President Clerides Calls For Cooperation Following Release Of UN's Cyprus Plan

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

14 November 2002

Following the release of the 135 page United Nations blue-print for a solution to the Cyprus problem on Monday, Greek Cypriot President, Glafcos Clerides called for cooperation and calm.

Key features of the UN proposals include the creation of an over-arching 'common state' containing two 'component states', (with the common state representing the voice of one Cyprus internationally, and in its dealings with the European Union), the prohibition of arms supply to the jurisdiction, and the creation of a single Cyprus citizenship.

Following the presentation of the blueprint to President Clerides, Turkish Cypriot Leader Rauf Denktash, and representatives from the UK, Greece and Turkey, UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan asked all parties concerned not to take a public position on the proposals immediately, but to consider them carefully and give a reaction on November 18.

Speaking on Monday, President Clerides announced that: 'At this important juncture, I call upon all the political forces and the entire Cyprus people to unite and cooperate. I look upon the National Council as a collaborator and an assistant in this difficult effort. Our effort to solve the Cyprus problem should acquire the greatest possible political and social consensus,' continuing:

'The plan submitted covers all aspects of the Cyprus problem. It is evident that it contains provisions that satisfy our positions and also provisions that are not to our liking and do not satisfy us. However, we shall judge the plan as a whole.'

President Clerides concluded his speech: 'I call upon the people of Cyprus who will have the final say concerning the approval or rejection of any agreement that may be achieved to remain cool, calm, and firm. The guiding light of all our handling should be the interest of Cyprus and its people and nothing else.'

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