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Exit poll: Greek Cypriots reject reunification
A UN plan to reunite Cyprus collapsed Saturday when Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected it in a refendum. Turkish Cypriots voted heavily in favor. The rejection of the plan, which had to be approved by both communities, means that only Greek Cypriots will enjoy the benefits of Cyprusâ joining the European Union on May 1. bitch-slapped again, huh Turkey? With 96 percent of ballots counted in the Greek Cypriot south, official returns showed 76 percent voting against the plan and 24 percent approving it. With all of the votes counted, 64.91 percent of Turkish Cypriots voted "yes" and 35.09 voted "no," according to official results. The European Commission said it "deeply regrets that the Greek Cypriot community" rejected the plan. "A unique opportunity to bring about a solution to the long-lasting Cyprus issue has been missed," the commission said in a statement in Brussels. almost Paleo in the ability to miss opportunities The commission, the EUâs administration, said it wanted to "warmly congratulate Turkish Cypriots for their "yes" vote." It added it would look at ways to promote their development. Greek Cypriots were known to be opposed to the plan by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan because it limited the number of Greek Cypriots who could return to their homes in the north of the island, which they had fled after Turkey invaded in 1974. Ioannis Kyriakides, a 55-year-old Greek Cypriot and chemical engineer, said he voted "no" because the plan did not guarantee there would not be another Turkish invasion. However, another Greek Cypriot, Daphne Kourra, a 44-year-old worker, said she voted "yes." "Itâs my country and I love it, and I donât want it to be like this. I want it united," Kourra said. Turkish Cypriots tended to favor the plan because they saw it as a means to greater prosperity and EU membership. Can Aydan, 35, a businessman, said he voted "yes." Turks and the EU - forever the bridesmaid "All Turkish Cypriots have to vote âyesâ _ for the future of my son and for the future of all the children on this side of the island," said Aydan, whose son is 2. Rauf Denktash, the "president" of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot, expressed satisfaction that the plan was defeated. He had campaigned against it, saying the plan amounted to the "extermination" of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat, who championed the plan, called on Denktash to resign. Denktash said he would not step down because "the (Turkish Cypriot) state has been rescued. Therefore thereâs no reason for me to resign." Turnout was high. In the south, election officials put it at between 88 percent and 91 percent. In the north, the turnout was 87 percent. The plan envisages a federation of two politically equal states, one for the 643,000 Greek Cypriots and one for the 180,000 Turks and Turkish Cypriots in the north, under a weak central government. The Turkish area would be reduced from 37 percent of the island to 29 percent, requiring entire villages to be uprooted and the homes to be returned to the original Greek Cypriot owners. The number of foreign troops - currently 40,000 Turks and 6,000 Greeks - would be gradually reduced to a maximum of 6,000 by 2011 and 1,600 by 2018. Turkish Cyprus has been isolated for years. Legally, it can only trade with Turkey, the only country that recognizes it as a separate state. In its response Saturday, the European Commission said it would look at ways to ease the isolation of Turkish Cypriots. "The Commission is ready to consider ways of further promoting economic development of the northern part of Cyprus," the statement said. EU rules and regs without the benefits, most likely Posted by: Frank G 2004-04-24 |
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