Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

The editorial in today’s Sunday Mail says that for several weeks now, the UN has been at pains to make the Cyprus government understand that the stuttering peace process will not be allowed to drag on indefinitely, as seems to be the prevailing view in Nicosia. He first made this point after a visit to New York, during a break in the talks, and has repeated it publicly at every given opportunity.


This week the UN Security Council also made reference to an end of year deadline in the preamble of the draft resolution for the renewal of the UNFICYP mandate, but the Cyprus government objected to this and managed to have it slightly modified. It had the phrase ‘if possible’ added to the resolution’s expression of hope for a solution in 2010, and blamed Britain for introducing the time-frame, when it was clear this had the support of the Security Council as well as Ban. The European Commission also supports the time-frame – if there is no deal this year it will approve the direct trade regulation, it has warned.


In view of all this, how is it possible for the Christofias government to still be in denial and repeat the hackneyed slogan, which has become gospel for our political leadership, of ‘no to asphyxiating or artificial time-frames’? This nonsensical slogan was coined during the presidency of Tassos Papadopoulos, who did not want a settlement, so why was it zealously adopted by Christofias, who supposedly does? Perhaps he had hoped to keep the talks going until the end of his term, which is supported by his insistence on a slow-paced procedure.

But after almost two years of talks, only a fool would argue that a November deadline was ‘asphyxiating’ or ‘artificial’. By November the peace talks will have been going on for 27 months. If an agreement cannot be secured within this time, no sane person can believe that it will be achieved in the subsequent three years. Hence the deadline. If there is substantial progress by November and the UN consider a deal achievable, the deadline might be extended by a few months, but if there is not, the Good Offices Mission would be wound up, without the dreaded international conference and arbitration.

Christofias is smart enough to be aware of the stark choice he faces. Either he works constructively for a deal in the next few months or he starts playing tactical games in the hope that he would not be blamed for the breakdown. His refusal to attend the scheduled meeting 10 days ago indicated that he may have gone for the second option.

But this will not be as easy as he expects because Dervis Eroglu, on strict instructions from Ankara, is playing ball. And if there is one side, at least in the eyes of the UN and the EU, which has been dragging its feet it has been the Greek Cypriot side which opposed time-frames and repeatedly rejected the intensification of the procedure. Saying ‘no’ to a time-frame now can only be interpreted as opposition to an agreement, but Christofias seems incapable of understanding this simple truth, which means he will also lose in the blame game.


Property issue on agenda

An article in Politis says that as from Tuesday the property issue will come to the forefront of the agenda in the talks. What is being sought is a magic formula that would safeguard the rights of the legal owners of property without ignoring present users, while at the same time maintaining the element of bizonality. The key is to find a balance between compensation, restitution, and exchange of property. The paper says the international community has made clear to the Turkish side that the Greek side must obtain gains in the property issue if it is to have gains as far as government are concerned.

The paper says Downer’s team includes internation experts on property matters headed by an American lawyer Jeff Bates, who has a name for finding solutions to complex property issues along a win-win basis.

[cymart]

Or will it be just another wasted effort-and probably the last?

[YFred]

I fear we've had the last.

[Nikitas]

What the dinosaurs do not want to think about is that bizonality is a paper construct. If there is any semblance of EU aquis incorporated in the settlement, then people will be able to own property, work and invest all over the island. Even if they are not, there is that other EU rule that states that you cannot look and identify the shareholders in the case of public companies (those quoted in the stock exchange) set up in the EU. So companies can buy land on the "other side" even if they are GC or TC controlled.

The combination of all these rules is that bizonality will be mostly theoretical. Each side will have its own bit which they can govern, but people will gravitate to where the jobs and money is. It is like that in all federal jurisdictions, why should Cyprus be any different.

It will be intersting to see what land compensation scheme this American expert comes up with. And whether his scheme will stand the test of the EU aquis.

[humanist]

why is the UN wanting a time frame for a solution to the Cyprus problem when they have none for Palestine and Israel.

The UN should watch carefully a what decisions they make because a solution with a disadvantage of the GC could lead to further problems in the future. Would I want to intermix with a TC who feels they are justified in taking someone elses land.

[humanist]

There is only one solution for Cyprus and it is the job of the UN to enforce its resolutions, Turkish troops to leave Cyprus immediately, those TC"s that revere Turkey so much can seek to immigrate the rest that want a united fair Cyprus can stay and work hard to developing their country as much as the next Cypriot.

Nikitas you are correct to mention the EU laws and lets see how Britain will get around that.

The problem is the UN knows that if they were to force Turkey out as they are trying to do with the Taliban in Afganistan WWIII might break out because Turkey only solves problems with wars and abuse of human rights. However, a resolution to stick some tough economic sanctions would be a helpful step.

[repulsewarrior]

again, the word Bizonal, its definition taken so lightly; it does not mean tearing the island in two...

the displaced cannot be dismissed so easily, there is a right of return. similarly, realities 'on the ground' cannot be ignored. most importantly, all Cypriots must demonstrate their commitment to Basic Human Rights if ever peace is to take root.

thus, for some at least a return as communities is necessary. so too the consideration of those who will be displaced by the normalisation of the Problem. nothing does this better than components to each constituency, many parts that make up an adminstrative zone.

call them anything you want, but enclaves provide for us many choices which suit these needs.

Justice must be seen to be respected, the 'fait accompli' does not provide us with this requirement, whereas a bold act such as this does.