Independent In-depth Paragraph by Paragraph Analysis of the Implications of the Annan Plan

Foundation Agreement

Article 10 Property

3. In areas not subject to territorial adjustment, the arrangements for the exercise of property rights, by way of reinstatement or compensation, shall have the following basic features:

b. Current users, being persons who have possession of properties of dispossessed owners as a result of an administrative decision, may apply for and shall receive title if they agree in exchange to renounce their title to a property, of similar value and in the other constituent state, of which they were dispossessed;

Comments

Article 10, 3b is completely unworkable due to the fact that the Turkish Cypriots own only 13% of the property in Cyprus whereas the Greek, Armenian, Maronite and Latin Cypriots own the rest. The property of Greek Cypriots individuals in the north was always more valuable than that of the Turkish Cypriots in the rest of the island since the north contained 70% of the most fertile land and the main ports and tourist destinations.

Based on the maps and figures given in the plan the number of dispensed owners who will not have their property reinstated will amount to over 50% of the Greek Cypriot refugees or 100,000 people whereas in contrast all Turkish Cypriot dispensed owners will have their property fully reinstated and they will be given more besides. If properties were to be exchanged on the basis of Article 10, 3b; between 25% to 16% of all the property in Cyprus all of which legally belongs to Greek Cypriot refugees will be left outstanding. Instead of allowing the Greek Cypriot owners to return to reclaim even that property Mr Annan construes to enforce measures to allow current occupants to keep the property of the dispossessed Greek Cypriot refugees, measures which are clearly illegal within EU law. This constitutes more evidence to show that the clear intention of the Anann plan is to create an Apartheid state.

The principles of non-discrimination, fairness and justice are treated with complete and utter contempt by Mr Annan.

Mr Annan is misleading readers by inferring that Turkish Cypriot property owners are dispossessed. Under the existing laws of the Republic of Cyprus all Turkish Cypriots are free to return and reclaim their property any time they like. Their property rights are all fully respected and this has been recognised by the European Court of Human Rights which has judged that the only disposed property owners in Cyprus are the Greek Cypriot refugees. The reason why most of the Turkish Cypriots that lived in the free areas ended up in the north is because the United Nations took them there after it was threatened with blackmail by Turkey which said that if the UN did transfer them to the areas under illegal occupation Turkey would bomb the villages in the south.

Amendment Required

“3. All areas will subject to return to the Republic of Cyprus to its satisfaction before the constitutional, governmental and institutional changes foreseen by agreement can take effect. Properties shall immediately be reinstated to all dispossessed owners on the basis of ownership in accordance with the law without delay or deliberation”

b. Legal owners shall be free to decide what they do with their property once it has been reinstated.

Clarification Required

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