CYPRUS: Turkey's powerful military yesterday expressed concern that there could be "serious problems" with the implementation of the UN plan for reunifying Cyprus in a federation.
Gen Hilmi Ozkok, the chief of staff, said there were positive elements in the plan but reiterated previous assessments by the general staff that it failed to meet Turkey's demands.
The generals have repeatedly expressed reservations since last-ditch negotiations on the plan began in February, culminating in the March 31st announcement that its final version would be put to the Greek and Turkish Cypriots in separate referendums on April 24th. The UN aims to win the plan's approval in time for a unified Cyprus to enter the European Union on May 1st.
The popular Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has risked the displeasure of the military by strongly supporting the UN effort to reunite Cyprus, divided since the Turkish army occupied the north in 1974.
He played an active role in negotiations to tailor the plan to meet most of Turkey's requirements. Like the army, Turkey's political elite rejects a Cyprus settlement under the UN plan but, since Mr Erdogan's Justice and Development Party has a firm majority in parliament, the opposition is not in a strong position to obstruct his Cyprus policy.
The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, who opposes the plan, has been invited to address the chamber tomorrow.
Meanwhile the Turkish Cypriot premier, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, who represents the pro-plan majority in his community, crossed into the Greek Cypriot sector of the divided capital to meet Mr Dimitris Christofias, the head of the left-wing Akel party, and Mr Nicos Anastassiades, chairman of the right-wing Democratic Rally.
Mr Talat, the first holder of that office to cross the Green Line, sought to reverse the negative tide of opinion among Greek Cypriots and secure a Yes vote.
While the Rally, with 30 per cent of the vote, may ask its supporters to back the plan, Akel, with 35 per cent, has already decided to say No unless the UN agrees to postpone the referendum and make adjustments to the plan. The UN and the US both refused to contemplate any delay.
Finally, Mr Kikis Kazamias, the minister of communications and works, resigned yesterday, expressing disagreement with last week's call to Greek Cypriots by the President, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, to vote against the settlement plan.
Turkey's military also said yesterday it would not tolerate any weakening of the country's secular political system.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has introduced a flurry of liberal reforms to prepare Turkey for European Union membership talks, but the secular military establishment distrusts the motives of a government which has its roots in political Islam. - (Reuters)