Cypriots to Vote on Unity Plan

The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, last night handed Greek, Turkish and Cypriot officials his final plan for the reunification of Cyprus, stressing that this was a last and historic opportunity to reunite the island before its May 1 entry to the EU.

Although the majority Greek population rejected endorsing the UN blueprint at the end of three days of talks, it was decided that the plan would be the final document that would be voted on in simultaneous referendums on both sides of the island on April 24.

"The hour is late but the cause is urgent," Mr Annan said from the Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock.

"The time for negotiations and consultation is over. The time for decision and action has arrived.

"Let us be clear, the choice is not between this settlement plan and some other magical, mythical solution. In reality, the choice is between this settlement and no settlement."

The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was quick to support the plan: "No side has lost in these negotiations," he said.

But the Greek prime minister, Costas Karamanlis, gave only a brief comment after Mr Annan's presentation, and refused to answer questions.

"Our effort centered as far as possible on improving the Annan plan so that it would reform with respect" to basic EU law, he said. "Unfortunately it was not possible to reach an agreed settlement. It is now up to the people of Cyprus to reach a decision and I hope they will do this with clear thought and vision."

The US secretary of state, Colin Powell, said he saluted "the constructive contributions" of Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders as well as their main backers, Greece and Turkey. "I support the comprehensive settlement," Mr Powell said. "This is an historic moment and a powerful signal of reconciliation."

Mr Annan had initially given the leaders until early evening to accept a deal.

The 220-page blueprint was revised in Switzerland for a fourth time and contains 9,000 pages of annexes. The plan envisages the creation of a loose federation of two largely autonomous "constituent states".