The UN Security Council issued a presidential statement on Friday, urging Cypriots to support a UN-proposed plan to reunite the country in simultaneous referendums to be held on April 24.

"The members of the council recall that it is now for the Cypriots to take a historic decision concerning their future in the April 24 referenda," Council President Gunter Pleuger read the statement after a closed briefing on the issue.

"Should the plan be approved, the members of the Council stand ready to take further actions as provided for in the plan, including by establishing a new UN operation in support of its swift and full implementation by all parties," he said.

He said the 15-member council welcomed the results of a preparatory International Donors Conference for Cyprus to organize financial support to cover costs linked to a possible political settlement to the Cyprus question.

The Greek and Turkish Cypriots resumed unity talks in February under the auspices of the United Nations. But the two sides failed to reach agreement on the UN plan after two months of talks.

The Greek Cypriot government in the south of Cyprus is internationally recognized, while the Turkish Cypriot state in the north only has recognition from Turkey.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2004)