uAbsence of adequate guarantees to ensure that the commitments undertaken by the parties and particularly Turkey would be carried out uEconomic cost of the proposed settlement –convergence, reconstruction, property compensation, compensation to settlers, monetary policy– would be largely borne by the Greek Cypriots. (Turkey, whose military aggression divided the island, was absolved of any financial responsibility for its actions in Cyprus) uSecurity issues involving the gradual reduction and continued presence of Turkish troops with expanded intervention rights even after Turkey joins the EU. (The “United” Cyprus was excluded from the common European defense policy and would be totally demilitarised. Turkey’s proposed guarantees violated the obligation of non-intervention in the internal affairs of states and the respect of the territorial integrity of all states) uIssues of citizenship definition and the fact that nearly all settlers from Turkey would remain in Cyprus uViolations of property rights that are essential rights under the European Convention and overturning of important European Court precedents uExpansion of Britain’s rights in the sovereign base areas and in the Republic’s territorial waters uDeletion of the ratification by the Republic of Cyprus of the 1936 Montreux Treaty (Cyprus is a major maritime power. The plan also granted Turkey near veto rights on the continental shelf of Cyprus) uViolation of the European Convention by denying the right of Cypriots to acquire property and live wherever they chose, as other EU nationals could, without restrictive quotas based on ethnicity and religion. The plan was rejected because it was judged by the great majority of Cypriots not to be the best for the common interest of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. As President Papadopoulos stated at the time, “while all demands by Turkey were adopted in the final Plan on the last day, basic concerns of the Greek Cypriot side were disregarded. All involved in the talks were anxious to bring Turkey on board and ensure a ‘yes’ vote by the Turkish Cypriot community, and ignored the fact that the far bigger Greek Cypriot community also needed to be convinced to vote ‘yes’ on the Plan. Thus, this process failed to address the legitimate concerns, needs, and interests of both sides.” The negative outcome of the referendum rendered the Annan Plan null and void. The Cyprus Question| A brief Introduction 15
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