Cypriots faced international calls this evening for a "Yes" vote on the eve of referendums to decide if the island enters the EU reunited, but a bitter pre- poll atmosphere harked back to decades of division and conflict.
The UN, which keeps 1,200 peacekeepers on the mined "Green Line" separating Greek and Turkish Cypriots, said it had contingency plans if violence flares in tomorrow's historic vote. Cyprus has cancelled police leave.
European Union enlargement commissioner Mr Guenter Verheugen said efforts to reunify Cyprus risk failing after 30 years of division because Greek Cypriots do not want to give up revenue from tourism.
"It would be almost as if the Germans had said 'no' to the German reunification in a referendum," the German diplomat said on German television, citing "very tangible economic interests" behind the Greek Cypriots' course.
Forecasts say the separate referendums on a UN peace plan will see a resounding "yes" from Turkish Cypriots in the north and an overwhelming "no" from Greek Cypriots in the south.
Nearly everyone expects the deal to fall through because of opposition from the wealthier Greek Cypriots to a power sharing plan they believe does not give them enough territory and guarantees about the withdrawal of Turkish troops.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat forecast a "high" yes vote that he said would show the world it was Greek Cypriots standing in the way of peace.