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Main points of the Annan plan for a reunited Cyprus

These are the main points of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan for the reunification of Cyprus, according to the draft issued on Monday. Some changes are likely before the final draft was due to be released late yesterday. The issue will then go to a national referendum on April 20. – The name of the reunified island will be the United Cyprus Republic. It will have a new flag and a new national anthem. – The republic will be formed of a federal government and two equal constituent states, one Turkish-Cypriot and one Greek-Cypriot. Cyprus will have a single international legal personality and sovereignty. – According to the Annan plan, «the tragic events of the past shall never be repeated» and «the threat of the use of force or any domination by or of either side» will be denounced. – The Turkish- and Greek-Cypriot states will acknowledge «each other’s distinct identity and integrity and that our relationship is not one of majority and minority but of political equality where neither side may claim authority or jurisdiction over the other.» – The territory under Turkish-Cypriot control will be reduced from 37 percent of the island to 29 percent. Areas to be given back to Greek Cypriots will remain under Turkish-Cypriot control during the transition period. – The 48-seat Senate will comprise 24 Turkish Cypriots and 24 Greek Cypriots. Greek Cypriots living in the Turkish-Cypriot state will not be able to represent that state in the Senate. – The United Republic of Cyprus will be headed by co-presidents until June 13 2004, when elections will be held. – The president and vice president will be one Greek Cypriot and one Turkish Cypriot. They will reverse their roles regularly during the first term of the presidential council. The vice president will accompany the president to meetings of the European Council. – The number of Greek-Cypriot refugees allowed to return to the towns and villages they fled in 1974 will not exceed 18 percent of the Turkish-Cypriot population in the first 19 years or until Turkey joins the European Union. After that, 33 percent of the population of the Turkish-Cypriot state can be composed of non-Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots or citizens of any other country. – People who were forced to move from their homes or cannot get their properties back will be compensated or given a new home. A commission will be established to settle disputes. The compensation will be paid through a complicated system of bonds maturing in 25-30 years. – Greek Cypriots will be restricted from buying property in the Turkish-Cypriot state until the region reaches the living standards of the Greek-Cypriot south. Currently, the per capita income on the Greek-Cypriot side is five times that of Turkish Cypriots. – For a transitional period of 19 years or until Turkey joins the EU, Cyprus may limit the number of Greek nationals settling on the island to 5 percent of the population of the Greek-Cypriot state and the number of Turkish nationals to 5 percent of the population of the Turkish-Cypriot state. – About 45,000 of some 80,000 Turkish settlers who came to the northern part of the island since 1974 will be granted Cypriot nationality. The rest will be granted the right to stay as permanent residents. – The number of Greek and Turkish troops on the island will be reduced to a maximum of 6,000 by 2011 and 3,000 by 2018. After 18 years, or when Turkey joins the EU, the maximum number will be reduced to 950 Greek troops and 650 Turkish troops. This number will be subject to review every five years «with the objective of total withdrawal.» (AP)

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