FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Embassy
Thursday, October 19, 2006

PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY
ON UNITED STATES' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The United States has a long-standing assistance program in Cyprus administered by the embassy and other organizations such as the Cyprus Fulbright Commission and UNDP aimed at supporting the reunification of the island and reconciliation of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Around the time of the Annan Plan negotiations we supported a number of projects that were aimed at explaining the provisions of the necessarily complex plan in clear, understandable language. For example, we provided funding for the research, drafting and printing of "the Citizen's Guide to the Annan Plan." The Green Book -- as it was called -- was offered in Greek, Turkish and English. We made no secret of our support for this effort, and indeed this support is made explicit in the Books themselves. We invite viewers to read the booklet and decide for themselves whether these allegations have any basis.

We are justifiably proud of our record of support for bicommunal activities in Cyprus , including helping in public-awareness efforts on the UN plan for reunification of the island. Please visit our website at http://cyprus.usembassy.gov for more information about our assistance program.

Allegations that the United States directly or indirectly paid people to support the Annan Plan are insulting and utterly without foundation.