Most Turkish Cypriots want Mr Denktash to agree to the idea of a referendum. They're tired of living in political isolation with increasingly difficult economic conditions. Many people in the north are going abroad to find jobs and many more have said they'll do the same if their leader rejects the UN proposals. A united island, they argue, would open the way to EU membership and economic prosperity.

But Mr Denktash, himself, has said repeatedly over recent days that the plan doesn't provide the minimum that he regards as essential for a deal.

Among most Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, the hope is that Mr Denktash will be the one to reject the UN plan, to save them the embarrassment of having to do so themselves.

For Greek Cypriots the plan is flawed because it doesn't allow all refugees to return to their homes in the north; and they're unhappy at the idea of settlers from the Turkish mainland being free to come to the south.