In 1978, President US Jimmy Carter’s special envoy for Cyprus, Clark Clifford submitted a plan for Cyprus on behalf of the United States, Canada and Britain. The plan was based on the 1977 High Level Agreement between President Makarios and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

The 12-clause plan converted the unitary state of 1960 into a Federation, provided for territorial adjustments and the withdrawal of foreign troops. It provided for the return, re-opening and restoring of Varosha with foreign funds. It returned land to the Greek Cypriots with compensation for those who might not want to go back to their former homes and properties. Cyprus would be demilitarised, which meant the withdrawal of Turkish troops –apart from a small contingent in accordance with 1960 independence treaties.

President Spyros Kyprianou of the time, rejected the plan.