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CYPRUSLeaders agree to U.N. unity plan Greek and Turkish leaders in Cyprus agreed Feb. 13 to adhere to a U.N. plan for reunifying the country by the end of March, in what diplomats called one of the most important political breakthroughs on the divided island nation in four decades. Both sides agreed to begin an intensive last-ditch round of negotiations in Cyprus on Feb. 19 aimed at reaching a deal on the terms of the country's reunification. But if they can't agree, the leaders pledged to let U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan step in and put his reunification plan before the Cypriot people for a vote. The process is designed to move quickly so that a unified Cyprus could gain entry to the European Union on May 1. The Mediterranean island nation has been effectively split since 1974 after Greek Cypriot military officers staged a coup and Turkey invaded to protect Cyprus' Turkish minority. Decades of negotiations over the fate of the former British colony, independent since 1960, have faltered, including a recent round of U.N.-sponsored talks that stalled in April.
The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 21, 2004 |
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