UN Secretary General might not get involved in the process
Cyprus EU Association has evaluated the conditions for the United Nations Secretary General for a full resumption of the good offices effort:
Community representatives to show political will, to honour their signatures under the 8 July Agreement and to turn these into concrete actions are pre-conditions.
“The Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem”, known by the name of the Secretary General of the day, was rejected at the referendums and therefore did not enter into force. Until 8 July 2006, reciprocal recrimination by the parties for the status quo went on and they did their best to upgrade and preserve their images.
Soon after the referendums, Secretary General Annan in his first report in May 2004 stated that: while the plan is legally null and void in the aftermath of the referendum, its acceptance by the Turkish Cypriot electorate meant that the shape of any final settlement to reunify Cyprus would appear to be set.
With the contribution of the Under Secretary General for Political Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, parties had agreed on 8 July 2006 to start a new peace process. This agreement is now the latest official UN document which have been agreed on and signed by the parties and binds them, of which the UN is expecting its implementation.
8 July Agreement in short; refers to relevant Security Council resolutions and reiterates on bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality settlement. It was signed by the community representatives where recorded that comprehensive solution was wished, there was a need for negotiations to start and for its success, an end should be put to the so called “blame game”.
Following the election of Mr. Christofias as the President of the Republic of Cyprus, a new initiative to come from the UN will be based on the conditions expressed in the Secretary General’s reports and UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus which emerged after 8 July 2006.
The Secretary General Kofi Annan in his report on 1 December 2006 expressed his dismay on the parties on their negative spirit towards the 8 July Agreement, who committed themselves to contribute for a favourable atmosphere and urged them to implement the agreement as soon as possible and expressed that “this process should prepare the way for the political negotiations under the UN mission of good offices”. And had made it clear to both of them that “what is important is not a declaration of intent but action from both sides to narrow the gap between words and action” and indicate to him and his successor that “they are ready to resume and move ahead in earnest with talks aimed at settling the Cyprus issue.” The Security Council resolution on 15 December endorsed this report and asked the parties to implement the 8 July Agreement without further delay.
Just like Mr. K. Annan, the new Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in his report of 4 June 2008 expressed that the 8 July Agreement had not yet been implemented and that both sides needed to show deeds for their words and Security Council fully endorsed this report.
To clarify the UN’s stands, the 3 December 2007 report has made it clear that ”the 8 July agreement and subsequent agreed procedural clarifications are aimed at facilitating direct talks, not blocking them. And only the required political will, translated into concrete actions, will provide an opportunity for progress and possible new initiatives.” On 17 DecemberSecurity Council gave its full support to the report and called upon all parties immediately to engage constructively and make measurable progress.
Messages in the official UN documents should be comprehended correctly. Annan plan was not accepted, it is legally null and void but it remains the only foreseeable basis to achieve a settlement. The Secretary General has to be convinced that the 8 July 2006 process will lead to constructive negotiations. It must be well understood by the parties that the UN institution and Secretary General will not be convinced by words anymore and preconditions for resumption of negotiations are political will and constructive engagement in line with 8 July agreement.
The new process will only begin when the Secretary General appoints a new Special Adviser. Preconditions required by the UN for this are for both community representatives to show political will, honour their signatures under 8 July Agreement and turn these into concrete actions.
The preconditions put forward by Mr. Talat in his letter to Secretary General pretending as though he is bargaining even before getting to the negotiations table is beyond the expectations of the Secretary General. For the Turkish side; this new process will turn into a new opportunity with Mr. Christofias who seems to be congruous with the UN position, if only Mr. Talat’s signature is honoured under 8 July Agreement and shapes into concrete actions.
Ali Erel
President