Statement #2 Of The American Hellenic Institute On The Proposal For A Cyprus Settlement Submitted By The U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan

The proposal of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is 137 pages long. In our Statement #1 of December 3, 2002 (click here) we made the following points from an American point of view of what is in the best interests of the U.S.:

• The proposal is undemocratic;
• The proposal is unworkable;
• The proposal violates key U.N. resolutions;
• The proposal undermines the Foundation Agreement;
• The proposal subverts property rights;
• Supporting the proposal requires the U.S. to follow a double standard; and
• The proposal fails to demilitarize Cyprus

In this Statement #2 we make the following additional points:

1. The proposal does not provide for the return to Turkey of the illegal settlers in the occupied area.
2. The transitional period is far too long and should be reduced from 3 years to 6 months.
3. The provision for a 3 year co-presidency is divisive and unnecessary. It should be removed. At a minimum it should be reduced to a three month period.
4. The two proposed maps, (A 28.6%) and (B 28.5%), reward the aggressor, Turkey, and are unfair to the victims, the Greek Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriots comprise 18% of the population and have title to about 14% of the land. A map proposal should provide for no more than 18% under Turkish Cypriot administration.
5. The proposal should shorten the time for the return of the refugees to their homes.
6. The proposal should provide that the areas to be returned to the Greek Cypriots should be placed under U.N. control at once.
7. The proposal should provide that the three non-Cypriot judges who will participate in the constitutional court:
   • should be from European Union countries;
   • act in accordance with EU regulations and standards; and
   • be answerable to the EU
8. The number of Cypriot members to the European Parliament should be in proportion to the population; i.e. 4 Greek Cypriot and 1 Turkish Cypriot.
9. The question of joining the EU should be removed from the March referendum which should only cover the question of acceptance of the proposal for the solution to the Cyprus problem. The U.S. in its own best interests should press for modification of the proposal in accordance with the comments in AHI Statements #1 and #2, in order to make the proposal a democratic and workable proposal.

For additional information, please contact Chrysoula Economopoulos at 202-785-8430 or at chrysoula@ahiworld.org. For general information on AHI, please view our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.