Monday 10 March 2003 The Future of Cyprus  | The leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, Tassos Papadopoulos and Rauf Denktash, are holding talks in The Hague with UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan about proposals to reunite the island of Cyprus. This report from Tabitha Morgan: |
 Listen to the story Greek Cypriots in the south of the island are enjoying a public holiday in warm spring sunshine, while for Turkish Cypriots it's a normal Monday. Outwardly there's nothing to suggest that this is, in Mr Annan's words, Cyprus's date with destiny.Most Turkish Cypriots want Mr Denktash to agree to the idea of a referendum. They're tired of living in political isolation with increasingly difficult economic conditions. Many people in the north are going abroad to find jobs and many more have said they'll do the same if their leader rejects the UN proposals. A united island, they argue, would open the way to EU membership and economic prosperity. But Mr Denktash, himself, has said repeatedly over recent days that the plan doesn't provide the minimum that he regards as essential for a deal. Among most Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, the hope is that Mr Denktash will be the one to reject the UN plan, to save them the embarrassment of having to do so themselves. For Greek Cypriots the plan is flawed because it doesn't allow all refugees to return to their homes in the north; and they're unhappy at the idea of settlers from the Turkish mainland being free to come to the south. Tabitha Morgan, BBC News, Cyprus.
Listen to the words Greek Cypriots people from the Greek part of Cyprus Outwardly According to the appearance of things, it would seem that Cyprus's date with destiny a day when an important decision will be made about the future of Cyprus in political isolation with no political allies (the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been recognised only by Turkey itself) open the way to enable, make possible over here, during provide the minimum that he regards as essential meet his basic requirements the one to reject the person who rejects save them the embarrassment of having to do so themselves so that they will be able to avoid doing it themselves is flawed is unsatisfactory, has problems  Read more about this story | |  | | | SEARCH IN LEARNING ENGLISH | | | |
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