Cypriot Leaders Urge Voters to Reject Reunification Plan

Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders urged voters Wednesday to reject a United Nations plan to reunify Cyprus -- a move that would leave part of the Mediterranean island out of the European Union.

Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf R. Denktash condemned the plan backed by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which will be put to twin referendums on April 24, a week before Cyprus is to join the EU.

If either the Greek or Turkish side votes against the plan, only the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south will join, deepening the isolation of the minority Turkish Cypriots and harming Turkey’s EU hopes.

“I call on you to reject the Annan plan. I call on you to say a strong ‘no’ to defend your rights and your history and your moral values,” a tearful Papadopoulos said in a speech.

Denktash made clear that he believed the plan would spell an end to his Turkish Cypriot mini-state, recognized only by Turkey. Denktash fears that ethnic Turks would be swamped by the majority ethnic Greeks in a reunited Cyprus.