Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

Today is the fifth anniversary of the day when the UN Peace Plan, or as it was known the Annan Plan, was put to referenda on both sides of the island.

The Turkish Cypriot people overwhelmingly backed the Plan – which was also supported by the whole international community, but the Greek Cypriots rejected it blocking the way of a solution in Cyprus.

The international community has failed to honor the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriot People in spite of their strong backing to the Annan Plan.

In a statement marking the anniversary, the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces said that the Turkish Cypriot People had taken an
important step by voting in favour of the UN Peace Plan.

The CTP-BG General secretary Omer Kalyoncu said `the meaning of this step is being understood more day-by-day`.

Mr Kalyoncu told BRT newsroom that the Turkish Cypriot People would have been living in very bad conditions, had they failed to give a strong YES to the Plan.

He said that there were good relations between the Turkish Cypriots and the EU, adding that the YES vote also strengthened Turkey’s position as a candidate member of the Union.

The National Unity Party General Secretary Nazim Cavusoglu, for his part, told BRT that the EU had affected the result of the referendum by making promises, far from realities.

Stressing that the UBP has been respecting the result of the election as from the first day, he said the party would work towards preventing the issuing of similar statements that could shape the Turkish Cypriot people’s choice prior to a new possible referendum in Cyprus.

`It is everyone’s responsibility to make it possible for the people to cast their votes by taking the content of a new agreement into account` he said.

The Democrat Party General Secretary Ertugrul Hasipoglu, for his part, said that the referendum had proved the existence of two peoples on the island.

He noted that the Turkish Cypriot people had proved once again that it was in support of a settlement.

The former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan presented the plan to the two sides on the 11th of November 2002 and it was put to referenda on both sides of the island simultaneously on the 24th of April at the end of lenghty negotiations between the sides.

64.91% of the Turkish Cypriots backed the Plan with the hope of bringing a solution to the decades long Cyprus problem but 75.83% of the Greek Cypriots said `NO` to the plan, blocking the way of a settlement.

[Kikapu]

Today is the fifth anniversary of the day when the UN Peace Plan, or as it was known the Annan Plan, was put to referenda on both sides of the island.

The Turkish Cypriot people overwhelmingly backed the Plan – which was also supported by the whole international community, but the Greek Cypriots rejected it blocking the way of a solution in Cyprus.

The international community has failed to honor the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriot People in spite of their strong backing to the Annan Plan.

In a statement marking the anniversary, the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces said that the Turkish Cypriot People had taken an
important step by voting in favour of the UN Peace Plan.

The CTP-BG General secretary Omer Kalyoncu said `the meaning of this step is being understood more day-by-day`.

Mr Kalyoncu told BRT newsroom that the Turkish Cypriot People would have been living in very bad conditions, had they failed to give a strong YES to the Plan.

He said that there were good relations between the Turkish Cypriots and the EU, adding that the YES vote also strengthened Turkey’s position as a candidate member of the Union.

The National Unity Party General Secretary Nazim Cavusoglu, for his part, told BRT that the EU had affected the result of the referendum by making promises, far from realities.

Stressing that the UBP has been respecting the result of the election as from the first day, he said the party would work towards preventing the issuing of similar statements that could shape the Turkish Cypriot people’s choice prior to a new possible referendum in Cyprus.

`It is everyone’s responsibility to make it possible for the people to cast their votes by taking the content of a new agreement into account` he said.

The Democrat Party General Secretary Ertugrul Hasipoglu, for his part, said that the referendum had proved the existence of two peoples on the island.

He noted that the Turkish Cypriot people had proved once again that it was in support of a settlement.

The former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan presented the plan to the two sides on the 11th of November 2002 and it was put to referenda on both sides of the island simultaneously on the 24th of April at the end of lenghty negotiations between the sides.

64.91% of the Turkish Cypriots backed the Plan with the hope of bringing a solution to the decades long Cyprus problem but 75.83% of the Greek Cypriots said `NO` to the plan, blocking the way of a settlement.

The above statements are a joke to say the least, but in reality, you can see how much the NeoPartitionist cherished the Annan Plan, to a point holding a "Anniversary remembrance" to it. Not because it was going to bring peace to the island, but on how they were going to take a large PIECE of it and create more problems. These people have no shame when they display their hate for Cyprus.

