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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-04-24Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] Referendum - G/C - Results - Nicos Kleanthous2045:CYPPRESS:58Referendum - G/C - Results - Nicos Kleanthous Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - Deputy President of the Democratic Party Nicos Kleanthous said after the final results of a referendum in the government-controlled areas of the Republic on a UN plan for a Cyprus settlement were announced, that the people have made a decision and this must be respected. Kleanthous said he was proud of the people who showed a high sense of responsibility and political maturity, indicating that they possess political culture and faith in democracy. ''Now is the time, everyone united, to see the day after and face the situation, whatever it might be,'' Kleanthous said. Referring to the Turkish Cypriots, he sent the message that they should not interpret the Greek Cypriot ''no'' to the UN plan as a ''no'' to a solution. ''All together, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, must intensively continue efforts until we achieve a solution that will truly reunite our homeland and people in conditions of real security, and create a peaceful and happy future for ourselves, our children and the generations to come,'' he said. Kleanthous said he has received an invitation, as a co-chairman of the Joint EU-Cyprus Parliamentary Committee, to participate in a discussion to exchange views in the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee, which will take place on April 27, in the presence of European Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen. [02] Referendum - T/C - Akkinci2100:CYPPRESS:59Referendum - T/C - Akkinci Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Peace and Democracy Movement Moustafa Akkinci has called on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and his son, so-called minister of foreign affairs Serdar Denktash, to resign. Speaking after the final results of the referenda in the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on a UN plan for a Cyprus settlement came through, Akkinci noted that Rauf Denktash had said in the past that if the Turkish Cypriots voted against his wish, which was to reject the plan, then he would resign. Regarding Serdar Denktash, Akkinci said he proved until the last moment that he was against the UN plan. On the results of the referenda, which were a ''no'' from the Greek Cypriot community and a ''yes'' from the Turkish Cypriot community, in relation to Cyprus' accession to the EU, Akkinci said it was ''a great injustice'' to the Turkish Cypriots that they would not be entering the Union. ''The Turkish Cypriots should not be punished,'' he said and expressed hope that another chance for a referendum would be given ''so that we can show that we want peace.'' Concluding his remarks, Akkinci called on the international community to lift the so-called embargoes on the Turkish occupied areas. CNA/OA/JV/EC/RG/GP/2004 [03] Referendum - G/C - Results - Dinos Michaelides2100:CYPPRESS:60Referendum - G/C - Results - Dinos Michaelides Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - President of the Struggling Democratic Movement (ADIK) Dinos Michaelides said that ''with a sense of historic and national responsibility, courage and sound judgment, the people expressed their will'' regarding a UN plan for a solution of the Cyprus problem. Michaelides said the people of Cyprus want a just, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem, based on the acquis communautaire and UN resolutions. He said ADIK supports President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos and will be ''present in the struggle for a reunited Cyprus, free of occupation troops, safe and developed, with a substantive role in the EU and the wider region.'' [04] Referendum - European Council - Reaction2110:CYPPRESS:61Referendum - European Council - Reaction Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - President of the European Council, Prime Minister of Ireland Bertie Ahern, has expressed regret that a UN plan for a Cyprus settlement was rejected today in a referendum in the Greek Cypriot community, meaning that Cyprus would be joining the EU without a solution of its political problem. ''I have heard the results of the referenda in Cyprus. We regret that a united Cyprus will not join the EU on May 1 as had been hoped,'' he said in a statement. [05] Referendum - T/C - Dervis Eroglu2115:CYPPRESS:62Referendum - T/C - Dervis Eroglu Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - Leader of the Turkish Cypriot National Unity Party Dervis Eroglu has claimed that the result of today's referendum in the Greek Cypriot community on a UN plan for a Cyprus settlement indicated that it was the Greek Cypriots that were obstructing peace on the island. Eroglu said voting in the referendum in the occupied areas was carried out in a democratic manner, noting that his party had supported a ''no'' vote. He said a lot of pressure had been exerted on the Turkish Cypriots to vote ''yes'' in the referendum and criticised Ankara for influencing the result with its messages. Eroglu said the UN plan does not exist any more and noted that he expects the UN to withdraw it. [06] Referendum - G/C - Results - President Papadopoulos (1)2120:CYPPRESS:63Referendum - G/C - Results - President Papadopoulos (1) Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said that the ''no'' response from today's referendum in the Greek Cypriot community on a UN plan for a Cyprus settlement was not the end of the road, noting that he remained focused on reaching a bizonal, bicommunal federation settlement. In a statement at the Presidential Palace after the final results were presented to him by Chief Returning Officer Kyriacos Triantafyllides, President Papadopoulos said the people did not say ''no'' to a Cyprus settlement but to the specific solution proposed. He added that when the Greek Cypriots say ''yes'' to a solution, it will be a settlement in the interests of both communities on the island, and spoke about new measures to support the Turkish Cypriots. President Papadopoulos said he was satisfied that the democratic norms were observed throughout the referendum procedure. [07] Referendum - G/C - Results - Yiannakis Omirou2130:CYPPRESS:64Referendum - G/C - Results - Yiannakis Omirou Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - President of the Movement of Socialdemocrats EDEK Yiannakis Omirou said that during today's referendum on a UN plan for a Cyprus settlement ''the people expressed its clear decision, which must be respected by all,'' noting that efforts should focus on ''a democratic, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem the soonest possible.'' Omirou sent a message of ''solidarity and common course to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots,'' whom he assured that ''we will continue together our efforts to reunite our homeland, away from any chauvinist and intolerant approaches.'' He said that the Greek Cypriot ''no'' in the referendum was not a ''no'' to a solution but to ''the provisions of the UN plan, which create a feeling of insecurity.'' [08] Referendum - G/C - Results - President Papadopoulos (2)2200:CYPPRESS:65Referendum - G/C - Results - President Papadopoulos (2) Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said the result of today's referendum in the Greek Cypriot community, which rejected a UN plan for a Cyprus settlement, should act as a catalyst for unification and not as a pretext for further division. In a statement after receiving the official results of the referendum from Chief Returning Officer Kyriacos Triantafyllides, President Papadopoulos assured the Turkish Cypriots that he remained focused on a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, noting that he would be announcing new measures to support the Turkish Cypriots and allow them, as far as possible, to participate in the benefits Cyprus' accession to the EU. President Papadopoulos said ''the people of Cyprus, having full and objective information, faithful to their democratic traditions, freely exercised their right,'' noting that whoever has been following the course towards the referendum ''dismisses as unfounded the allegations about intervention and misinformation of the citizens.'' He said it was regrettable that certain persons had tried to question the will of the people, and expressed hope that the European Commission statement regarding the democratic decision of the Greek Cypriot community would put an end to the phenomenon of ''twisting the truth''. ''The people of Cyprus, with a full sense of their historical responsibility regarding their future and their duty to safeguard the implementation of a functional and viable settlement for future generations, did not accept the proposed solution plan. The will of the people should not be misinterpreted by anyone. The people did not say no to the solution. They said no to this particular plan. We want the reunification of Cyprus and the two communities in conditions of security, with human rights and fundamental freedoms safeguarded,'' he said. The Cypriot President expressed regret that the plan was not one that could have been accepted, so that everyone would be celebrating the reunification of the country. Addressing the Turkish Cypriots, he assured them that ''we remain steadfastly focused on a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which will permit us to live peacefully and freely in conditions of security and welfare in our common homeland.'' Despite the negative stance of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side over the years, ''we never believed that our Turkish Cypriot compatriots did not want a settlement,'' the President said, and called on them to ''understand the feelings and reasons that did not allow the Greek Cypriots to adopt the proposed plan.'' ''I want to underline with emphasis that the non acceptance of the Annan plan is not the end of the road. There will be a continuation. There will necessarily be new prospects and new possibilities. I am sorry if our no disappointed our Turkish Cypriot compatriots. They should know, however, that when we say yes it will be in their true interests. I will strive and struggle for that,'' he said. He added that ''we do not turn our backs on our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, on the contrary we extend our hand,'' noting that ''we will not proceed alone to the EU, we will walk this road together.'' ''Proof of our intentions are the new measures to support the Turkish Cypriots and, as far as possible, for them to participate in the benefits our accession to the EU offers,'' he added. President Papadopoulos said that on May 1 the Republic of Cyprus will officially be joining the EU and expressed gratitude to the UN, the EU and Greece for their efforts towards reaching a Cyprus settlement. ''Our accession opens new horizons and new prospects. We will utilise them constructively to achieve a solution, which Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will be able to embrace warmly, because it will guarantee everyone's rights and will seal their common future permanently,'' he added. The President called for ''unity, fraternity and union of heart in the common struggle to face the difficulties we will meet.'' He added that ''the result of today's referendum must act as a catalyst for unification and not as a pretext for further division.'' [09] Referendum - G/C - Results - George Vassiliou2210:CYPPRESS:66Referendum - G/C - Results - George Vassiliou Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - President of the United Democrats George Vassiliou said that the result of today's referendum on a UN plan for a Cyprus settlement was respected but at the same time created a feeling of regret. Vassiliou noted that the Turkish Cypriot community said ''yes'' to the plan while the Greek Cypriots rejected it, adding that although President Tassos Papadopoulos got the result he had called for, there was ''a danger of making permanent the division of our homeland.'' [10] US expresses disappointment over G/C rejection of Annan Plan2220:CYPPRESS:67US expresses disappointment over G/C rejection of Annan Plan Washington, Apr 24 (CNA) The US expressed disappointment that the majority of Greek Cypriots voted against the Annan Plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, in separate referenda in the two communities here Sunday. US State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher described the outcome as a ''setback to the hopes'' of those on the island who voted for the settlement and to the international community. He commended those who approved the plan, in particular the Turkish Cypriots, adding that the US is looking forward to the UN Secretary-Generals report to the Security Council on his good offices mission. In his statement, Boucher said culminating years of UN sponsored negotiations, which the US strongly supported, Greek and Turkish Cypriots voted in parallel referenda on a comprehensive UN plan to end the tragic division of their island. He commended Annan, his Special Advisor on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, and the UN team for their outstanding work and we also welcome the support that the Turkish and Greek governments gave to the UN plan. Boucher said the State Department also commended all those who voted to approve the plan -- particularly a large majority of Turkish Cypriots -- for their courage and their vote for peace and reconciliation. We are disappointed that a majority of Greek Cypriots voted against the settlement plan. Failure of the referenda in the Greek Cypriot community is a setback to the hopes of those on the island who voted for the settlement and to the international community, the State Department Spokesman said. [11] Referendum - G/C - Results - Demetris Christofias2225:CYPPRESS:68Referendum - G/C - Results - Demetris Christofias Nicosia, Apr 24 (CNA) - Leftwing AKEL General Secretary Demetris Christofias said that his party would continue to strive for a new referendum, so that the Greek Cypriot community could give a ''big yes for a solution'' on the basis of a UN plan for a Cyprus settlement. Asked if AKEL would be contacting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Christofias said he believed the UN chief ''will be addressing us, and we him.'' He added that AKEL's stance against the UN plan for a settlement that was put to a referendum today aimed at ''setting in concrete a big yes as soon as possible from the Greek Cypriot community as well.'' 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