The written message of President Ersin Tatar on the 13th anniversary of the passing of Founding President of the TRNC, Rauf R. Denktaş
"The principles, legacy and vision of Denktaş illuminate our path of struggle”
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President Ersin Tatar issued a written message on the 13th anniversary of the passing of the Founding President, Rauf Raif Denktaş.
Paying tribute to the Founding President, President Tatar stated that “we shall never forget him, nor shall we allow his legacy to be forgotten. He will forever live in the hearts of the Turkish Cypriot people. This is our greatest and indispensable duty".
President Tatar stated: “We once again remember with great respect and gratitude our Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş, the leader of the independence of the Turkish Cypriot People, on the 13th anniversary of his passing into eternity.”
President Tatar added: “The sacred and epic struggle that you initiated together with your comrades in arms in leading our people with great determination and resolve during the darkest days of the Turkish Cypriot People constitutes our greatest source of strength and inspiration. Turkish Cypriots paid a great price in the course of this national struggle, and never took a step back even whilst sacrificing the lives of their loved ones and even their children, in the course of this struggle for freedom and independence. We are today living in our own homeland, under the roof of our own State, in freedom and security, as a sovereign people. Whilst we continue to forever preserve and strengthen the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus entrusted to us by our Founding President Denktaş, his principles and vision continue to illuminate our path and guide us in our struggle.
We shall eternally remain loyal to the sacred legacy of Founding President Denktaş, which he consistently pointed to and even enunciated in his last breath, when he stated: “Hold on to your State, your sovereignty and to Motherland Türkiye with both hands, and never abandon the Turkish army.”
This sacred will is the greatest source of inspiration and strength for our people and our struggle. We will always remember this and keep this vision alive.
We are today continuing our struggle with great resolve for peaceful coexistence, by putting forward a new position that we have determined together with Motherland Türkiye. We shall never abandon our State and our sovereignty.
It has become clear, following more than half-a-century of failed negotiations on the federal basis, that this model cannot produce a settlement to the Cyprus issue. Federal based negotiations have been exhausted. The only realistic and sustainable settlement that will benefit the Island of Cyprus and the region can only be on the existence of two separate States.
Furthermore, it should be reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot People will not be held captive by the Greek Cypriot Side at the negotiations table. Our sovereign equality and equal international status needs to be reaffirmed. The mentality of the Greek Cypriot Side is wanting to make Turkish Cypriot People a minority in Cyprus and for the Turkish army – which we see as the sole providers of our security and safety – to be removed from the Island.
These demands are completely unacceptable. As I commemorate Founding President Denktaş on the 13th anniversary of his passing, I would like to state once again that we shall never give up on our State, our sovereignty, freedom and on Motherland Türkiye.
As we continue to walk resolutely on the new and national path we have determined with Motherland Türkiye, we shall not allow the honour and dignity of the Turkish Cypriot people to be trampled upon. We shall not become slaves and a minority of the Greek Cypriot Side. The Turkish Cypriot People have inherent rights, and are not visitors in these lands.
I pay tribute to and remember with respect and affection our Founding President Denktaş once again with great gratitude and respect.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which you entrusted to us, will be protected, strengthened and kept alive forever. Our homeland and our people are grateful to you.
May our Founding President rest in eternal peace."