This is from "Division of Cyprus" by Perry Anderson which sums up the crap Halil posted above.

"When votes were counted, the results said everything: 65 per cent of Turkish Cypriots accepted it, 76 per cent of Greek Cypriots rejected it. What political scientist, without needing to know anything about the plan, could for an instant doubt whom it favoured?"

http://www.lrb.co.uk/v30/n08/ande01_.html

[boomerang]

Time for a re-cap...for the bayarak boy...

Reasons for the approval of the Annan Plan Turkish Cypriot view

* Reunification was desired for economic reasons.
* Many Turkish Cypriots no longer perceived the Greek Cypriots as a threat, especially in the light of the strictly bi-zonal proposition of the Annan plan.
* Turkish Cypriots would receive considerable constitutional power in the United Cyprus Republic that the Annan plan proposed, over-proportional to their percentage of the population.
* The Turkish Cypriot component state would still, even after territorial cessation of some areas to the Greek Cypriot component state, make up 28.5 percent of the total area of Cyprus, including large economically important areas that where inhabitated exclusively by Greek Cypriots prior to the division of Cyprus in 1975.
* The right of return of Greek Cypriots to their homes in the areas coming under the control of the Turkish Cypriot component state would be strictly limited if not, insome cases, forbidden, thus the possibility of Turkish Cypriots becoming a minority in their respective component state would not exist.
* The guarantor powers to the constitution of Cyprus would retain their powers as such, thus Turkey would still have the arguable right to intervene in Cypriot affairs, most definitely on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots.

Reasons for the rejection of the Annan Plan Greek Cypriot Point of view

* The Ethnic groups in Cyprus are Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% of the population. (2001) The Annan plan equates the representation of the two major ethnic groups in the to be Senate and in the Supreme Court giving 50-50 representation to the two communities. The majority becomes minority in important decision centers.
* The plan created a confederation even though it utilized the term "federation" because there was no hierarchy of laws, while central authority emanated from the so-called component states. Note that the United States abandoned its original confederal structure because it was unworkable. In 1783, a federal constitution was established containing a clear federal supremacy clause. The Supreme Court composed of equal numbers of Greek Cypriot (77% of population) and Turkish Cypriot (18% of population) judges, plus three foreign judges; thus foreign actors would cast deciding votes.
* The Plan did not include a settlement regarding the repatriation of Turkish settlers living on Greek Cypriot owned land in the 'Northern Cyprus', while after 19 years, the possibility of abolishing the derogation of 5% of Greeks and Turkish citizens who could settle in Cyprus, is obvious, and the danger of a permanent mass settling of Cyprus by Turkey is visible.
* Nearly all the Turkish settlers would be granted citizenship or residence rights leading to citizenship. The central government would have limited control towards future Turkish Immigration. Those settlers opting to return to Turkey would be compensated by Cyprus and Greek Cypriots. Even though Turkey systematically brought in the settlers to alter the demography of the island, it had no responsibility for their Repatriation.
* The Plan simply disregarded the plain language and clear meaning of the Geneva Convention of 1949, section III, article 49, which prohibits colonization by an occupying power. Article 49 states in its last paragraph: "The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies."
* The Plan did not deal in full with the demilitarisation of the illegal 'TRNC', and Greek Cypriots felt they had no reason to believe Turkish promises concerning the withdrawal of troops.
* Cyprus would be excluded from the European Common Defense and Foreign Policy, while Turkish troops would remain in Cyprus even after the accession of Turkey to the EU with intervention rights (a military invasion - occasionally used euphemistically) in the Greek Cypriot component state.
* Many Greek Cypriots interpreted the Right of Return policy as to be seriously flawed, meaning only 20% of Greek Cypriot refugees would be able to return over a time frame of 25 years, whereas Turkish Cypriots would have had full right of return.The plan denied to all Cypriots rights enjoyed by all other EU citizens (right of free movement and residence, the right to apply to work in any position (including national civil services, the right to vote).
* Turkish Cypriots would have gained all the basic demands it made, from the first day of the implementation of the solution. To be exact, 24 hours after the holding of the referendum. In contrast, everything that the Greek Cypriots were aspiring to achieve, would have postponed without guarantees and depend upon the good will of Turkey to fulfil the obligations it undertakes. They are also subject to the precondition that all would have gone well.
* The return of the Turkish occupied land will take place in the period between three and a half months and three and a half years from the moment the solution is signed with no guarantees whatsoever that this shall be implemented. The Cypriot-Greek proposal of placing these areas under the control of the UN Peace Keeping Force and not the Turkish army has been rejected.
* The Plan did not address the issue of the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on the island, although parts of the SBAs would be transferred to the governments of the two consituent states.
* The British were granted rights to unilaterally define the continental shelf and territorial waters along two base areas and to claim potential mineral rights. Under the 1959-1960 London Zurich agreements, Britain did not have such rights (see the 2nd annex to the Additional Protocol to the 1959 Treaty of Establishment).
* The plan absolved Turkey of all responsibility for its invasion of Cyprus and its murders, rapes, destruction of property and churches and looting and forcing approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes and property. The Cyprus government filed applications to the European Commission on Human Rights on September 17, 1974 and on March 21, 1975. The Commission issued its report on the charges made in the two applications on July 10, 1976. In it the Commission found Turkey guilty of violating the following articles of the European Convention on Human Rights:

