Denktas, Greek Cypriots rap UN plan

Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktas on Tuesday sharply criticised a U.N. blueprint for reuniting Cyprus, saying it would spell the end of his enclave.

With the clock ticking towards a U.N.-imposed deadline for a deal on the Mediterranean island, divided along ethnic lines since 1974, the plan also came under fire from Greek Cypriots.

A group of Greek Cypriot lawmakers called for changes to a referendum on the proposals set for April 21. They want the acceptance threshold raised from a simple majority to 70 or 75 percent, making a "yes" vote much harder to pass.