Kofi Annan roept op tot beëindiging isolatie van Turkse Cyprioten (en)

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has criticised the Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, who recently urged a rejection of a UN peace plan.

According to Reuters, in two reports to the UN Security Council on Wednesday (2 June), Mr Annan accused Mr Papadopoulos of having distorted the plan to bring about its defeat.

Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, on the other hand, were both praised for their support and Mr Annan called for an end to the Turkish Cypriot's international isolation.

"I would hope the members of the council can give a strong lead to all states to co-operate both bilaterally and in international bodies to eliminate unnecessary restrictions and barriers that have the effect of isolating the Turkish Cypriots and impeding their development", Mr Annan said.

However, he stopped short of calling for international recognition of the northern part, which has been under international embargo for years and is only recognised by Ankara.

The majority of Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan on 24 April, denying the much poorer north EU membership benefits when the island acceded the EU bloc on 1 May.

Kofi Annan also called for a six-month extension of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus.

"I remain convinced that, in the absence of a comprehensive settlement, the presence of the UN Force in Cyprus on the island continues to be necessary for the maintenance of the ceasefire", he said.