Esra Aygin
The informal dinner of the leaders with UN Secretary-General on 25 November was positive in that finally put an end to divergence from UN parameters and past agreements, and also the debate over the 30 June Guterres framework. The UN should have done this before, but better late then never. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment and determination for a settlement based on bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality as set out in the relevant SC resolutions, including 716 (1991), which also talks about effective participation. They also reaffirmed commitment on past convergences and 30 June Guterres framework.
However, when you look at the big picture, we are actually back to where we were at Crans Montana in the summer of 2017. After almost 2.5 years of stalemate, including 18 months of UN consultations and loss of precious time , there is no agreement on terms of reference (which was the worse idea ever) or a clear indication on when the negotiations will resume. When the UNSG required agreement on a terms of reference 18 months ago, I wrote that this would lead to years of negotiations on the terms of reference (basically negotiations about negotiations). I hate to be proven right.
Why are we here?
All relevant sides have their share of responsibility in this (including civil society for self-criticism) but I find UN’s stance on Cyprus and what goes on here, almost insulting. The Secretary-General knows better than most what happened in and after Crans Montana. Yet, he allowed the sides to argue over the date of his 6-point framework for months, called for new ideas knowing very well what the consequences would be, and in the name of “being neutral” concealed what is actually preventing the resumption of negotiations. If the Secretary General is indeed sincere when he says “this time it is different” he should start telling the truth in his reports. We don’t want to read only about how many farmers conducted illegal activities in the buffer zone and how many meetings UN had.
All relevant sides have their share of responsibility in this (including civil society for self-criticism) but I find UN’s stance on Cyprus and what goes on here, almost insulting. The Secretary-General knows better than most what happened in and after Crans Montana. Yet, he allowed the sides to argue over the date of his 6-point framework for months, called for new ideas knowing very well what the consequences would be, and in the name of “being neutral” concealed what is actually preventing the resumption of negotiations. If the Secretary General is indeed sincere when he says “this time it is different” he should start telling the truth in his reports. We don’t want to read only about how many farmers conducted illegal activities in the buffer zone and how many meetings UN had.
Tell us, Mr. Secretary General, why there is no progress whatsoever on what you and the Security Council have been calling for...
Tell us why the Security Council’s call on the leaders that they prepare the communities for a settlement through harmonized public messages on convergences has not been adhered to...
Tell us why your call to the sides to cooperate on environmental, criminal and migration issues, has not been followed...
Tell us why your call to the sides to cooperate on environmental, criminal and migration issues, has not been followed...
Tell us why the technical committees still do not have full political backing despite your calls...
Tell us why there has been no change on divergent school curricula and conflicting and divisive narratives about the past that, in your words, “remain a serious obstacle to reconciliation and peaceful coexistence on the island.” Why haven’t the leaders not following your call to ‘facilitate sustained, island-wide student exchanges in order to promote peace education at all levels and to pursue the joint recommendations made by the Bi-Communal Technical Committee on Education to the leaders in November 2017’?
Tell us precisely how concerns relating to “recognition” (despite UNSC resolution 550) are preventing the addressing of island-wide issues (as called for by UNSC), large-scale trust building and closer cooperation and contact...
Highlight the risks to peace and security of using the media to blow out of proportion tensions in the buffer zone, which is proof of wanting revenge and not a solution...
Stress already how the policy of isolating Turkish Cypriots even at NGO level does not bring them closer to a settlement but closer to Turkey (which basically means everyone is shooting themselves in their own feet)
Tell us why there has been no progress in strengthening the participation of civil society, in particular women and young people in the process...
If this time it is indeed different, the people of Cyprus deserve to know Mr. Guterres! What has each leader done and not done to implement the SC resolutions? Don’t just tell us the sides could not agree! If there is no consequence for not respecting the SC Resolutions, how do you expect any progress towards one Cyprus? If this time it is indeed different, hold the sides responsible and accountable!
And please Mr. Guterres, don’t keep taking us in circles back to square one and expect us to be happy...
(Photo by Tobias Hofsaess/United NAtions/AFP]
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