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Orthodox church leaders condemn UN peace proposals for Cyprus
2003-031-3
Thursday, February 13, 2003
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[Episcopal News Service]
Orthodox church leaders in Greece and in Cyprus have condemned a new peace plan sponsored by the United Nations that would end the island's 30-year division in time for planned entry to the European Union in 2004.
The plan would reunify Cyprus under a common government, while also giving almost complete autonomy to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities that make up 82 percent and 18 percent of the population, respectively. Cyprus was partitioned in 1974 following a Turkish invasion in the northern third of the island.
The synod of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus has rejected the proposal, describing it as 'dishonest and unworthy of the UN principles,' and arguing that it would 'give legal character' to the Turkish occupation of the northern section of the island. The UN plan would legalize the settlement of Greek-owned land and homes by 'Turkish assailants,' the synod said in a statement. It would also give 'disproportionate representation' to the minority Turkish Cypriot community in the island's executive, legislative and judicial bodies. The plan calls for a rotating presidency of the united island.
Turkey, which is also hoping to join the European Union, has urged Turkish Cypriot leaders to end their opposition to the plan. Tens of thousands of Turkish Cypriots demonstrated in the divided capital of Nicosia on January 14 in favor of the plan, which is also backed by many Greek Cypriot leaders. The plan allows for the return home of more than half of the 162,000 Greek Cypriot refugees displaced by the 1974 Turkish invasion.
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