EU hopes for Cyprus thwarted by Greeks

Published on Sunday 25 April 2004 01:00

CYPRUS last night appeared an island forever divided after its Greek community defied international pressure and voted overwhelmingly to reject a UN-backed plan that would have ended 30 years of partition.

Greek Cypriots left little room for doubt about their feelings with a 75.8% vote against the proposals, according to official results. Meanwhile, two-thirds of the Turks in the north of the island backed the deal.

The two sides in the former British colony last night appeared further apart than ever, as Turkish Cypriot leaders accused the Greeks on Cyprus of making the split in the island permanent.

Jack Straw, the UK Foreign Secretary, reacted with dismay to the result. But Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos insisted peace hopes were not dead despite having been one of the most vocal campaigners for a ‘No’ vote.

Papadopoulos said: "I ask Turkish Cypriots to understand the reasons which did not allow Greek Cypriots to accept."

Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul, whose government had braved the scepticism of a powerful hardline establishment and military to steer the Turkish north to a ‘Yes’ vote, said Greek Cypriot rejection meant partition was now "permanent".

And in a comment certain to resonate north and south of the border, he said Turkey’s 30,000-strong troop presence would remain. 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 to the European Union in May.

Greek Cyprus, however, may now be received with some rancour into the EU. Last night’s result was the one which the EU, the United States and the United Nations had urgently sought to avoid.

The long-standing 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 its 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 hardline Turkish Cypriot President who rejected the deal.

The Greeks opposed the unification deal because they believed 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.

Many simply gambled they could get better terms when they are firmly established in the EU.

In a statement, Jack Straw said: "I was saddened by the decision of a majority of Greek Cypriot voters to reject the settlement, despite the prospect it offered of reuniting the island, providing long-sought relief for the refugees of 1974, and progressively lifting the weight of militarisation - all this within the framework of political stability and economic security which European Union membership provides.

"We will respect the choice which Greek Cypriots have expressed today. But I hope that they will continue to reflect on whether this choice is the right one for them."

He added: "I am glad that the Turkish Cypriot community has voted so clearly for the settlement. The result shows what a fundamental change of attitude has taken place within the Turkish Cypriot community in recent years.

"I understand very well their wish to end their isolation in the world, to join with Greek Cypriots in a reunified island, and to move together into the European Union which is the best guarantee for the future of their collective security and prosperity.

"I want them to know that this remains our goal too, and that we will continue to work for its ultimate realisation."

The European Commission said it "deeply regrets that the Greek Cypriot community" rejected the plan. "A unique opportunity... has been missed," it said.

The official results showed that Turkish Cypriots, comprising fewer than 200,000 of the island’s 800,000 people and populating a third of its territory, voted 65% for the unity plan.

Gul urged an end to trade embargoes on the north, which is recognised only by Turkey 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.

Greek Cypriot financial analysts said the prospect of political isolation for Greek Cypriots after the rejection, coupled with a possible easing of trade blockades on Turkish Cypriots damaged Cyprus’s economic outlook.

"If I put value on comments by the UN and European politicians, what lies ahead for the political and economic future of Cyprus will be negative," said Stavros Agrotis of CISCO brokerage.

Washington has said it would not "leave the Turkish Cypriots out in the cold" if they approved the plan.

Turkey’s centre-right government had hoped reunification would boost its chances of winning a date for Turkish EU entry talks later this year; critical to luring foreign investment.

Hope of reunification has passed, but the government has won some goodwill in casting aside past Turkish intransigence over Cyprus and publicly defying Denktash who has strong allies in the Turkish military.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan hinted he expected the world now to recognise the isolated Turkish Cypriot state. "In my view, southern Cyprus is the loser," he said.

EU enlargement commissioner Guenter Verheugen said last Wednesday he felt "cheated" by the Greek Cypriot government after their call to reject the plan.

Cyprus was wracked by ethnic violence in the 1960s and split by a 1974 Turkish invasion after militant Greek Cypriots mounted a coup aimed at union with Greece.

Emotions rooted in that brief war, which drove hundreds of thousands from their homes, run high on both sides of the island.

LIVING IN DISHARMONY

1963 Greek Cypriot president Archbishop Makarios, right, proposes changes to the constitution, effectively abrogating power-sharing with the Turks. Inter-communal violence erupts.

1964 Power sharing crumbles; government formed without Turkish Cypriots. UN peacekeeping force established.

1974 Military junta in Greece backs July coup against Makarios. Militants advocating union with Greece overthrow him. Five days after the coup Turkish troops land in northern Cyprus and occupy a third of the island.

1977 and 1979 Greek and Turkish Cypriots agree in principle that Cyprus should be a bicommunal federal republic.

1983 Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash declares a breakaway state in northern Cyprus. Only Turkey recognises it.

Jan 16, 2002 Reunification talks start. June deadline passes without result.

March 11, 2003 UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan announces end of efforts to reunite island and withdrawal of peace envoy.

April 16 Cyprus signs accession treaty with EU.

Jan 24, 2004 The Turkish Cypriot enclave’s new coalition government wins vote of confidence, setting stage for a renewed push to end the island’s division.

April 15 The US pledges $400m and Britain $37m to help rebuild a reunited Cyprus if both communities vote to approve a UN peace plan.