CYPRUS: The international community has reacted with sharp criticism to the overwhelming Greek Cypriot rejection of the UN plan for the reunification of Cyprus. Michael Jansen reports from Nicosia
In Saturday's simultaneous referenda the Greek Cypriots, who were expected to turn down the plan, surprised observers with a stunning 76 per cent "Oxi", or no, vote while the Turkish Cypriots won praise for a 64 per cent "Evet", or yes, vote.
The EU was quick to pledge a reward to Turkish Cypriots for endorsing the UN plan with European foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg today set to lift the economic embargo of the Turkish Cypriots, approve a €260 million aid package for the north, and allow tariff-free entry of fruit and vegetables into the EU. Mr Günter Verheugen, the EU's expansion commissioner, said after Saturday's vote: "What we will seriously consider now is finding a way to end the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots."
Warned by Mr Verheugen that they would now enter the EU under a "shadow", Greek Cypriot President, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos who opposed the plan said the Cyprus Foreign Minister, Mr George Iacovou, attending the meeting in Luxembourg, would be "announcing measures that will enable the Turkish Cypriots to enjoy as much as possible the benefit of their country's accession to the European Union". He added: "We would like to show the EU that we would like to take the initiative [to promote] the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots in order to bring them closer to the EU."
He warned that measures to help the Turkish Cypriots must be arranged so that there is "no recognition" of the breakaway state. He had no objection to governments and international organisations lifting the embargo imposed on northern Cyprus after Turkey occupied the area in 1974. While Cyprus may join the EU under a cloud, Mr Papadopoulos said that "vindictiveness" should not govern international relations.
Those involved in the formation of the plan were clearly disappointed at its rejection. The UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, whose name was given to the 9,000 page comprehensive plan for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, admitted that the goal of achieving reunification ahead of Cyprus's entry to the European Union on May 1st "has not been achieved", and said: "A unique and historic chance to resolve the Cyprus problem has been missed."
Mr Annan said he "intends to give careful thought to the implications of [the] result" and hoped the Greek Cypriots would reflect on their view of the plan which he insisted "represents a fair, viable and carefully balanced compromise". His envoy, Mr Alvaro de Soto, who handled the negotiations, admitted that the timeframe of three weeks for proper consideration of the final package was "considerably less than was desirable".
The European Commission said: "A unique opportunity to bring about a solution to the long-lasting Cyprus issue has been missed." The US State Department spokesman, Mr Richard Boucher, expressed Washington's disappointment with Greek Cypriots' rejection and commended the Turkish Cypriots "for their courage".
The Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a strong supporter of the plan, said: "I believe the political isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people has come to an end."
The Greek government spokesman said it was in the interests of the EU to "continue efforts to reconcile the Greek and Turkish Cypriots".
Mr Papadopoulos said only the UN Security Council, which will decide the fate of the Annan plan, can decide whether to "continue or discontinue" efforts to reach a settlement. He repeatedly said that Greek Cypriots do not reject reunification but "this particular plan" as it stands.
Divided Cyprus poses a number of problems for the EU. On May 1st the whole of the island becomes a member but the north will be considered territory outside the jurisdiction of the legitimate government. Turkey's 35-40,000 troops based there therefore become a major obstacle to its EU accession process. Turkish Cypriots who hold Cyprus passports and identity papers will be citizens of the EU and entitled to the same rights and benefits accorded to Greek Cypriots, but realisation could be limited by EU rules and regulations.