UN Unveils a Blueprint for a Re-United Cyprus
The Turkish Times - A new 135-page plan to re-unify Cyprus is unveiled by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday, November 11, 2002. The proposal is being reviewed with interest and skepticism by the Turkish side.

If both Turkish- and Greek-Cypriot sides give their green light to the plan, a framework agreement is expected to be signed between the parties before EU’s December 12-13 Copenhagen summit, followed by negotiations on the details. If all goes as planned, the proposal might be submitted to a popular referendum on both sides on March 30, 2003.

The plan is delivered to the Greek-Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Rauf Denktas (who is still recuperating from a heart operation at a New York hospital), and the three powers that were designated as "guarantors" of the independence of original Cyprus Republic by the 1960 treaty -- UK, Greece and Turkey.

Key features of the proposals include:

• A single over-arching "common state" made up of two equal "component states" in "indissoluble union," modeled after Swiss canton system.

• The component states, of equal status, within the limits of the constitution, sovereignly exercise all powers not vested by the constitution in the 'common state' government, organizing themselves freely under their own constitution;

• There will be a single Cyprus citizenship and special majority 'common state' law shall regulate eligibility for Cypriot citizenship.

• A six-member presidential council proportional to the population of the two states, with a 10-month rotating presidency.

• A transitional government for three years.

• A two-chamber parliament made up of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, each chamber containing 48 members. Decisions of parliament will require the approval of both chambers by simple majority.

• Territorial adjustments lowering the Turkish Cypriot stake in the island from 36% to 28.5%.

• Cyprus to join the European Union and maintain special ties with Greece and Turkey.

• Cyprus to be demilitarised and barred from purchasing arms, with UN observers to monitor compliance.

• The offices of President and Vice President shall rotate every ten months among members of a 6-person Presidential Council. No more than two consecutive presidents may come from the same 'component state'.

• The Treaty of Alliance shall permit Greek and Turkish contingents not exceeding an unspecified four-digit figure and a UN peacekeeping operation shall monitor the agreement along with a monitoring committee from the guarantor powers;

• The supply of arms to Cyprus shall be prohibited and all Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot forces including reserve units will be dissolved and their arms removed from the island in phases along with the redeployment of Greek and Turkish forces.

• Areas subject to territorial adjustment which are legally part of the Greek Cypriot component state upon entry into force of this agreement shall be administered during an interim period no longer than three years by the Turkish Cypriot component state. Administration shall be transferred under the supervision of the UN to the Greek Cypriots in agreed phases 90 days after entry into force of this agreement.

• In areas subject to territorial adjustment, properties shall be reinstated to dispossessed owners but in areas not subject to territorial adjustments the arrangements will be on the basis of compensation.

• Greece and Turkey allowed to maintain limited military forces on the island.

• Constitution to safeguard civil rights and rights of minorities.

• A reconciliation commission to promote tolerance and mutual respect.

The initial reaction from Ankara was not one of enthusiastic support. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sukru Sina Gurel, known as a "hawk" on Cyprus issues, is reported by the Turkish press as saying that the blueprint is designed to please the Greek-Cypriots more than the Turks.