Cyprus-Forum.com

[Big Al]

Boomers,
If you're out there i think you'll agree, posting this clown to un special envoy for cyprus is a mistake!!



June 30, 2008 07:13pm
ALEXANDER Downer has confirmed he will quit politics and work as a United Nations special envoy to help peace talks in the long divided island of Cyprus.

Mr Downer, in London for private discussions about his future life after politics, said yesterday he was looking forward to the new challenge.

He said it would be more hard work but something he relished.

"No, no time for fishing, too busy for that," he joked yesterday outside the deluxe 5-star Berkley Hotel in central London.

"I will be working toward helping the Cyprus saga, working as an envoy to try and resolve that long standing issue."

Mr Downer was accompanied on the trip by his son Edward.

The 56-year-old former foreign minister is expected to formally announce his retirement from federal politics, after 24 years, to Parliament this week.

Late last week he met with United Nations officials in New York to discuss a previously mooted position as special envoy to assist peace talks on the divided island of Cyprus.

It is understood the role will be part time and Mr Downer would also concentrate on working for a corporate advisory firm Bespoke Approach.

Last month, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd confirmed the UN had approached Mr Downer to act as its interlocutor in reviving the peace process between the Greeks and Turks on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

"What the Government has said quite clearly is that, should they extend that invitation to Mr Downer, we would support it," Mr Rudd said.

"We would support it on a bipartisan basis because it would be an important appointment for Australia as a special envoy."

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has also supported Mr Downer's UN move.

As foreign minister Mr Downer was actively involved in engaging both the Turkish and Greek governments over the Cyprus issue and on more than one occasion raised it with top UN and EU officials.

"Australia also has a humanitarian interest in the resolution of the Cyprus dispute due to the involvement of its large communities of Cypriot, Greek and Turkish origin," Mr Downer said of the issue in 2000.

"Australia remains keen to assist in the search for a just and lasting settlement on Cyprus to the benefit of all parties."