Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders urged voters last night to reject a UN plan to reunify Cyprus before the island joins the EU next month.
Both Greek Cypriot leader Mr Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktash condemned the UN plan to end a 30-year division of the east Mediterranean island that will be put to twin referendums on April 24th.
"I call on you to reject the Annan plan. I call on you to say a strong 'no' to defend your rights and your history and your moral values," a tearful Mr Papadopoulos said in a speech.
Greek and Turkish Cypriots will vote on reunification a week before Cyprus joins the European Union on May 1st. If either side votes 'No', only the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot south will join, deepening the isolation of the minority Turkish Cypriots and harming Turkey's own EU hopes.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented his plan to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities last week.