1.. Article 2 - by the killing of innocent civilians committed on a substantial scale;

2.. Article 3 - by the rape of women of all ages from 12 to 71;

3.. Article 3 - by inhuman treatment of prisoners and persons detained;

4.. Article 5 - by deprivation of liberty with regard to detainees and missing persons - a continuing violation;

5.. Article 8 - by displacement of persons creating more than 180,000 Greek Cypriot refugees,and be refusing to allow the refugees to return to their homes.

* The plan failed to provide payment by Turkey:

1.. for the lives of innocent civilians killed by the Turkish army;

2.. for the victims of rape by the Turkish army;

3.. for the vast destruction of property and churches by the Turkish army; and

4.. for the substantial looting by the Turkish army.

* The Plan subverted the property rights of the Greek Cypriots and other legal owners of property in the occupied area:

•by prohibiting recourse to European courts on property issues;

•by withdrawing all pending cases at the European Court of Human Rights and transferring them to local courts;

•by allowing Turkish Cypriots and illegal mainland Turk settlers/colonists to keep Greek Cypriot homes and property they were illegally given following Turkey's invasion of Cyprus and not having to reimburse the rightful owners of the property for 30 years of illegal use;

•by a highly complicated, ambiguous and uncertain regime for resolving property issues and which is based on the principle that real property owners can ultimately be forced to give up their property rights which would violate the European Convention on Human Rights and international law. The Greek Cypriot property owners would have to be reimbursed by the to be federal treasury which would be funded overwhelmingly by the Greek Cypriots, meaning that Greek Cypriots would be reimbursing themselves.

* The Plan would have the effect of protecting those British citizens who illegally bought Greek Cypriot property from settlers or persons who are not owners; in the occupied north of Cyprus. They would, in effect, not be held responsible for their illegal action.
* The cost of economic reunification would be borne by the Greek Cypriots. The reunification cost has been estimated close to $20b
* Following Annan 5 plan the Greek Cypriots would not have been allowed to make up more than 6% of the population in any single village in the Turkish controlled areas in the north thus they would have been prevented from setting up their own schools for their children and would not have even been able to give birth once this quota was reached.

According to UN 260 resolution Genocide is: (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

* The agreement places time restrictions in the right of free, permanent installation of Greek Cypriots back to their homes and properties in the to be Turkish Cypriot state, which constitutes a deviation from the European Union practices. Those Greek Cypriot refugees that would return to their homes in regions under Turkish Cypriot administration would have no local civil rights, because the political representatives of Turkish Cypriot state would be elected only from Turkish Cypriots.
* The functional weaknesses of the Plan endanger, inter alia, the smooth activity and participation of Cyprus, with one voice, in the European Union. While the Greek Cypriots have with many sacrifices achieved Cyprus accession to the European Union, the Greek Cypriots could very easily be led to the neutralization of the accession until the adoption of all necessary federal and regional legal measures or the loss of the benefits of the accession or the facing of obstacles in Cyprus participation in the Economic and Monetary Union and other European institutions.
* The Economy of Cyprus would have been separate with the plan. There will be no common Monetary policy, fiscal policy and no investments by Greek Cypriot businesses shall be allowed in the Turkish Cypriot constituent state.

