Tens of thousands rally for and against UN plan to reunite Cyprus as campaigning closes

<br>NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) _ Waving European Union flags and shouting slogans in both Greek and Turkish, tens of thousands of Cypriots turned out in a final show of support for a U.N. plan to end the 30-year

Friday, April 23rd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) _ Waving European Union flags and shouting slogans in both Greek and Turkish, tens of thousands of Cypriots turned out in a final show of support for a U.N. plan to end the 30-year division of their island.

The Greek Cypriot president went on all four Greek Cypriot TV stations Thursday to reassure those opposed to the plan, the subject of separate referenda Saturday in the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north.

The United States and the European Union strongly support the plan, which could pave the way for a united Cyprus joining the European Union on May 1. If either side rejects it, EU laws and benefits will apply only to the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south.

The United Nations has warned that if the plan, drawn up by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, is rejected, a new push for a solution won't come any time soon.

However, Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, urged Cypriots not to place too much stock in such threats.

``Such plans don't disappear. They may be pushed aside for a while, but then they are revived,'' Papadopoulos said during his two-hour televised appearance.

Although he rejected the plan, dealing a huge blow to the ``yes'' campaign, the Greek Cypriot leader said doesn't want the it thrown out, rather improved.

``The basis of any solution will be this plan. Our aim is to make it workable,'' he said. ``We want people to understand that voting 'no' in the referendum does not mean we turn our back to a settlement.

``On the contrary, we want a settlement that is workable and lasting. A ``no'' vote is a vote for the future in the framework of a viable Annan plan.''

Polls have indicated Turkish Cypriots, internationally isolated and economically impoverished, will vote in favor of the plan but that Greek Cypriots will reject it.

Greek Cypriot supporters say voting ``yes'' is a last chance to end the unofficial partition resulting from a 1974 Turkish invasion of the island, which followed a short-lived coup by backers of union with Greece.

The breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Turkey, which maintains 40,000 troops there.

The plan would set up two states under a weak federal government, return some refugees to homes they fled after the Turkish invasion, but require others to relinquish their claims. Greek Cypriots are especially unhappy with the limited number of refugees allowed to reclaim old property.

The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, joined EU officials in criticizing media access for advocates of the Annan plan, with spokesman Richard Boucher saying state-run Cyprus Broadcasting Corp. limited coverage of foreign leaders advocating a 'yes' vote.

``There are a lot of facts and a lot of pieces of information that may not be getting through, and that really calls into question the operation of free media in Cyprus and the ability of the Cypriot voters to have full and accurate information,'' Boucher said.

On the last day rallies were allowed, about 50,000 Cypriots who support the plan _ including some Greek Cypriots _ demonstrated in the main square of the Turkish quarter of this divided capital.

Some waved EU flags and shouted ``Peace in Cyprus cannot be prevented,'' in both languages. A troupe of ethnic Greeks and Turks performed traditional dances.

Supporters and opponents of the plan also held smaller rallies around the island. Greek Cypriot students abandoned their classrooms to hold marches for and against the plan. Cypriots must be 18 to vote in the referendums.

``I am here because I want peace,'' said Behlul Kavakli, a 20-year-old Turkish Cypriot at the rally in Nicosia. ``I feel ignored by the whole world. I feel like I have no identity. Joining the European Union will make me and all other Turkish Cypriots part of the world.''

Turkish Cypriots have trouble traveling because their passports aren't recognized.

Perihan Guru, a 67-year-old Turkish Cypriot, said the plan promises a better life.

``I have two sons who had to leave Cyprus because they couldn't find a job here. I'm here so that the future of all of our children is brighter,'' he said.

In a separate rally on the Turkish side of the capital, about 8,000 supporters of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash voiced opposition to their plan.

``Wherever Denktash is, we will be there,'' chanted the demonstrators, waving red Turkish flags and the red and white flag of the north.

Denktash, one of the plan's most vocal opponents, said acceptance would result in ``the burial'' of his breakaway state and that Turkish Cypriots would be swamped by the richer and larger Greek Cypriot community.

Turkey has supported the plan, partly in an effort to boost its own chances of joining the European Union.