Brussels anger at Greek Cypriots

Papadopoulos is accused of not sticking to his side of the bargain

A European commissioner has strongly attacked the Greek Cypriot government over its conduct in the peace process.

Guenter Verheugen said the government "had taken him for a ride" and he directly criticised the Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos.

The Greek Cypriot leadership is calling for a "no" vote in Sunday's referendum on a UN peace plan.

The rejection would block reunification despite the expected "yes" vote in the Turkish Cypriot north.

I did everything to create the conditions allowing Greek Cypriots to accept the UN plan - apparently in vain Guenter Verheugen

Mr Verheugen attacked what he called the "surprising and troubling" attitude of the Greek Cypriot government.

"I feel taken for a ride by the Greek Cypriot government," Mr Verheugen told the European Parliament.

"I did everything to create the conditions allowing Greek Cypriots to accept the UN plan - apparently in vain," Mr Verheugen said.

"There is no better possible plan."

He called on the Greek Cypriot leader to respect his part of the deal.

Clickable guide to Cyprus

"Mr Papadopoulos has called back into question the federal solution, as set out by the UN, the EU and himself on the basis of equal treatment of the two communities," he said.

"We accepted at the request of the Greek Cypriots that the solution should not constitute a prerequisite for Cyprus' (EU) accession... but the Cypriot government had to do everything possible to find a solution to the conflict.

"We had a clear agreement on this point. Mr Papadopoulos must respect his part of the deal," he said.

EU officials also believe the Greek Cypriot public is being presented with biased information about the peace plan.

"The very least we could expect is a fair and balanced information campaign about the objective and the content of this plan," Mr Verheugen said.

Cyprus is among the 10 states joining the EU on 1 May. If the peace plan is rejected, membership will in effect apply only for the Greek Cypriots.

Polls suggest that Greek Cypriots will reject the plan, angry that not all refugees will get their old homes back and that Turkish troops will be able to stay on the island indefinitely.

The island was divided in 1974, when Turkey invaded the northern third in response to a Greek Cypriot coup.