And this not mentioning what the Brits will get out of it...

[bill cobbett]

Nice one Boomers. Always worth reading that again.

Halil - What promises are you talking about? What were they? Who made them? What conditions were attached?

[halil]

Cyprus papers divided over Annan plan
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2453449.stm

The independent, Greek-language Nicosia Politis quotes Greek politicians as saying "that the Cyprus solution can be accepted only if it leads to a confederal state with one sovereignty, one nationality, one international personality".

Filelevtheros, a Greek independent daily, says "the Annan plan contains both positive and negative points... With the submission of the plan yesterday the governments of the United States and Britain started putting pressure for its acceptance."

The paper's editorial says "we have nothing to fear from the plan for a Cyprus solution, a plan we should face on the basis of a strategy and not emotionally."

The English-language independent Cyprus Mail says "one thing is certain about the Cyprus plan", and that is that neither side "will get what it wants."

The paper notes that "nobody, apart from the small clique of hard-line morning radio show guests, could have expected a document cut to the measures of the Greek Cypriot side."

Alithia, a rightist Greek daily, says that the plan is "a historic development".

Its editorial refers approvingly to the plan to hold a referendum, saying: "The last say for the acceptance or rejection of the result of the negotiations belongs to the people of Cyprus".

Nightmare solution

But I Simerini, a Greek-language, right-of-centre paper, calls the Annan proposal a "nightmarish solution plan".
"Athens and Nicosia will find themselves before nightmarish dilemmas next month... These dilemmas concern the fate of the Republic of Cyprus, the viability of the solution, and the legislation of the faits accomplis of the invasion," it says.

"The die has been cast... the fate of Cyprus is now in the balance."


''this a UN plan or a Greek Cypriot plan?'' Volkan newspaper


Territorial concessions

The Turkish Cypriot newspaper Nicosia Kibris quotes Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas saying that the plan could result in an agreement, if bargaining is allowed.

The Nicosia Volkannotes that the plan calls for a considerable territorial concessions.

The paper publishes a map on its front page, and says the proposal provides for the evacuation of some 80 Turkish villages.

A columnist in the same paper asks "Is this a UN plan or a Greek Cypriot plan?"

Nicosia Afrika, a protest name assumed by former centre-left opposition paper Avrupa, is critical of Denktas' administration and Turkey.

It carries the headline "Plan is new, Denktas is old."

The paper argues that Denktas' initial reaction has been negative, sending the message that Cyprus' EU membership should be put on hold.

The paper says it wants Cyprus to join the EU soon, as a united island.

[halil]

April 29, 2004

CYPRUS: GREEK CYPRIOT REJECTION OF ANNAN PLAN DISAPPOINTS



KEY FINDINGS



** Greek Cypriot papers say the people's verdict "must be respected" but fret over EU reaction.

** Turkish Cypriot writers see the beginning of a "new period in Cyprus."

** Europeans vent "bitter disappointment and reproach" over the "Cyprus fiasco."



MAJOR THEMES



The Annan Plan is 'dead'-- Greek Cypriot papers were split about their community's rejection of UN Secretary General Annan's plan for reunification of the island in last week's referendum. Nationalist papers stated that "Cyprus has said 'No' to suicide" while defending universal "rights and values." Hard-line, pro-Democratic Rally Party I Makhi declared "no one has the right to ignore the verdict of the sovereign people" and that it was time to "chart a new strategy" not based on the Annan plan. Influential, top-circulation, Fileleftheros focused on "next steps" being taken with "an open prospect" towards a settlement. Some dailies were downbeat, arguing the result had led Greek Cypriots to "international isolation." The English-language Sunday Mail labeled the result "a Pyrrhic victory" and worried about foreign reaction; Alithia agreed, asserting the Greek community now "must focus on minimizing the consequences."



