A great loss for Turkish world, says President Gül

NICOSIA - Anatolia News Agency

Aydın Denktaş, the spouse of Rauf Denktaş, embraces Gül as he offers his condolences. AA photo

The death of former Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktaş was a great loss for the whole Turkish world, Turkish President Abdullah Gül said while signing the condolence notebook for Denktaş yesterday in Nicosia. 

“Motherland Turkey shares the deep pain of its Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters over Denktaş’s loss. Rauf Denktaş and his colleagues earned the hearts of the Turkish nation with their struggle in Cyprus,” Gül wrote in the notebook. “The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [TRNC] will always find Motherland Turkey on its side in this honorable struggle,” Gül went on to say. 

Aydın Denktaş, the spouse of the late former president, also received the sympathy of Turkish top officials in Nicosia yesterday. In addition to Gül, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Özel offered their condolences. 

“The passing of Denktaş is a great loss not only for the people of the TRNC but for Turkey as well. The struggle that was initiated by the late Denktaş will be embraced by the citizens of both the TRNC and the Turkish Republic, and will continue,” Erdoğan wrote in the condolence notebook. “The Republic of Turkey will continue to support the rightful struggle of the Turkish Cypriots, defend the TRNC’s laws with all its power, and will continue to be the source of peace and freedom in the island,” Erdoğan also added. 

Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek wrote that the struggle made in the national cause would continue in harmony with Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters. Kılıçdaroğlu wrote that “we revere today with respect.” Özel wrote that the Turkish Armed Forces will continue to help the TRNC, and “[Denktaş’s] dear memory” will live on forever.