Military

24 April 2004 – Cyprus will remain divided after Greek Cypriots today rejected a settlement plan put forward by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan which was approved today by Turkish Cypriots.

“The Secretary-General respects the outcome of the two referenda,” his Special Advisor for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, said today in Nicosia. “He knows that for many Cypriots the decision [of] how to vote was a difficult one.”

The envoy pointed out that “a unique and historic chance to resolve the Cyprus problem has been missed,” and the island will remain divided and militarized as it accedes to the European Union (EU), while the benefits of a settlement will not be realized.

The Secretary-General, who Mr de Soto said will give “careful thought” to the implications of today's result, applauded the Turkish Cypriots for approving the plan despite the significant sacrifices that it entailed for many of them. “He regrets that the Turkish Cypriots will not equally enjoy the benefits of EU membership as of 1 May 2004, but he hopes that ways will be found to ease the plight in which the people find themselves through no fault of their own.”

Pointing out that the plan, in the view of “a broad cross-section of the international community,” represents a fair, viable and carefully balanced compromise, Mr. Annan voiced hope that the Greek Cypriot electorate may “arrive at a different view in the fullness of time, after a profound and sober assessment of today's decision.”

“A settlement to the long-standing Cyprus problem would benefit the people of Cyprus, as well as the region and the wider international community,” he stressed.

The Secretary-General voiced appreciation for the strong backing that the plan received from many political figures on both sides. “He is grateful that Greece and Turkey, the Security Council, the European Union and the broader international community stood ready to throw their support behind the Cypriots and work to ensure full implementation.”

He also hailed Mr. de Soto and his team and praised “the dedication of many people from all walks of life in Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, who struggled for reunification and reconciliation.”