Cyprus a reminder

October 2004

CYPRUS: a reminder…
 

I. WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?
 

What Did the Turkish Side Do?

-Took the initiative to re-launch the process of negotiations,
-Truly negotiated, and displayed its will to engage in a give-and-take exercise,
-Heeded the calls of the international community to accept a solution that conforms to the established UN parameters,
-Approved the Annan Plan, despite the sacrifices it entailed.

What Did the Greek Cypriot Side Do?

-Initially, tried to avoid reactivation of the negotiation exercise before 1 May 2004,
-Tried hard to stall the negotiations, by filibustering,
-Demanded its numerous amendments to the Plan be fully met,
-Strongly campaigned against the Plan and the referendum, applying even undemocratic methods,
-Showed the World that it was not ready to accept a partnership within a system envisaged and supported by the UN Security Council,
-Also showed the World that its main objective was to remain as the ‘sole’ representative of the Island and join the EU as such.

What the World Said and Promised?

-That what the Greek Cypriots did was wrong,
-That it was regrettable that the Island could not join the EU as reunified,
-That the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey were to be commended, as they fulfilled their responsibilities towards the international community,
-That the Turkish Cypriots should no longer suffer from a situation that emerged after the referenda since it was no fault of their own,
-That a fundamentally altered situation in Cyprus had emerged which also necessitated a new approach towards the solution of the issue,
-That nothing further could be expected from Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.
 

II. THE CURRENT SITUATION
 

Embargoes and Restrictions

- At the UN: Due to the hesitations of some members of the Security Council, the UN Secretary-General’s report could not be endorsed. (It is rare, at the UN, that the Security Council avoids giving a positive reaction to a report of the Secretary-General.)

- At the EU: Despite the Commission’s and Council’s strongly worded statements last April, the EU is yet to take a concrete step towards the Turkish Cypriots.

The Greek Cypriot Attitude

- Blocking every positive move towards the Turkish Cypriots in the UN and EU,
-Making proposals that are in fact non applicable, in order to create a smoke-screen and thus divert the attention of the international community from itself to the Turkish side,
-Making additional demands from the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, as if the responsibility of the failure of the settlement process did not solely belong to the Greek Cypriots,
-Giving strong indications that it will use its full membership in the EU to the detriment of both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot Side.

The Turkish Cypriot State of Mind

-Despite the promises, calls and decisions, the World has failed to reach out to the Turkish Cypriots,
-The international community has not held the Greek Cypriots accountable for torpedoing the globally supported comprehensive settlement plan,
-Yet, already there are signs of an expectation from the Turkish Cypriot side to further accommodate the Greek Cypriots,
-Certain amount of dismay, disappointment and frustration are prevailing in Northern Cyprus.
 

III. WHAT COULD BE DONE?

-The EU could approve the two Regulations, as submitted by the Commission. The two constitute a package of measures and thus should be approved together.
 

-The UN Security Council could adopt a resolution endorsing the UN Secretary-General’s call to eliminate restrictions and barriers that have the effect of isolating the Turkish Cypriots. (UNSG’s Report, para.93)
 

-Bilaterally, the members of the international community should directly extend a helping hand to the Turkish Cypriots, so that they no longer feel isolated.