'We have entered a new phase'-- Some Turkish Cypriot papers said the vote had made it clear that "Greek Cypriots will not agree to share anything." A columnist remarked in right-wing nationalist Halkin Sesi that he hoped "the world has now realized why the Cyprus problem has so far remained unsolved." Commentators called the vote "an important milestone" and concluded that after the poll, "nothing can be the same." Top-circulation, independent Kibris interpreted the vote to show that the community had "had enough" of Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash, declaring that new Turkish community leaders are "quickly achieving" what he "failed to accomplish during the past 40 years." Papers contended that "the EU and the U.S. are preparing to take important steps in favor" of the Turkish Cypriots in recognition of their positive vote. Analysts looked forward to the end of "isolation" and the prospect of economic growth.



A 'sad day' and a 'disappointment'-- Greek dailies maintained the way to a Cyprus solution "must remain open" and called for a strategy that would "minimize the negative consequences" of the vote but "maximize the chances" for a solution. Dailies in Turkey saw "benefits gained" for Turkish Cypriots but cautioned against expecting "immediate results." Conservative, mass-appeal Turkiye reasoned that Turkey itself had gained in its quest for EU membership, since now "there is no way the EU can place Turkey on the irreconcilable side" of the issue. Other European writers lamented the "missed opportunity," some going so far as to label the Greek Cypriots "the spoilsports of the EU." A conservative British broadsheet termed the rejection of the plan "mean-spirited," voicing a common complaint that it was also "wholly predictable"; once the EU decided it would admit the southern side of Cyprus regardless of the vote's outcome "it took away any incentive" from Greek Cypriots to compromise. Other observers predicted EU aid would begin to flow into the northern side of the island and that Turkey's PM Erdogan "will use the vote for achieving his European goals."



EDITOR: Steven Wangsness



EDITOR'S NOTE: Media Reaction reporting conveys the spectrum of foreign press sentiment. Posts select commentary to provide a representative picture of local editorial opinion. This report summarizes and interprets foreign editorial opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government. This analysis was based on 50 reports from 14 countries April 25-28, 2004. Editorial excerpts from each country are listed from the most recent date.

[halil]

EUROPE



CYPRUS: "For The First Time"



Most influential, top-circulation, independent Turkish-language Kibris commented (4/27): "There had been many important milestones in search of a solution in Cyprus. The T/C side had lost all of them in the past. For the first time, we became the side that won, on April 24. We went through a process that Rauf Denktas was not influential in and we were successful. The G/Cs had looked for Denktas in vain at the negotiating table. The T/Cs did not just approve of the Annan Plan with their 'yes' vote on April 24, but they also threw the bridges with the father and son Denktas's and Eroglu."



"Brussels-Ankara Summit And Final Strike From USA"



Most influential, top-circulation, independent Turkish-language Kibris commented (4/27): "The EU and the U.S. are preparing to take important steps in favor of T/Cs. The Europeans and Americans who have earlier said that they would not leave the T/Cs out in the cold are busy with formalizing their methods. Günter Verheugen stated yesterday that they will establish direct cooperation with northern Cyprus. Talat is touring Brussels to lift embargoes. Talat will then go to Ankara to plan the steps that the Turkish side will make. The Turkish side plans to implement the property regime of the Annan Plan unilaterally as the G/C side will try to sue Turkey with cases like Loizidou after May 1. the Turkish side, by implementing the property regime of the plan will be in a position to say 'here you can take your property'. And the final strike will come from the U.S. When all of the above steps are announced, Talat will be officially invited to Washington. Remember the international statements made that the G/C side made a 'no' campaign and would pay the price. This price will be the final strike against Papadopoulos."



"New Period In Cyprus"



Right-wing, nationalistic Turkish-language Halkin Sesi opined (4/26): "Nothing can be the same after the referenda. We have entered a new phase where the world will understand us better, where we can get rid of isolation and where we can catch economic growth. First, we must make a good assessment of what we said 'yes' to and what the G/Cs had rejected. The T/Cs said 'yes' to a bi-zonal federation. Therefore we must build on our political initiatives on this theme. The G/Cs said, 'no' to a bi-zonal and bicommunal federation. Because the model in the minds of G/Cs was majority of G/Cs and minority of T/Cs. We have also seen that if there was to be a single referendum, the final result, despite the 65% yes of T/Cs would have been negative with the majority of G/Cs votes. We have to show to the world and prove them that this is not acceptable. The T/C voters made the best decision ever and we must use this golden opportunity in the best way possible for the good of our people. This period should not be spent with internal fights or politics."



