E.U. Confesses: Greeks Betrayed Us

Sources close to Verheugen expressed the Commissioner’s disappointment with the issue. Reportedly, he has begun to think that it was a mistake to initiate membership discussions with South Cyprus without first resolving the Cyprus issue. Ankara had been defending for years that the E.U. reduced the chance of a solution by giving South Cyprus perspective membership. However, Verhgugen did not listen until it was too late. He instead maintained that he was adding a solution dynamic to the process.

A confession such as Verheugen’s is rarely run across in diplomatic language. He seems regretful that he handed the Greeks a blank check. "I personally feel like I was betrayed by Cypriot-Greeks," he said in an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. "There is only a small chance that we will achieve the goal of granting membership to a united Island; I have slim hope that it will be achieved," added a pessimistic Verheugen.

Meanwhile, European Parliament (EP) Pat Cox harshly criticized Cypriot-Greeks for applying censorship to E.U. bureaucrats. He said that such actions violate freedom of expression. The South Cyprus administration had banned Verheugen from appearing on television, using the argument that such appearances would amount to an intervention in internal affairs.

Verheugen described the Greek’s censorship as a "scandal". The Commissioner stressed that respect for neutrality has to be sought while the Cypriot-Greeks are informed about the Annan plan. "For the first time in the history of the E.U., a commissioner is being blamed for interfering with the internal affairs of a country," said Verheugen.

While he bombarded the Cypriot Greeks with criticism, Verheugen also commented on the exaggerated Greek concerns. "Those who say ‘No’ are in a sense saying that the Turkish military should remain on the Island. If they say ‘No’ in the referendum, 30,000 Turkish soldiers will remain indefinitely. They complain about immigrants from Turkey in the island. If they say ‘No’, perhaps 100,000 more Turkish immigrants will come to Cyprus," continued the Verheugen. He emphasized that until the Greeks were guaranteed membership, they seemed in favor of solution.

While all the speakers at the E.P emphasized their disappointment with the Greek attitude, they called for immediate measures to be taken so as not to punish the Cypriot Turks in the process. Having the floor in the E.P morning session on Wednesday, Green Group President Daniel Cohn Bendit said that if Turks say ‘Yes’ and Greeks say ‘No’ in the referenda, the E.U. should establish political relations with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Meanwhile, the E.P General Council approved a draft recommendation decision on Cyprus with 422 votes in favor versus 30 opposed. The draft gives full support to the Annan Plan. Greeks were also encouraged to say ‘Yes’ in the referendum.

While these developments took place, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan confirmed that the referenda would definitely not be postponed. When asked what would happen if a "No" comes form the referendum, Annan responded, "The Project dies, my role ends."