Thousands rally ahead of vote on Cyprus

The United States and the European Union strongly support the plan, which could pave the way for a united Cyprus joining the European Union on May 1.

If either side rejects it, EU laws and benefits will apply only to the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot south of the island.

The United Nations has warned that if the plan, drawn up by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, is rejected, a new push for a solution will not be made soon.

However, Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, urged Cypriots not to give too much credence to such threats.

“Such plans don’t disappear. They may be pushed aside for a while, but then they are revived,” Papadopoulos said during two hours of on-the-air questioning.

Although he rejected the plan, dealing a huge blow to the “yes” campaign, the president said he does not want it thrown out, but rather improved.

“The basis of any solution will be this plan. Our aim is to make it workable…We want people to understand that voting ‘no’ in the referendum does not mean we turn our back to a settlement.

"On the contrary, we want a settlement that is workable and lasting. A ‘no’ vote is a vote for the future in the framework of a viable Annan plan.”

Polls have indicated Turkish Cypriots, internationally isolated and economically impoverished, will vote in favour of the plan but that Greek Cypriots will reject it.

Greek Cypriot supporters say voting “yes” is a last chance to end the unofficial partition resulting from a 1974 Turkish invasion of the island, which followed a short-lived coup by backers of union with Greece.

A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognised only by Turkey, which maintains 40,000 troops there.

The plan would set up two states under a weak federal government, return some refugees to homes they fled after the Turkish invasion, but require others to relinquish their claims. Greek Cypriots are especially unhappy with the limited number of refugees allowed to reclaim old property.

On the last day public rallies were allowed ahead of the referendum, about 50,000 Cypriots who support the plan – including some Greek Cypriots - demonstrated yesterday in the main square of the Turkish quarter of the divided capital, Nicosia.

Some waved European Union flags and shouted “Peace in Cyprus cannot be prevented,” in Greek and Turkish. A troupe of ethnic Greeks and Turks performed traditional dances. “Integrate into the world with one yes,” read one banner.

“I am here because I want peace. I feel ignored by the whole world. I feel like I have no identity.

Joining the European Union will make me and all other Turkish Cypriots part of the world,” said Behlul Kavakli, a 20-year-old Turkish Cypriot.

Turkish Cypriots have trouble travelling because their passports are not recognised.

Perihan Guru, a 67-year-old Turkish Cypriot, said he came hoping to help bring about a peace that would give his children a better life. “I have two sons who had to leave Cyprus because they couldn’t find a job here. I’m here so that the future of all of our children is brighter,” he said.

Supporters and opponents of the plan also held smaller rallies around the island. Greek Cypriot students abandoned their classrooms to hold marches for and against the plan. Cypriots must be 18 to vote in the referendums.

About 8,000 supporters of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash also gathered in their part of the divided capital to voice opposition to the plan.

“Wherever Denktash is, we will be there,” chanted the demonstrators, waving red Turkish flags and the red and white flag of the breakaway state.

Denktash, one of the plan’s most vocal opponents, said acceptance would result in “the burial” of his breakaway state and that Turkish Cypriots would be swamped by the richer and larger Greek Cypriot community.

Turkey has supported the plan, in an effort to boost its own chances of joining the European Union.