Last month saw North Cyprus and Turkey saying goodbye to one of the country’s most prominent and familiar figures Rauf Denktas. Mr Denktas died in Lefkoşa Near East University Hospital late Friday 13th January 2012 of multiple organ failure, and had been in poor health since suffering a stroke last May.

His dedication to the Cyprus cause made him a hero to many Turkish Cypriots.

Turkish President Abdullah Gül made a statement saying he is “deeply saddened” by Denktaş's death. He further continued; "The loss of Mr Denktas is not just that of the Turkish Cypriots but a loss for the Turkish people as a whole. Our people have lost a true hero,"

Born in Paphos on January 24^th 1924, Denktas, a London trained lawyer, had always been politically active, even at a young age. He had been exiled to Turkey during the pre-independence period and his activity in Turkish Cypriot politics had been continuous and he became a leading figure in the Turkish Cypriot community during the turbulent times of the 60s and 70s when friction between the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus came to a head and claimed hundreds of Cypriot lives. In 1968,as protégé of Vice President Dr Fazil Kucuk, Denktas became intercommunal negotiator and his political career continued with him becoming Vice President of the Republic at the time of 1974 crisis and then he was then elected President of the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus (TSFC) in 1975 and 1981. Denktas then became President of the "TRNC" in 1985 and was re-elected in that year and again in 1990. Denktaş’s preponderance of Turkish Cypriot politics was apparent when he won every presidential election between 1983 and 2000. Denktas took a step back from politics in 2005 after announcing that he would not be running for re-election, although he continued to be a very vocal supporter of his beliefs that the TRNC should be a separate state.

Denktas had three sons, two of which also passed away; one in an automobile accident and the other during a surgical process. His only surviving son also entered politics and was Prime Minister for a while. Denktas leaves behind his son Serdar, wife Aydin, two daughters and 11 grandchildren, and will be sorely missed by all.

Rauf Denktas 1924-2012