Cypriots go to polls over reunification

Polling is taking place in Cyprus today on a referendum aimed at securing a last-minute reunification of the island before it joins the European Union next month.

Ballots are being cast in twin votes in the Turkish north and Greek south on a United Nations plan designed to end 30 years of division between the communities.

Opinion polls already predict a “No” vote, and if either side rejects the plans only Greek Cyprus will join the EU along with nine other new member states on May 1.

Although the European Commission has been attempting to secure support for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s reunification plan, their efforts have been undermined by Greek Cypriot president Tassos Papadopoulos.

He has urged voters to reject the proposals – and pre-referendum polls claim 65% of Greek Cypriots are set to cast a “no” vote.

In the poorer Turkish north, 60% of people are expected to approve the UN strategy.

However, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is thought to be as opposed to the new plan as his Greek Cypriot counterpart.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen claims President Papadopoulos has “cheated” the commission by initially supporting the UN plan and then urging voters to reject it.

The UN plan involves replacing the 1,400-strong UN peacekeeping force patrolling the border separating Greek and Turkish Cyprus.

Instead, a new UN-backed force would oversee the dismantling of military and police factions on both sides while maintaining effective security arrangements.

A “No” vote is likely to result in a widening of the poverty gap between the north and south of the island as funding from Brussels – farm subsidies, regional and social aid – will stop at the border with the Turkish north.