the incumbant president was right to reject the annan plan. this would have given everything to the illegal aggressor, turkey, who maintains almost half the country illegally. turkish troops and turkish settlers have no right to be in cyprus and should have been removed 34 years ago. however, because turkey has had the support of the USA and UK they have been abl;e to maintain their illegal occupation without hindrance. the cyprus problem has far reaching political ramifications on a global scale and is severly hindered by US (and to a degree UK) foreign policy. Papadopoulos saved cyprus from being handed over to turkey. Now that he's gone, how will cyprus be saved? will cassoulides who voted for the annan plane, safeguard it's interests? or will christofias, friend and ally of the turkish side, do so? be afraid. be very afraid.

james, london, UK

The Greek Cypriots voted to give peace a chance. Some Turks are hopeful that this is a sign that reunification and return to normalncy are achievable; others are distressed that the path to taksim (partition), a dream of the Turkish nationalists may have been interrupted by the possibiliity of genuine negotiations.

A Yeoryiou, Great Falls, Virginia

Let's face it. The Annan plan was a total joke. The only plan that will work is the following; 1. Right of return for Greek Cypriot refugees. 2. Right of return for Turkish Cypriot refugees. 3. Removal of most if not all illegal Turkish Settlers. This plan will benefit Turkey as well as all legal Cypriot citizens.

Alex, Wood Dale, IL

The Turkish Cypriots want political equality and the ability to protect themselves from the genocide they endured from 1961-1974. Will the new Greek Cypriot President give them this?

Suzan Hassan, London, UK

Are you serious? The two living together after so many years? With the two candidates left we are about to be governed by other countries because they are both willing to sign whatever plan is best for them and not for the isalnd. We all know how the Americans paid the right-wing four years ago so they could promote the Anan plan...do they care if they do the same thing now if Kasoulidis is elected? Also if Christofia is elected we will be faced with the same problem since he sees the Turkish Cypriots as our friends...they dont even speak Greek. So Papadopoulos was right for being such a hardliner because without him we will go back 40 years where other countries ruled for us.

Alexia, Nicosia,

Lets hope that any agreement sees the return of ALL the refugees property for both communities, but I doubt this will happen after Turkey who seeks membership (has dished out illegally0. There are 200k refugees in Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot Community are crying for the lifting of sanctions...........Are they for real???

John, London, UK

Theo's words could not be more true - let's hope a settlement can be found and both communities can live in peace as they used to prior to the search for Enosis.
Mike, Birmingham UK

Mike Heard, Birmingham,

We gave him a break. No hardliners more in Cyprus.
But we need help. Not the help UN offered with Annan Plan.
That was a plan with no secure hope for reunified Cyprus without intervalations from outside.

Natalia, Cyprus,

While someone mentions Turkish Cypriots are under crushing embargoes, it should not be forgotten that many Greek Cypriots have lost their houses and farms in the North.

Hopefully a solution will now be found that can assist those who have lost what is deemed to be worth millions of pounds in the illegal sale of their properties and lands.

Aubrey, London,

Let us trust that, with the departure of Papadopoulos, the capricious ghost of 'ENOSIS' will finally be be laid to rest. There may now be a fair chance of a lasting and meaningful peace and a permanent solution to be agreed by both the Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

chris clark, Bath, UK

Cyprus is not the only obstacle to Turkish membership...An ever growing EU population is ALSO against Ankara EVER joining the EU.....Face it.

pascal-pierre, Dinan, EU (france)

In the period 63 - 74 hundreds of people mostly Turkish Cypriots were killed or disappeared, then in 74 hundreds more mostly Greek Cypriots were killed or disappeared. Since then thousands of innocent Greeks and Turks have been denied their properties and the Turkish Cypriots (not mostly born after 74) have been under crushing embargoes.

It is time for a far better solution that the mess we have at the moment which is driving both sides further apart. Let us pray that as the Turkish side gave a posative sign when they backed the UN Annan plan in 74, and the Greek Cypriots have given a sign that they reject the hardliners, there is hope,

Don't waste it.

Theo, London, UK

They voted for Change

Mike, St. Louis,