Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-04-16

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis: More positive than negative in Annan plan

[02] Deputy Foreign Minister on the Annan Plan

[03] Cyprus president expresses gratitude for Greek support

[04] Cyprus' AKEL adopts proposal for postponement of referenda on Annan plan

[05] US State Department Cyprus coordinator says Annan plan a unique opportunity

[06] U.S. does not view possible postponement of Cyprus referenda

[07] Patriarch comments on Cyprus issue

[08] Israeli envoy comments on Sharon trip to US

[09] Public works minister holds talks with Athens and Thessaloniki mayors

[10] Southeast European defense ministers meet in Sarajevo

[11] Greece criticizes EU proposals on Mediterranean farm products

[12] Stocks nose up in range bound trade

[13] Security of mass transit networks during Games examined

[14] New express bus routes for the Olympic Games

[15] 'Clean Athens' program begins

[16] Pre-donors' conference for Cyprus urges people to say 'yes'

[17] US official says funds available if Cyprus solution accepted

[18] US Congressman concerned about UN solution plan for Cyprus

[19] Cyprus' DISI party votes in favor of UN Cyprus plan

[01] Karamanlis: More positive than negative in Annan plan

Athens, 16/04/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis underlined that he is announcing his decisions with respect to the Republic of Cyprus, its government and its citizens, before weighing in more on the positive aspects of the plan.

�There are positive and negative points in the plan. We cannot allow the injustices to affect us in the long run. I believe that we can exploit the positive (elements) within the framework of the EU dynamics, which will take the edge off the plan�s difficult points,� Karamanlis said in a closely watched address.

Moreover, the newly elected Greek premier (March 7), said that the positive elements are greater than the negative ones when judged within the European Union prism.

In case a �yes� vote is recorded in the April 24 referenda, Karamanlis � the nephew and namesake of Greek statesman Constantine Karamanlis � said Athens will stand by the new and unified state, while noting that the prospects for a Cyprus solution cannot be lost if a �no� vote wins the day. �Efforts must continue to bridge the gape between the two communities,� he said in nationally televised statements.

The Greek premier also sent a message to Turkish leadership, citing his determination to improve Greek-Turkish relations, bilateral friendship and trust. Along those lines, he said Athens will aid Turkey's every effort to converge with the Union's acquis communautaire.

Finally, he warned against any efforts to pressure or influence the Cypriot people's choice ahead of the referenda.

PASOK leader accuses government of negligence and defeatism: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, speaking after the meeting between political party leaders on the issue of Cyprus on Thursday, accused the government once again of ''negligence and of creating a climate of defeatism,'' adding that the party leaders should have also held talks before the negotiations in Lucerne.

Papandreou called for an active policy until the referenda are held in Cyprus on April 24 and for initiatives to be undertaken towards the European Union to secure the guarantees also requested by the Cypriot Leftist party AKEL, while also backing the claim for a postponement of the referenda and urging the government to take relevant initiatives.

The PASOK leader referred to his efforts for Cyprus when he was foreign minister and promised to stand by the Cypriots whatever the outcome of the referendum may be.

Papandreou considers outcome of party leaders' meeting vindication: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou considers the outcome of Thursday's meeting of political party leaders a vindication for himself personally and for his party regarding the policy applied on the issue of Cyprus during the past years and for his option to openly declare support for the Annan plan for Cyprus.

Associates of the PASOK leader mentioned that vindication concerned the position of the government and of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology in favor of the Annan plan, enabling the creation of a big majority in the Greek political world, believing that this was the result of the stance observed by Papandreou and the party.

Papandreou, according to his associates, was very critical during the discussion, criticizing both the government and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, while stressing that ''we lost advantages'' in Lucerne and after it and in the meantime the voices of refusal and of leveling prevailed.

Papandreou also disagreed with Karamanlis in connection with the doctrine of ''Cyprus decides and Greece supports'', stressing that this does not mean that Greece looks on without undertaking any initiative.

Satisfaction over the outcome of the party leaders' meeting was also obvious in statements made by Papandreou himself, who said the ''wider consensus'' and the ''strong majority of political forces in favor of a positive approach to the plan of Kofi Annan'' resulted ''from our clear position.''

