NICOSIA, 25 April 2004 — Greek Cypriots defied international pressure yesterday, voting overwhelmingly to kill a UN-backed plan that would end 30 years of partition and usher a united Cyprus into the European Union.
Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said peace hopes were not dead. “I ask (Turkish Cypriots)... to understand the reasons which did not allow Greek Cypriots to accept,” he said.
But Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, whose government had braved the skepticism of a powerful hard-line establishment and military to steer the Turkish north to a “yes” vote, said Greek Cypriot rejection meant partition was now “permanent”.
In a comment that will cut deep in Greek Cyprus, he said Turkey’s 30,000-strong troop presence would remain in place.
Turkish Cyprus, in a simultaneous vote, approved the plan for a loose association of two largely autonomous zones. But the Greek Cypriot “no” effectively slammed the EU gates on the poorer north and meant only Greek Cyprus will accede in May.
Greek Cyprus however may now be received with some rancor.
It was a result the EU, the United States and the United Nations had urgently sought to avoid. The long-festering Cyprus problem, which has brought NATO partners Turkey and Greece to the verge of war on two occasions, will now be “imported” into the EU with all attendant complexities and emotions.
Thousands gathered at a square in the northern, Turkish half of Nicosia to celebrate their “yes” vote, waving flags, singing and calling for the resignation of Rauf Denktash the hard-line Turkish Cypriot president who rejected the deal.
Official results showed Greek Cypriots voted 75.8 percent against the UN plan condemned by their own government. Many believe it did not cede them enough territory.
Some objected to 19-year limits on Greek Cypriot rights to settle and buy property in the Turkish north. Turkish Cypriots had sought such exemptions to EU law on freedom of movement to ease fears they might be “swamped” by wealthier Greek Cypriots or — the old Turkish nightmare — be driven from the island. The EU executive said in a statement the European Commission regretted the Greek Cypriot rejection. “A unique opportunity...has been missed,” it said.
Gul urged an end to trade embargoes on the north, which is recognized only by Ankara and enjoys a per capita income a third of that enjoyed by the south.
“The embargoes must be lifted, the isolation must be brought to an end,” he told an Ankara news conference.
