CYPRUS: The Greek side adopted a positive view of the UN proposal for the reunification of Cyprus, but the Turkish side was more cautious, rejecting deadlines set for its acceptance and implementation.
The Cypriot President, Mr Glafkos Clerides, and the Greek Prime Minister, Mr Costas Simitis, said the plan should be taken in its entirety as a "package". While acknowledging that there would be difficulties over certain provisions, Mr Clerides said: "I cannot consider sacrificing the forest for the sake of a tree."
Mr Semitis praised the plan as an "historic opportunity for a solution" to the Cyprus problem, which has defied resolution since Turkey occupied the north in 1974. However, Mr Michalis Papapetrou, the Cyprus government spokesman, admitted that the Greek Cypriot community is "a long way from being prepared mentally for the compromises we are going to have to make".
The UN plan, given to Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders on Monday, envisages a federation of two self-governing communities on the island but that the country would be treated as a single state for purposes of international relations. Offices such as the presidency would rotate between the two communities.
The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, in an initial statement from New York, where he is recovering from a heart operation, observed that the plan was a starting point for further negotiations.
"The most important issue is the Turkish Cypriots' status on the island," he stated.
Yesterday, Turkey's outgoing foreign minister, Mr Sukru Sina Gurel, a hardliner on Cyprus and a Europhobe, said he regarded the plan as a basis for negotiation but that certain new provisions are not acceptable. He also argued against the timetable.
Mr Gunther Verheugen, the EU's enlargement commissioner, described the plan as "balanced". Coinciding with the presentation of the UN plan, the EU stated it was prepared to welcome Turkey as a member of the bloc if it met accession requirements. Analysts saw this announcement as a means of encouraging Ankara to prevail upon Mr Denktash to accept the UN plan.