Communist Party leader rejects Annan Cyprus plan: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga opposed the possibility of the Annan plan for Cyprus being adopted during Thursday's meeting of political party leaders.

''Our best solidarity for the people of Cyprus is with a 'no' to the Annan plan. We support a 'no' because the Annan plan does not create a bicommunal and bizonal federation but, on the contrary, it creates an international protectorate in the path of oil towards the Middle East which, in our view, is worse than that of Kosovo and Bosnia,'' she said during a press conference following the meeting of political leaders.

Papariga said Cyprus, as envisaged by the Annan plan, will be a ''non-state'', adding that ''it will be split three ways between the two established states and the British bases which are consolidated and supported, turning in this way into an unsinkable aircraft carrier which the United States can also use.''

''Such a state did not even exist during the colonial era,'' she said and wondered ''whether Turkey needed a price for the operation of an independent Kurdish state in Northern Iraq and whether Cyprus, and the Aegean afterwards, will constitute something in exchange for such a development.''

Papariga said all who are saying that the Annan plan serves a rapprochement between the two communities are not telling the truth and pointed out that the best rapprochement will take place on the basis of the two communities' common opposition to the plan and on the basis of common social and class interests.

''This peculiar state being created, with the two separate sovereignties and without there being appropriate hierarchy in decision-making, where every state will be stronger than the central administration and will have a separate economy will precisely be consolidated and make rapprochement difficult,'' she noted.

''A 'no' will have its difficulties, but it will not bind anyone's hands. It will create conditions for real pressure for different negotiating. A 'yes' will bring one before faits accomplis and will bind one's hands,'' Papariga added.

SYN leader supports postponement of Cyprus referenda on Annan plan: Coalition of the Radical Left (SYN) leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Thursday promoted the proposal of Cyprus' left-wing AKEL party for a postponement of simultaneous and separate referenda in Cyprus, slated for April 24, when the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities are called on to accept or not UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's fifth and final plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

In a press conference following the morning meeting between Greece's political party leaders on the Cyprus issue, Constantopoulos stood in favor of the postponement of the referenda so that there may be further briefing, improvement, correction and the filling in of gaps in the Annan Plan. However, in the event that this is not feasible, he suggested support of the plan.

According to Constantopoulos, the 5th Annan Plan contained positive and negative elements as well as dangers, but at the same time also forecasts which can develop ''a positive momentum for a solution to the Cyprus issue.''

The positive elements, he said, include the reunification of the island, a decrease of the transitional period and the European framework. The negative elements are the shortcomings on security issues, the staying of the settlers, the presence of foreign troops and the consolidation of the guarantor powers and the composition of the Supreme Court.

''The assessment is taking place at the level of an invasion, of a military defeat and 30 years of occupation,'' Constantopoulos clarified, comparing the present situation to ''a prolonged de facto partition.''

On the prospects of the 5th plan, he said that ''despite the problems, the dangers and the reservations, it could promote the prospect of reunification and the promotion of a bicommunal, bizonal federation.''

''It is not the Plan which consolidates and deepens the partition, but the prolongation of the situation,'' the SYN leader claimed, replying indirectly to extracts of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos' address to the nation on April 7.

Constantopoulos called for the postponement of the referenda for a few months to enable the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to find common ground.

''The issue which AKEL raises is not procedural. We ask of the Greek government to take all the initiatives to enable the crucial request for a postponement to become a reality and the Cypriot government should also raise it,'' he said.

Summing up, Constantopoulos said: ''The 'no' by one or both communities means a non-solution. If the issue is the existence of two separate states, or of a Greek state with a Turkish minority, this is another strategic and political framework and I'm afraid that we are slipping into another framework than that of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.''

Greek leadership concludes closed-door meeting on Annan peace plan for Cyprus: Greece�s political leaders concluded a closed-door meeting on Thursday afternoon focusing squarely on the Cyprus issue, in light of two separate referenda for the two communities on the island republic on April 24.

