Good luck Cyprus, you blew it

Sir,
I was sadden to see that Cyprus voted ‘no’ to the Annan Plan. I was also disgusted to see rampaging youths roaming the streets in gangs intimidating people. So much for democracy.
I hope the people who voted ‘no’ realise the ramifications of their actions. If the EU and the rest of the world lift the embargo on north Cyprus, I fear that southern Cyprus will be in for a rough ride.

Tourism will suffer greatly as I predict that tourists will flock to the north where everything is much cheaper. I see prosperity for northern Cyprus. Once they achieve that who would want to unite to the south. I fear the island faces permanent partition for a very long time to come.
Furthermore I suggest to all bishops, priests, etc. to do what they are suppose to do and look after the spiritual welfare of their flocks and keep out of politics. The time has come for Cyprus to have a separation of Church and State.

One last remark. All negotiations in the past have been clouded in secrecy and news blackouts and I feel that the people of Cyprus have not been fully informed as what was happening in the international community.

Best of luck Cyprus, for what it’s worth. You blew it!
George Christodoulou, Copperopolis, California

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.