Greek Cypriot leaders accused of muzzling ‘Yes’ campaigners

By David Cronin

Date: 22/04/04

THE man who negotiated Cyprus' entry into the EU has launched a blistering attack against the Greek Cypriot government, alleging it is trying to stifle democratic debate on the UN plan for reunifying the island.

Speaking exclusively to European Voice, George Vassiliou, the ex-president who sealed Cyprus' entry into the EU as its chief negotiator in 2001, accused the country's rulers of "blatant violation of democratic and human rights".

Four of the five nationwide television channels in southern Cyprus are due to devote their prime-time slots tonight (22 April) to a broadcast from President Tassos Papadopoulos, who is urging Greek Cypriots to reject the plan sponsored by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in this weekend's referendum. Supporters of the plan will not be given a chance to rebut the hardline nationalist leader until later.

Vassiliou has flanked another former president, Glafcos Clerides, at rallies calling for a "Yes" vote in the past few days.

He voiced dismay at the likelihood the Annan Plan will be rejected by Greek Cypriots, though approved by Turkish Cypriots in a simultaneous poll. He dismissed arguments that it should be spurned, based on claims it is biased towards the Turkish Cypriots and does not go far enough to guarantee the eventual withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island.

"I am extremely unhappy because I never thought it would come to a point where Cyprus is saying no to reunification," he said. "Turkey can now say "we are trying to solve the problem but it is the Greek Cypriots who have rejected; it is their fault".

"The Annan Plan is a compromise, with positive and negative [points]. But it is not more favourable to the Turkish Cypriots than the Greek Cypriots."

Günter Verheugen, the European enlargement commissioner, also went on the offensive yesterday against the Greek Cypriot media. The German accused it of preventing him from going on air to state why he believes accepting the plan is in Cyprus' best interests. In a statement, he told MEPs he felt he had been "taken for a ride by the Greek Cypriot government".

"I did everything to create the conditions allowing Greek Cypriots to accept the UN plan - apparently in vain," he added.

The spokesman for the Greek Cypriot government denied that Papadopoulos is trying to muzzle the "Yes" side. Kypros Chrysostomides said the president had deliberately taken a back seat in campaigning so far, but had invited the main TV channels to "interview" him tomorrow evening. Four - the state-owned Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation and three private ones - had accepted the offer.

"All channels that wish to attend are free to attend," he claimed. "There is no obligation on anyone."

Nevertheless, the broadcast will be the final one relating to the referendum on prime-time Greek Cypriot television before Saturday's (24 April) vote. Under national law, no campaigning takes place during the day before voters go to the polls.

The consequences of the twin referenda are due to be discussed by EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg next Monday.

A draft regulation prepared for them by officials covers the eventuality of the Greek Cypriots saying "No". This states the UN-patrolled "green line" dividing the island will not constitute an "external border" of the EU once Cyprus joins on 1 May.

As a result, "the prime responsibility for determining which goods, services and persons are allowed to cross the line" belongs to the Greek Cypriot administration, says the draft regulation.

However, Turkish Cypriots are hoping that their probable "Yes" vote will lead to the EU ending the economic blockade placed on it due to the Turkish occupation. They are also hoping that it will lead to the international community granting recognition to the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus, a state only recognized by Ankara.

Opinion polls indicate more than 60% of Turkish Cypriots will vote "Yes", while two-thirds of Greek Cypriots will vote "No". So far, Azerbaijan is the only country that has definitively said it would recognize a Turkish Cypriot state following a "Yes" vote by its community.

But an official with the Turkish Cypriot government predicted a domino effect. "[US Secretary of State] Colin Powell and Günter Verheugen have both said the Turkish Cypriots should not be punished if the other side refuses the plan," he said.

"So the rest of the world would have to reassess its relations with the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus."