WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- The United States Thursday said it would support the implementation of the United Nation's plan to reunify Cyprus if approved by the Cypriot people.
The proposed final settlement is "fair and balanced" and would clear "the way for all Cypriots to cement their future in Europe as a united Cyprus enters the EU (European Union) on May 1," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
Cyprus has been divided between its Greek and Turkish communities since the 1970s when Turkish troops occupied northern Cyprus to prevent the Greek south from joining Greece.
The referendum on the plan, which provides for a collegial presidency, local governments and remedies to territorial disputes, is slated for April 24.
If the plan were to be rejected, then only the internationally recognized Greek south of the island would be admitted to membership in the EU and receive the economic benefits of belonging to the organization.
