The Founder President of TRNC Rauf Denktas:
" If you acquire new ideas and new perspectives each time you speak to a leader, there you have a true leader."

The Founder President of TRNC Rauf Denktas started his speech by giving examples of leaders from the recent history of Turkey.  Denktas stated that he did not consider himself a leader but he has always taken the Great Leader Atatürk as his role model. After emphasizing the importance of coming from a nation with a leader like Atatürk, he went on to say that the younger generations in Turkey could learn very important lessons by reading Atatürk’s The Speech, examining the events he encountered and the kind of decisions he took in critical moments. Denktas stated that “Atatürk was a man of faith and he loved his nation. When he said ‘independence is my character’ he meant that a dependent person could not really be happy and proud. In his statement ‘peace at home, peace in the world’ peace implies independence not surrender. What Atatürk had was a determined spirit not an adventurous one. He had a vision, a goal. The independent Turkey has developed according to these principles”.

In his speech, Rauf Denktas denoted the concepts important in leadership as being determination, vision and faith. He added that a leader had to be patient and pointed out Atatürk and Ismet Inönü as examples. He emphasized Atatürk’s determination with the following words: “Atatürk had great patience. He did what he believed in despite all criticisms. As he said ‘You will do and succeed; they will honor you, you will not care but go on’.”

The Founder President of TRNC Rauf Denktas told that during the most difficult days in Cyprus Ismet Inönü demanded patience from those who sought help from him. He reminded the audience of Ismet Inönü’s words: “Your are of Turkish blood. You have to show patience in defense of homeland”.

Rauf Denktas stated the most important characteristics of a true leader with the following words: “If you acquire new ideas and new perspectives each time you speak to a leader, there you have a true leader.”

Denktas continued his speech by posing the question: “Is one born a leader or becomes one as a result of circumstances?” He answered that “The most important thing is the personality. It is important to have faith first in God and then in oneself in addition to being efficient in one’s occupation. The rest depends on the natural course of events. You will first believe in yourself and make others believe in you. You will set out for a goal that you will make others believe in not your benefit.”

After citing the qualifications of a leader, Denktas shared his experience about Cyprus briefly with the audience: In relation to 1974 military operation, he said that “‘My friends had lost all their hopes in Turkey’ and in those difficult days they said ‘let there be an agreement no matter what’. The Greek Cypriots began to play ‘bekledim de gelmedim’ [a well-known classical Turkish song, meaning ‘I waited but you did not arrive’] from their side of the island. But we were patient. After the Turkish intervention in 1974 we began to play ‘bir gece ansizin gelebilirim’ [another well-known classical Turkish song, meaning ‘I may arrive unexpectedly one night’] for them.”

Denktas mentioned that “One of the most frequently asked questions to me is the self-sacrifices I had to make in this cause. My greatest self-sacrifice was not being able to see my children grow up, not being able to spend time with them and not being able to be with them when they needed me. However, true leaders have to sacrifice their lives and the lives of those they love for their causes. My only consolation has been saving them from living in enslavement after my struggle”.

In the final part of his speech Rauf Denktas addressed the Cyprus question: “Peace and union is desired for Cyprus although the Greek Cypriots does not agree. However, the only national solution can be two equal democratic countries. Turkey is the guarantor. As a result of any other solution, Cyprus will be dissociated from Turkey and Turkey’s gates to the seas will be closed.”