The meeting was chaired by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, and convened after a request by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. The other Parliament-represented party leaders in attendance were main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) general secretary Aleka Papariga and Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) president Nikos Constantopoulos. Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis also participated in the session.

A brief press release issued by the presidency shortly after the meeting concluded, at roughly 3 p.m. (local time), merely cited the topics of discussion � the referenda, the Annan peace plan itself as well as political developments following a �yes� or �no� vote on the island republic � while adding that political leaders outlined their positions.

Finally, the press release stressed that party leaders will announce their parties� positions individually.

[02] Deputy Foreign Minister on the Annan Plan

BRUSSELS 16/04/2004 (ANA/V.Demiris)

Stylianidis said that, ''Greece participated in the Buergenstock, Switzerland, negotiations in good faith and as a guarantor submitted proposals regarding the issues of guarantees and security.'' He also added that Greece had made proposals related to the plan's compliance with the acquis communautaire. According to the deputy minister, all economic aspects of the plan must be examined in-depth, including the cost of an extensive UN mission that will be sent to the island to help implement the plan.

[03] Cyprus president expresses gratitude for Greek support

NICOSIA 16/04/2004 (ANA/G.Leonidas-CNA)

In a statement on Thursday afternoon on the occasion of the Greek political leadership meeting on Cyprus earlier in the day in Athens, President Papadopoulos said ''their respect and active support towards the decisions of the Cyprus people, as was categorically set out today, is very important for us.''

Noting that on 24 April the people of Cyprus will express their verdict regarding the Annan plan, the Cyprus president said that ''as stated by the Greek Prime Minister the people of Cyprus have the final responsibility, and the decision of the people will be absolutely respected and supported whereas our join effort will not stop at the referendum whatever the result''.

President Papadopoulos said he had a telephone conversation with Greek Premier Costas Karamanlis after the meeting in Athens and before making his own statement in Nicosia.

''The excellent cooperation with the Greek governments and the support of the Greek people, have led to the Republic of Cyprus being today an active and equal member of the European family and for this our gratitude will be great and eternal''.

The same cooperation, he added, ''and the same support will lead to the fulfillment of our big strategic goal: To achieve a functional and viable solution, which will unite Cyprus and our people within the framework of a united Europe. We remain dedicated to this goal, the solution''.

Concluding he stressed the need for a constructive and democratic dialogue so as to safeguard the unity of the people.

''Based on this unity, regardless of any different approaches and evaluations, which are natural we will move ahead the day after the referendum, with respect to the verdict of the people of Cyprus and the mutual interest of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots within conditions of security and prosperity'', the Cypriot president concluded.

[04] Cyprus' AKEL adopts proposal for postponement of referenda on Annan plan

NICOSIA 16/04/2004 (ANA/CNA)

According to the decision, in the opposite case, the party would be ''obliged to not support the approval of the plan'' in the referendum among Greek Cypriots.

Speaking after the congress, which ran past midnight Wednesday, AKEL General Secretary Demetris Christofias noted that the party requests the postponement of the referenda, putting forward clear requirements as set out by the party's central committee.

The proposal was passed with 1,097 votes (64,8%) in favor, 582 (34,2%) votes against, amid 11 abstentions, while there were also three invalid votes.

Christofias described the proposal for postponement as ''realistic, even if it happens two days before the referenda'', scheduled for April 24.

[05] US State Department Cyprus coordinator says Annan plan a unique opportunity

BRUSSELS 16/04/2004 (ANA/V. Demiris)

Weston said the option is between the solution proposed with the Annan plan or no solution and stressed that in the event the plan is rejected the US will make every effort to have the ''unfavorable living conditions of the Turkish Cypriots improved and to put an end to the unfair isolation being experienced by the northern sector of the island for a long time.''

In another development, a senior American official said here on Thursday that the ratification of the Annan plan by the Turkish Cypriot side and its rejection by the Greek Cypriot side will result in the complete reconsideration of US policy towards Cyprus, leaving all possibilities open, even of a change in status.

The rejection of a plan which is unanimously supported by the UN and the EU cannot be supported soundly, he added and termed as unrealistic the assessments of the Greek Cypriot side that the implementation of the Annan plan will have a cost in the region of six billion euros, when the evaluation made by the EU does not exceed two billion euros.

