Turkish FM signs condolence notebook for Denktas

ANKARA (A.A) - January 19, 2012 - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu signed the condolence notebook for the late former Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas at TRNC's embassy in Turkish capital of Ankara. Davutoglu wrote in the condolence book that he and all personnel of the Foreign Ministry were deeply sad over death of a great statesman Denktas who worked for Turkish Cypriot people and for the national cause in his whole life. Denktas gave a democratic state based on contemporary values and rule of law to Turkish Cypriot people, Davutoglu said. Denktas had a partial paralysis caused by an embolism on May 24, 2011. After his first surgery in Lefkosa, he underwent another operation at Ankara's GATA on August 25. Rauf Denktas was taken to TRNC on August 30, and his treatment continued at the Near East University Hospital. He underwent another surgery at the hospital on September 5 due to an increasing cerebral hemorrhage. Denktas was hospitalized again on January 8 after experiencing diarrhea and asthenia. He died at the age of 88 on January 13.