will agree that it is necessary to consider adjusting the role of UNFICYP and the good offices mission to the realities appertaining to Cyprus specially after the interventions of Greece and the European Union which have completely destroyed political parity and symmetry necessary for a solution of the conflict. This will enable us to make progress on the right track.

·                     We have taken up all these points with your Special Adviser Ambassador Diego Cordovez. I feel confident that before Your Excellency decides what action to take you will consider the foregoing in depth, in conjunction with the long suffering of my people because of the injustices and obstacles which have resulted in the continuing political disparity and asymmetry, and will make the most of this opportunity in order to urge the Greek Cypriot side to appreciate the need for a settlement, thus, enabling you to help us make progress.

·                     In conclusion, I would like to confirm that I am ready to work with Your Excellency for a Cyprus settlement and a peaceful future on the basis of these realities.