Supporters of New Turkish Cypriot Leader Celebrate

Dervis Eroglu, who supports Turkish Cypriot independence, claimed victory in northern Cyprus's presidential election on Sunday.             

In his first remarks as newly elected president Eroglu pledged that peace talks with Greek Cypriots will continue.             

[Dervis Eroglu, New President of Turkish Republic, Northern Cyprus]:
"As a person who knows what happened between south and north, between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, I can say that I want a solution more than those who are claiming that I am against a solution. Because it is I who have witnessed those days."

He hinted he will continue to promote a two-state approach to solving the Cyprus problem.  

[Dervis Eroglu, New President of Turkish Republic, Northern Cyprus]:     
"But what is important for me is how those parameters will be defined. I will strive to defend the rights of Turkish Cypriots and I will try to prevent their aggravation while defining those parameters."         

Eroglu, who wants more autonomy for each community in any peace settlement, rules out concessions key to Greek Cypriots in reunification talks.

The leader of the Democratic Party was among the first politicians celebrating Eroglu's victory.

[Serdar Denktas, Democratic Party Leader]:  
"We have supported Mr. Eroglu during the peace process because he is more sensitive about the sovereignty of our nation."

Turkish Cypriots celebrated Eroglu's election with joy.

Eroglu won more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a run-off and beat incumbent Mehmet Ali Talat, according to preliminary results.