Secretary General's Press Conference - Statements regarding Cyprus

UN Headquarters, New York

April 28, 2004
 

Annan: “I should also say a few words about Cyprus . The vote by the Greek Cypriots to reject my proposals last Saturday was of course a great disappointment, since it means that Cyprus will not now enter the European Union as a reunited island.

I salute the Turkish Cypriots for their courageous vote in favour of the proposals. We must all do our best to see that they are not penalised for the way the vote went in the other part of the island.

I remain convinced that the plan I put forward is the only realistic basis for reunifying the island, which I believe is the sincere desire of the majority of Cypriots in both communities. I hope that before too long the Greek Cypriots will have an opportunity to consider the plan more calmly, and to judge it on its true merits.”

Question: Have you thought about the peacekeeping force at all, I know it’s Security Council but is the UN going to continue having a peacekeeping force to protect the Greek Cypriots?

Annan: Yes, the Council is going to discuss it but I do expect the UN presence to continue in some form. In fact there had been an anticipation that if the plan had been approved and they had reunified we would even have strengthened and increased the UN military presence but we will review that with the Council - but I expect a UN presence of some sort to continue.

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