Cyprus-Forum.com

[paliometoxo]

The United Nations yesterday warned that it wouldn't stick around forever on Cyprus while both sides avoid any meaningful engagement to undo decades of inertia.

UNFICYP is one of the longest serving missions in UN history but there is a growing indication that patience is beginning to wear thin.

"We are often asked: How much longer will the international community wait for a settlement? What more can UNFICYP do after 44 years here?" said chief of mission Michael Moller at a parade ceremony at the UN compound in Nicosia.

"The time has come for serious negotiation. The window of opportunity we have this year will not remain forever," he added.

With presidential elections coming up on February 17 there has been much talk of a fresh UN initiative to revive stalled peace talks frozen since the Annan Plan was rejected.

And Moller dismissed any suggestion that the UN was ready to get its fingers burnt in unilateral efforts to bring Greek and Turkish Cypriots closer to the negotiating table.

"It has been clear for some time now, that rather than launching a new initiative on its own, the UN will support good faith efforts on the part of both sides to restart talks and work for a solution."

But the UN official questioned whether there was the "necessary political will" among the island's leaders to "sit down and negotiate seriously to find a solution, for the greater good of their people".

"The answer to that question lies, as does the key to a settlement, not with us, but with Cypriots themselves."

Apart

With no prospect of a breakthrough in sight, the international community is beginning to wonder whether it should devote so many resources to Cyprus where the UN deploys 868 troops from 12 different countries.

"Can the resources devoted to the search for a solution be put to better use in critical situations elsewhere?" Moller queried.

A rare face-to-face encounter between Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and President Tassos Papadopoulos last September left the two sides miles apart on the way forward.

Papadopoulos insists that for effective settlement talks to take place, committees agreed by the two leaders on July 8, 2006 must first prepare the ground, while Talat seems to be pulling in a different direction.

As a result, the UN-endorsed twin-track process leading to substantive talks has yet to leave the starting blocks.

"A lot of people in the international community are reaching the end of their tether. Cyprus is important but there are more serious world trouble spots - like Somalia and Afghanistan - that need our attention," a diplomatic source told The Cyprus Weekly.

"Proposing a plan from the outside is not going to work if there is no real engagement or effort to take responsibility."

[phoenix]

Somalia, Afghanistan ... I really pity them ...

Because in the end the International community are only interested in Cyprus ...


And that is our downfall ...

We are too important no matter how exasperated they try to sound!

They all need us ...

Turkey, Britain, US, Israel ...

We are lost, and yet ....

..... we can turn this to our advantage.

We must start calling the shots!


Why are we so timid? Grab the bull by the horns!

[purdey]

At last get out now!!!!! there is no need for the UN to be there.

[phoenix]

purdey .... you are mad!

[Expatkiwi]

purdey .... you are mad!

Or the sanest one on the forum...

[phoenix]

purdey .... you are mad!

Or the sanest one on the forum...

[purdey]

Why shoud the UN waste resources on Cyprus.I see no mass killings,people rampaging through the streets.Maybe if the UN was not there,you may have to start thinking of living together.Regarding the Uk why do we need Cyprus ? I would also give you back the bases,and restrict entry to the UK if not in a position to work.