Asked by the Athens News Agency (ANA), the American official referred to the constructive role played by the Greek government in the final phase of negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus issue, supporting the efforts of the UN secretary general and showing a spirit of absolute cooperation.

[06] U.S. does not view possible postponement of Cyprus referenda

WASHINGTON 16/04/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Having stressed that ''there is clear international support for a positive result in the referendum and for a full and opportune implementation of the agreement afterwards,'' Boucher added that ''I wish to make it clear that we do not believe that the postponement of the referendum is possible.''

Commenting on Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' stance on Thursday during the meeting of political party leaders on the Cyprus issue, Boucher said: ''Greek Prime Minister Mr. Karamanlis supported in his announcement today the UN solution. He said that within the framework of the European Union the plan has more positive than negative (elements).''

The spokesman added that a similar position has also been adopted by the United States which declares that the plan has many benefits for both the communities but also for the countries of the region.

[07] Patriarch comments on Cyprus issue

ISTANBUL 16/04/2004 (ANA � A. Kourkoulas)

�We are on the brink, we all want to believe, of a final settlement of the political issue on Cyprus ... I know that the political leaders in the south and north (of the divided island republic) are faced with great dilemmas; we, the people of the Church, can only express our wish for peace and in favor of rapprochement, solidarity and cooperation amongst all the people and peoples of the earth, and especially for the people that live in a certain land, on a certain island,� Vartholomeos, the primus inter pares of the world�s Orthodox Christian Patriarchs.

He also expressed a call, in speaking to the pilgrims, to Cyprus� ecclesiastical leaders to contribute to a solution of the long-standing Cyprus problem.

[08] Israeli envoy comments on Sharon trip to US

Athens, 16/04/2004 (ANA)

Ambassador Ram Aviram told local reporters that the withdrawal of 10,000 Jewish settlers from Gaza did not contravene the �road map� for Mideast peace, while criticizing Palestinian leadership for what he said was a lack of any initiative to achieve peace since the Oslo agreements. Conversely, he said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon did take the initiative, while also acting in the best interests of his country.

Furthermore, he said the move does not necessitate the Palestinians� �consensus�.

Aviram did stress that an under-construction concrete barrier that Israel is building on the West Bank, termed by Israeli leadership as a �fence� and by its critics as a �wall�, is a temporary measure against terrorism, and not a tool for drawing future borders.

Bush spoke during a Wednesday press conference in Washington with Sharon, where he also backed the latter�s plan for the unilateral pullout from densely-populated and congested Gaza.

[09] Public works minister holds talks with Athens and Thessaloniki mayors

Athens, 16/04/2004 (ANA)

The two also discussed Omonoia Square in downtown Athens, agreeing in statements that its present image is wretched. Souflias said whatever changes have to be done at Omonoia Square will only take place if their completion is expected by the end of July.

On the question of Syntagma Square, Souflias said projects aimed at upgrading the square are going ahead according to schedule, as is the case with other squares where work is taking place.

Emphasis was also placed during the talks on Olympic Games projects concerning Athens, such as work to improve major squares, greenery, work in the city's historic center and work aimed at improving the facades of buildings.

Souflias also met with Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos for talks on projects concerning the country's second largest city. Papageorgopoulos said afterwards the meeting was very useful and productive, adding that Souflias will be visiting Thessaloniki in 20-25 days to make announcements on projects regarding the city and on specific timetables.

[10] Southeast European defense ministers meet in Sarajevo

Athens, 16/04/2004 (ANA)

They also reiterated their commitment to eliminating tensions in the region through dialogue, while also stressing the need to fight terrorism and arms smuggling.

The defense ministers welcomed Bosnia-Herzegovina's and Serbia-Montenegro's efforts in joining the Partnership for Peace. The countries' candidacy will be examined at the upcoming NATO Summit to be held in Istanbul in June.

Deputy Defense Minister Vassilis Michaloliakos represented Greece at the meeting, stating that the EU recognizes the initiative taken by the Southeast European countries as being the official voice in the region.