"The Outcome Should Be Respected"



Influential, top-circulation, Fileleftheros editorialized (4/25): "Attention is already focused on the next steps. The outcome of yesterday's referenda is the basis of which we should face the next day. We should handle it with the least possible consequences and with an open prospect for a Cyprus settlement. The UN Secretary General has put forward five plans since the beginning of his efforts that goes back to 2000.... The Secretary General defined a process on February 13 in New York that had a beginning and an ending. With the consent of all parties involved, he offered the possibility for negotiations. However, this did not happen either in Nicosia or Lucerne. He then asked and secured the right to arbitrate, which he exercised in Lucerne, and even though no agreement was reached on the basis of his plan, he sent it to separate referenda. The citizens judged the Annan Plan in the referenda.... This was the Secretary General's objective. The decision of the people should be respected. No one can retaliate against the outcome. People cannot be punished for their decision. Since they decided to send the plan to the citizens to judge it, they should accept the outcome and reflect on it. The outcome of the referenda should also be accepted internally. Besides, there are no losers and no winners."

[Kikapu]

Cyprus papers divided over Annan plan
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2453449.stm

The independent, Greek-language Nicosia Politis quotes Greek politicians as saying "that the Cyprus solution can be accepted only if it leads to a confederal state with one sovereignty, one nationality, one international personality".

Filelevtheros, a Greek independent daily, says "the Annan plan contains both positive and negative points... With the submission of the plan yesterday the governments of the United States and Britain started putting pressure for its acceptance."

The paper's editorial says "we have nothing to fear from the plan for a Cyprus solution, a plan we should face on the basis of a strategy and not emotionally."

The English-language independent Cyprus Mail says "one thing is certain about the Cyprus plan", and that is that neither side "will get what it wants."

The paper notes that "nobody, apart from the small clique of hard-line morning radio show guests, could have expected a document cut to the measures of the Greek Cypriot side."

Alithia, a rightist Greek daily, says that the plan is "a historic development".

Its editorial refers approvingly to the plan to hold a referendum, saying: "The last say for the acceptance or rejection of the result of the negotiations belongs to the people of Cyprus".

Nightmare solution

But I Simerini, a Greek-language, right-of-centre paper, calls the Annan proposal a "nightmarish solution plan".
"Athens and Nicosia will find themselves before nightmarish dilemmas next month... These dilemmas concern the fate of the Republic of Cyprus, the viability of the solution, and the legislation of the faits accomplis of the invasion," it says.

"The die has been cast... the fate of Cyprus is now in the balance."


''this a UN plan or a Greek Cypriot plan?'' Volkan newspaper


Territorial concessions

The Turkish Cypriot newspaper Nicosia Kibris quotes Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas saying that the plan could result in an agreement, if bargaining is allowed.

The Nicosia Volkannotes that the plan calls for a considerable territorial concessions.

The paper publishes a map on its front page, and says the proposal provides for the evacuation of some 80 Turkish villages.

A columnist in the same paper asks "Is this a UN plan or a Greek Cypriot plan?"

Nicosia Afrika, a protest name assumed by former centre-left opposition paper Avrupa, is critical of Denktas' administration and Turkey.

It carries the headline "Plan is new, Denktas is old."

The paper argues that Denktas' initial reaction has been negative, sending the message that Cyprus' EU membership should be put on hold.

The paper says it wants Cyprus to join the EU soon, as a united island.

What's the matter Halil, can't you find anything more recent to post, like what Hillary Clinton said about the failed Annan Plan. The above article dates back to Tuesday, 12 November, 2002.?

[halil]

A Pyrrhic Victory For Papadopoulos"



The independent English-language Sunday Mail editorialized (4/25): "If the president is hoping to use Cyprus' veto within the EU after 1 May to block any measures aimed at helping the Turkish Cypriots, he should think again. His handling of the referendum has alienated the entire EU, including Greece, and he is likely to be given short shrift once we become a full member. The only person who has a right to celebrate tonight is Denktash because the Greek Cypriots have handed him everything he has been fighting for, for more than 40 years, on a plate. His state enters the international arena, he keeps all the occupied territory, and the Turkish army will stay in Cyprus indefinitely. Meanwhile the Cyprus government will not even be able to secure a mild resolution condemning the Turkish occupation in an international forum."



