Cyprus-Forum.com

[Viewpoint]

Had the Annan plan been endorsed by referendum a year ago, the following would have happened by now:

From day one – April 25 – at least 12 crossing points would have opened along all main roads crossing the Green Line.

Any Cypriot would have had the right to establish a second home anywhere in Cyprus – by renting or buying property on the same terms as any EU citizen – and could stay there as along as they liked.

Greek Cypriots in Yialoussa, Ayia Trias, Melanagra and Rizokarpasso and Turkish Cypriots in Ayios Georgoudi, Ayios Theodoros, Halevga, Mansoura and Selladi tou Appi would enjoy autonomy in culture, religion and education.

People who held citizenship in 1963 and their descendants and spouses as well as people on a list from each side with a maximum 45,000 names would be recognised as citizens of Cyprus. The number of Greek and Turkish nationals to be given permanent residence would not have exceeded 10 per cent of each indigenous ethnic group – about 70,000 Greeks and 15,000 Turks.

There would be no further immigration from Turkey until the number of Turkish residents fell to less than five pre cent of the Turkish Cypriot population – 7,500.

The Cyprus Pound would have been legal currency across the island; the Turkish Lira would could have stayed in use in the Turkish Cypriot state until last December.

May: More than half the British Sovereign Base Areas would have been handed over to the United Cyprus Republic – most of it going to the Greek Cypriot state.

June: There would have been elections for office holders at federal and constituent state level – federal chamber of deputies and senate, constituent state assembles and presidents.

July: The federal parliament would have assumed its functions. Parliament would have elected a presidential council of six Greek Cypriots, two non-voting and three Turkish Cypriots, one non-voting.

Aug: The Greek Cypriot state would have assumed full administration of Varosha, the buffer zone and Kokkina.

Oct: Greek Cypriot state would have assumed full administration of Achna, Petra, and Ayios Georgios in Lefka; 3,200 refugees and their descendants could have returned to their homes and get their properties back in these areas.

Jan 2005: 6,000 troops would have been withdrawn from Cyprus and 20 per cent of Greek and Turkish Cypriot troops disarmed and dissolved.

April: The UN would have assumed territorial responsibility for Tymbou, Pyroi, Loutros and Galini; 4,000 refugees and their descendants could have returned to their homes and got their properties back in these areas.



any comment from our neighbours???

[cannedmoose]

Shame it never happened, but we have to look forward, not back VP...

[Alexis]

Some good points well made there Viewpoint.
But remember there is always the other side of the coin.
What about all those people who would not have got their
properties back?
The UN take on this was that the plan could not satisfy every
individual's circumstances. Fair enough but the fact remains
that many of those GCs who voted no did so because the plan
would impact their chances of getting their property back
in a very real and tangible way. In the same way many who
voted yes did so because they would (e.g. some of those refugees
from Varosha).
I realise there is a danger here of getting into a protracted debate
regarding the pros and cons of the Anan Plan, this is not my intention
but I believe issues in Cyprus can be tackled by actively trying to
to address the concerns of the two communities.

[erolz]

Some good points well made there Viewpoint.

For info that article is a cut and paste of a Cyprus Mail article here

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.ph ... 4&cat_id=1

I am sure any impression given by VP that he wrote it was purely accidental

[metecyp]

I am sure any impression given by VP that he wrote it was purely accidental Wink

When I read the article thinking that it was VP who wrote it, I was surprised how much he knew about the plan and all the steps

[Viewpoint]

I apologise, if it seems as if it was my piece it was not my intention.

[BigDutch]

erolz is uber

[cannedmoose]

:-) When I read the article thinking that it was VP who wrote it, I was surprised how much he knew about the plan and all the steps

[MicAtCyp]

This list of what might have happened circulated before the referendum 100 times! The GCs were not stupid. Still however those English newspapers repeat it all he time. Who are they addressed to, I really wonder.

[MicAtCyp]

It's too bad the only 2 (?) English speaking newspapers in Cyprus write so marginal views. Cause they spread wrong impressions to foreigners living in Cyprus and of course to TC english speakers!