Greek Cyprus offers respects to Denktaş
NICOSIA / UNITED NATIONS
Ban, offered his condolences to Denktaş’s family in a message yesterday. AA photo
Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said he called Turkish Cypriot leader Derviş Eroğlu to convey his condolences for the death of Rauf Denktaş, former president of Turkish Cyprus.Christofias said he would also contact Denktaş’s son, Serdar Denktaş. “Denktaş was steadfast to his vision for partition,” Christofias said. “We can’t agree naturally with Rauf Denktaş’s vision, that’s reality, but it would be wrong at this time to make generalizations and accuse Denktaş.”
The United States, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu also offered their condolences for the death of Rauf Denktaş.
The United States expresses its condolences to the Denktaş family and the Turkish Cypriot community for the loss of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktaş, according to a message released by the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia’s northern side.
Ban’s spokesperson’s office said, “The secretary-general was saddened to learn of the passing of Rauf Denktaş late Friday. Mr. Denktaş was a long-serving and historic Turkish Cypriot leader with whom the United Nations had a long relationship in the framework of U.N.-facilitated talks for the reunification of Cyprus and related to its peacekeeping responsibilities on the island.
“The secretary-general expresses his condolences to the family of the late Mr. Denktaş as well as to all Turkish Cypriots,” said the message.
The Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General İhsanoğlu offered condolences as well. In his statement, İhsanoğlu described President Denktaş as a historic leader and unforgettable hero of the Islamic and Turkish world and underlined that in his struggle for peace and stability for his country, President Denktaş had been a role model for many politicians, particularly due to his wise and intelligent approach as well as integrity.
The OIC secretary-general will attend Denktaş’s funeral in Turkish Cyprus on Jan.17.