"A New Strategy"



Sotiris N. Sampson editorialized on the front page of hard-line, nationalist, and pro-Democratic Rally Party, Greek-language I Makhi (4/25): "A pan-national conference is required to chart a new strategy that cannot be based on the Annan plan. Any effort to revive it will be crafty. The referendum opens new prospects and no one has the right to ignore the verdict of the sovereign people."



"Annan Plan Dead"



A front-page editorial in Greek-language Alithia commented (4/25): "[They] killed off the Annan plan, canceled the island's immediate reunification, and led the Greek side to international isolation. The dream has been lost. And if a new struggle that will unite the people is required then it must focus on minimizing the consequences, not acquitting those who are guilty of misinforming and deceiving."



"Now What?"



Greek-language Politis remarked (4/25): "Now what? The people have decided and their decision must be respected. The problem arising as of today is how we are going to handle this 'No' domestically, but mainly abroad."



"Prospect Of Reunification"



Greek-language Kharavyi held (4/25): "The Greek Cypriot verdict does not mean, nor can it be interpreted as, a rejection of a solution. On the contrary, it is sending within and outside Cyprus the message that it fervently wants a solution, with guarantees that this solution will be durable and will open the prospect of reunification."



"People Said No To Blackmail"



Greek-language I Simerini had this to say (4/25): "The people have rejected the blackmails.... Cyprus is small and weak, but the rights and values it is defending are big and universal. Cyprus said No to suicide. It is saying Yes to a modern, democratic, functional, and European solution to its dramatic problem. This No must be interpreted correctly, both inside and outside Cyprus. And Cyprus must be genuinely helped to find a solution, instead of being blackmailed and terrorized about a dissolution."

[halil]

Enough"



Turkish-language Kibris stated (4/25): "Open Letter to Rauf Denktash: Mr. Denktash, we have had enough. Leave us alone now. Leave us to go on our way. The new Turkish Cypriot leaders are quickly achieving what you failed to accomplish during the past 40 years."



"What To Do Now"



A columnist observed in Turkish-language Halkin Sesi (4/25): "Let us now focus on what we have to do.... The Greek Cypriots will not agree to share anything. They have always seen us as a minority in Cyprus. I hope that the world has now realized why the Cyprus problem has so far remained unsolved."



"Lift The Embargo"



Turkish-language Volkan commented (4/25): "The illegal referendum should have been boycotted. The Turkish Cypriot people said yes and the Greek Cypriot people said no. The Justice and Development Party administration in Turkey should now move to fulfill its promise to our people. It should launch a significant campaign to have the embargoes on us lifted and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus recognized."



"Vote Outcome"

Turkish-language Afrika noted (4/25): "Rauf Denktash was the first to describe the referendum outcome as a 'victory.' It seems that he confused his people with the Greek Cypriots!"



GREECE: "The Struggle Continues"



Pro-government Eleftheros Typos observed (4/26): "A new day for Cyprus begins today. We must seek for the strategy that will on the one hand minimize the negative consequences from the international community, and, on the other, maximize the chances for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Both Athens and Nicosia can keep the Cyprus issue open, making the requisite goodwill gestures that will confirm out good intentions. The new national strategy must develop in two fronts: the policy Nicosia will follow towards the Turkish Cypriots...and the policy Athens will follow towards Ankara."



"The Solution"



Top-circulation, left-of-center Ta Nea editorialized (4/26): "Such a big percentage favoring 'no' weakens significantly any hopes for the so-called 'second chance.' On the contrary, the 'yes' of the Turkish Cypriots decriminalizes Turkey and the pseudo-state in the eyes of the Europeans.... To the extent the EU economic support measures do not lead to an indirect recognition [of Northern Cyprus], the Greek and the Greek Cypriot sides have every reason to support them in order to prove their goodwill. At the same moment, they should resist all efforts that could create faits accomplis. At the same moment, both Cyprus and Greece should review comprehensively the policy they plan to pursue in order to reach a solution. No matter if they assert they want bi-communal, and bi-zonal federation accepted by both communities in the island, they have to make clear that they accept it in practice, and not just in theory. There is no room for illusions!"