A
Step-wise Approach to Resolution of the Cyprus Problem
Stelios
Georgiades
8
February 2005
After numerous, unsuccessful attempts to resolve the Cyprus Problem over a 30-year period, it is time for the United Nations to try and approach the issue from a different angle. Instead of trying to develop a ‘comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem” (i.e. recent Annan Plan that was democratically rejected by 76% of the Greek Cypriots), the UN should focus on potential ways of establishing a sense of “Cyprus Citizenship” on the island while negotiations for a comprehensive resolution are underway.
It is now obvious, for various military and geopolitical reasons, that the United States and the United Kingdom would like to “link” the Cyprus Problem to the potential accession of Turkey to the European Union, something that could or could not happen 10-20 years down the road. Unfortunately, Cyprus does not have the luxury of remaining divided and occupied for so long. The people of Cyprus have the human right to feel free and safe in their own country.
The presence of any foreign military powers (i.e. Turkish occupying forces, Greek military units, British military bases) or the potential military intervention by a foreign country, are the first obstacles that have to be removed in order to clear the road to a truly free and independent Cyprus. In other words, the “Treaty of Guarantee” (1960) and the “Treaty of Alliance” (1960) that gives Turkey, Greece, and the UK the right to maintain troops on the island and intervene unilaterally at any time they “judge that the sovereignty of Cyprus is threatened” should be terminated. It is worth noting that no other country in the world has an agreement of such kind with foreign countries.
In the mean time, during the transitional period between now and a potential solution of the Cyprus Problem or accession of Turkey to the EU (whichever one comes first), Cyprus needs an international peacekeeping/policing force led and monitored by both the UN and the EU. After all, the European Union has recently taken a similar military operation, by formally taking over NATO's peacekeeping mission in Bosnia (non-member of EU) with 7,000 troops. Why not use a similar EU approach for Cyprus?
What is described above should not be considered a substitute for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus Problem. It is only a First Step which could lay the groundwork for honest and productive negotiations that would lead to the reunification of the island.