[11] Greece criticizes EU proposals on Mediterranean farm products

BRUSSELS 16/04/2004 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

Speaking at a meeting with the bloc's farm commissioner to prepare for an upcoming ministers' meeting, Tsitouridis reportedly said that points in the proposals were unacceptable to Greece as they would lead to adverse treatment for Mediterranean cotton, tobacco and olive oil.

[12] Stocks nose up in range bound trade

Athens, 16/04/2004 (ANA)

The general share index gained 0.19 per cent to end at 2,445.20 points. Turnover was 100.6 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.14 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.20 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities dropped 0.29 per cent.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 132 to 147 with 77 issues remaining unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of April 15 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,200 1,173

[13] Security of mass transit networks during Games examined

Athens, 16/04/2004 (ANA)

The latter stressed that the ministry has demanded accelerated progress in all areas, especially in light of certain delays that have been recorded in several programs.

Training of security staff and the installation of surveillance and state-of-the-art detection equipment tops the ministry�s agenda. The state-run railroads (OSE), the urban bus systems, the new metro, tram and suburban rail line of greater Athens, as well as the post offices and telephone utility (OTE) fall under the ministry's control.

[14] New express bus routes for the Olympic Games

Athens, 16/04/2004 (ANA)

The new routes were announced on Thursday, and were added to ensure the convenient and quick transport of Olympic Games visitors, volunteers, and staff; and to discourage the use of private vehicles since parking will not be available at Olympic venues.

Buses will run frequently and will be free of charge for those who have a ticket for an Olympic event or appropriate accreditation. Additionally, the buses will have dedicated lanes for their exclusive use.

[15] 'Clean Athens' program begins

Athens, 16/04/2004 (ANA)

The entire program is worth 26 million euros.

[16] Pre-donors' conference for Cyprus urges people to say 'yes'

BRUSSELS 16/04/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at a press conference after the high-level meeting, Verheugen said there has been a first needs assessment, which shows that the international community should contribute 2 billion euros over a period of five years, and that the EU has already foreseen for the next years 250 million euros.

He also announced that the European community would convene an official pledging conference in early autumn of this year.

In the event of that one side in Cyprus rejects the solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Verheugen said it would be the EU's responsibility to guarantee that the Turkish Cypriots will not be punished for that, and warned that there would be immediate effects for the people of the side that said 'no', as the situation on the island would change, and not for the better of the people.

Verheugen said ''we have concluded the preliminary donors' conference and it was a very successful meeting,'' adding that ''two very important messages were given this morning.''

He said the first message was that ''the whole international community fully supports the UN plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and the whole international community strongly urges the two communities on the island to use the unique opportunity and to vote 'yes' in the referenda that are foreseen for April 24.''

''It was the clear view of the participants that if there is no solution before the end of this month there will be no solution for a very, very long time. Nobody should have the illusion that delaying tactics can help. A decision must be made now. There was a clear view this morning that the Kofi Annan plan is the best possible solution, it is fair and balanced, and takes into account the needs of the two communities,'' he added.

The second message, he said, is that ''the international community is prepared to help the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to carry the costs of unification-related tasks, which can be very considerable.''

He added that ''we have a first needs assessment that shows that the international community should contribute 2 billion euros over a period of five years.''

''After many pledges that we got this morning, after many announcements that governments are ready to make a pledge if and when the process is successful, and after a lot of bilateral contacts that we had this morning, I am in a position to announce that the European community will be in a position to carry the responsibility and I will convene an official pledging conference in early Autumn of this year, as soon as all the conditions are given,'' he said.

Irish Minister of European Affairs Dick Roche, who was representing the Irish Presidency of the EU, said ''the meeting today was very positive and there is a universal view that the Annan plan is one which can be recommended to the people of Cyprus.''

''Of course, the decision is a decision for the people of Cyprus.

There is however a clear desire, I think in every speech and every contribution today there was a very clear desire, to see this one of the last divisions in Europe to heal and there is a clear hope that a united Cyprus would be able to join the Union on May 1,'' he added.

The UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto noted ''the fact that during the meeting certain international agencies, who are quite authoritative in what they say, including the IMF and the European Commission itself on the economic and financial side, deemed the plan with the assistance which is likely to come from the international community, to be - to use the words of one of them - entirely manageable.''

''I think this is a confirmation of the viability that was of course considerably improved, thanks to the efforts of the parties in the final stages of the negotiations,'' he added.

Asked about the pledging that went on in the morning, Verheugen said ''we have already foreseen for the next years 250 million euros and it is not foreseen that the EU as such will make additional contributions, and that is the reason why we have invited a donors' conference.''

[17] US official says funds available if Cyprus solution accepted

BRUSSELS 16/04/2004 (CNA/ANA)

In statements to the press, Weston noted that if the plan is accepted by the people of Cyprus the international community is going to make the resources available, adding that if the Greek Cypriot side voted against the UN plan and the Turkish Cypriot side accepted it, then the US would do everything it could to ameliorate the ill effects on the Turkish Cypriots.

Weston said ''we have had a very good morning,'' noting that what struck him was that the international community and the EU member states that spoke at the preliminary donors' conference were ''very clear in their view that this is a unique opportunity for a settlement, which is consistent with our view that it is this settlement or no settlement.''

''It was the unanimous view that it was very important that this opportunity be seized, be taken now, and that a settlement be reached, which of course means advocacy of the 'yes' vote by both sides in the referenda,'' he pointed out.

Weston also said that ''there were several interventions from the Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which were uniform in their assessments that the United Cyprus Republic, as envisaged in the finalized plan, would function well in the EU.''

He added that there was also the assessment that the Annan plan for a solution was ''financially sound and would work.''

''And because those issues have been brought up by some of the political leadership on the Greek Cypriot side, I think it is very important to note that the views being expressed by some of the political leadership on the island on functionality and financing are not views which are supported by the experts in the Commission, the member states and the international financial organizations,'' he said.

Weston noted that the US made ''a very substantial offer of assistance today, worth 400 million dollars,'' adding that ''we are very proud of that offer.''

He said there was ''a great deal of confusion'' around the figures regarding the cost of the implementation of a settlement, noting that it was ''important to keep in mind that this was a pre-donors' conference, there are only initial assessments being made of what the cost of implementation may be.''

''What we are doing here is to demonstrate that in particular the funds that are needed immediately to implement the plan will be available,'' he explained.

The US envoy said the conference sent ''a very strong message that if the plan is accepted by the people of Cyprus'' the international community is going ''to make the resources available.''

He said it was made clear at the conference that ''these resources were available for this settlement, now.''

Weston also said that ''we will do everything we can to ameliorate the ill effects on the Turkish Cypriots'' in the event that the Turkish Cypriot community votes in favor of the Annan plan at the April 24 referendum and the Greek Cypriot community dismisses the settlement plan.

[18] US Congressman concerned about UN solution plan for Cyprus

NICOSIA 16/04/2004 (CNA/ANA)

He said that it was unacceptable for Turkish troops to be allowed to remain in Cyprus forever and to force the Cypriot people to put too much trust in Ankara that it would fulfill its obligations emanating from the UN plan (the Annan plan).

Pallone said the people of Cyprus should decide alone about their future in next week's referenda on the Annan plan.

''Unfortunately the Secretary-General's final plan unfairly benefits the Turkish side and does not achieve the goal of truly reunifying the island nation,'' he said in his statement.

He expressed serious reservations about the plan because it forced Cypriots to ''put too much faith in the Turkish government'' with regard to provisions in the plan for returning land and removing troops and others.

''The final plan allows Turkish troops to stay indefinitely without an international presence. This is simply unacceptable,'' he said, and expressed serious concerns about future moves by Turkey which could cause instability and insecurity.

Pallone said the people of Cyprus should decide alone on the Annan plan and added ''outside forces should not attempt to scare or threaten them into voting a certain way.''

''Whatever the outcome, it is important the international community and the US honor that decision and work to ensure Cyprus' future remains bright,'' he concluded.

[19] Cyprus' DISI party votes in favor of UN Cyprus plan

NICOSIA 16/04/2004 (ANA/G.Leonidas)

A 21.3 per cent voted against.

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