OXI
! NO !
Expatriate communities
united in loathing of the Annan plan
By Staff
Reporter
Cyprus Mail 20/4/2004
Fierce
opposition to the UN-brokered plan for a settlement on the island, pledging
their support for President Tassos Papadopoulos’ decision to reject the plan.
The Greek-American community has been particularly active, canvassing for a
rejection of the Annan plan in Cyprus and a change in US policy. Recently, 20
Greek-American organisations addressed a letter to US President Bush, voicing
concerns over the proposed solution and urging that no pressure should be
exerted on the Cypriot people ahead of the referenda.
AHEPA, one of the strongest organisations in America, has co-signed a
declaration addressed to President Papadopoulos, pledging support for his
rejection of the Annan plan and efforts to achieve a future solution “within
the European framework, a solution that is viable and workable…”
Lobbyists are also urging Greek-American congressmen to use their influence in
changing the US stance toward the Cyprus issue.
And Greek News, a Greek-American weekly, has been carrying reports and opinion
pieces invariably denouncing the UN plan.
Meanwhile in Britain, a running poll conducted by local Greek Cypriot newspaper
Eleftheria showed a resounding rejection of the Annan plan by expatriates; a
sweeping 95 per cent are against the proposed solution. Pundits explained that
the main reason was a large number of Cypriot expatriates living in Britain are
refugees from the 1974 invasion.
Some 250,000 Greek Cypriots currently reside in Britain; the community is
highly involved politically. Most Cypriot parties have branches in the larger
cities in England.
For their part, the Greek community in Australia have urged their countrymen
back home to “shout a resounding ‘no’ in the referendum.” Dozens of
organisations have co-signed a letter addressed to President Papadopoulos,
congratulating him for his April 7 address to the nation. “Your realism,
directness, arguments and clarity of thought… helped us better understand the
need for self-respect and that there are limits to any compromise,” read the
letter.
OVERVIEW
OF THE 5th ANNAN PLAN
AN OXI-NO VOTE IS A VOTE
FOR A JUST AND SPEEDY SOLUTION
OXI
! NO !
to
the Annan Plan