- The proposal of U.N. Secretary-General
Kofi Annan is 137 pages long. In our Statement #1 of December
3, 2002 (copy attached) 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.
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