Secretary General's Statement to the Press 

United Nations Headquarters, New York

April 21, 2004

Question: With the polls in Cyprus showing the Greek Cypriots most likely will reject the plan, are you considering instead of that ‘now or never’ the proposal to postpone for few months in order to give the chance for the people to understand the plan and vote for it?

Annan: The request for postponement has not come from any of the main protagonists. The parties in the talks have not called for a postponement and therefore we are not considering that. I think we are going ahead with the referendum. The parties are ready for it. I hope the people of Cyprus realize that on such a day they have a historic decision before them. A decision that will allow a reunited Cyprus to find its place in Europe working with the EU, becoming part of the EU; or a decision that they take may maintain the divisions that are sustained for so long. So I hope they will really, really think hard before they cast their vote. This is an opportunity I hope they will not miss.

Question: What is going to happen if they say no for example?

Annan: If they say no, then the Greek Cypriot part of Cyprus enters the EU with the Turkish part remaining outside and the Plan will be dead and my role will have ended. This does not mean that they may not try and find other means of moving forward but I think it’s going to be extremely difficult, we’ve been at this for decades and I don’t think we’ve ever been this close and I really hope the people bear this in mind as they cast their votes. There is lots of support for reunited Cyprus entering the EU, lots of assurances have been given on the economic and financial front. In my own discussions with the Security Council there is willingness to help on the peacekeeping and the security front and I really hope that the people will take their decisions bearing this in mind, knowing that the international community is with them and knowing that it will be in their interest to enter the EU as a united Republic of Cyprus.

* * * * *

Back