NICOSIA, Cyprus, April 7 (UPI) -- Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos Wednesday asked his compatriots to oppose the United Nation's plan for reunifying the island.
The plan, presented by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, calls for separate referenda on each side of the island on April 24.
Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktsah also opposes the plan that seeks a loose confederation. However, the Republican Turkish Party of Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat reportedly supports the proposal.
Papadopoulos, in a live televised address, said the plan meets the Turkish Cypriots' minimum demands, but not the Greeks'. Rather than lead to reunification, it makes partition permanent, he argued according to the Cyprus News Agency.
The leading Greek Cypriot parties are yet to announce their positions, the Cyprus Mail noted.
The referenda are due one week before the Greek Cypriots join the European Union. A "yes" vote would bring the island's Turks in as well.
