Plan to reunify Cyprus defeated in referendum

That means Cyprus will not join the European Union on May 1 as a united state. Rather, EU laws and benefits will apply only to Greek Cypriots living in the island's south, according to a deal negotiated with European leaders.

Cyprus has been split into a Greek Cypriot-controlled south and a Turkish-occupied north since Turkey invaded in 1974 after a coup by supporters of a union with Greece. The breakaway state is recognised only by Turkey, which maintains 40,000 troops there.

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The reunification plan was drawn up by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

In Washington, State Depar-tment spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States was "disappointed" by the Greek Cypriot vote, calling it a "setback" to those seeking a united Cyprus.