Photo: Lisa Buttenheim in Pink jacket
The UN believe that a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus remains within reach, provided that the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities show good faith and political will to work in this direction, according to the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and Chief of Mission Lisa Buttenheim.
In an interview with CNA, she said the UN cannot abandon the search for a solution as long as the UN is requested to assist, noting at the same time that the success of the peacekeeping force depends on the support of the Cypriots themselves.
The Chief of Mission indicated that newfound wealth from natural resources in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic zone could act as a catalyst towards a political settlement, which would in turn engender deeper cooperation among all stakeholders in the region.
In her interview, Buttenheim said she is a strong advocate of increased inter-communal contact and dialogue, which help build trust and understanding, noting also that the two sides must move forward with confidence building measures (CBM), already agreed between the two communities.
Invited to identify the main sticking point that has prevented the two sides from reaching an agreement, she replied: “There is no single “sticking point”. Even if the respective issues under discussion are well known to both sides – namely, governance and power-sharing, economy, EU matters, property, territory, security and guarantees, and the related sensitive question of citizenship in a united Cyprus – these are, and have always been, immensely complicated negotiations.”
“A lack of trust persists. It is essential that good faith and political will be shown by both sides in order to achieve the necessary compromises that will result in the comprehensive settlement that has eluded Cypriots for so long,” she pointed out.
On the possibility of a multilateral conference on Cyprus, she stressed that “ultimately there will only be a settlement if common ground is shared between the two sides” and explained: “as I alluded to in response to your question about what are the sticking points, both sides will have to make difficult compromises in order to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement on well-known issues.”
Buttenheim recalled that the Secretary-General will want to be sure that such a conference has been well prepared and that there is a good chance for it to succeed.
“The UN remains committed to assist the sides and believes a solution remains within reach,” she told CNA.
Asked on the possible impact the exploration for natural resources within Cyprus` EEZ could have on the peace process, she acknowledged that the rise in tensions and rhetoric around the exploration for natural resources is a matter of concern.
“At the same time, a majority of observers also agree that, if handled correctly, the matter could be a catalyst for a solution. The sides have already agreed that natural resources will be a competence of the federal government,” she noted.
At a time of a world economic crisis, to which Cyprus is not immune, she remarked, the benefits emerging from such resources could help to underpin a united Cyprus.
“The Secretary-General has stated that that it is important to ensure that any newfound wealth from natural resources, which belong to all Cypriots, will benefit both communities. This should be a further incentive to finding a durable solution to the Cyprus problem, which in turn would engender a deeper cooperation among all stakeholders in the region,” she told CNA.
Replying to a question about the work of the technical committees, she recalled that their purpose is to find solutions to the problems that ordinary people experience on a daily basis because of the division on the island.
Noting that their focus is setting up and implementing meaningful joint projects, she said they are resuming work now, after the summer break, adding that a Focal Point has been appointed by each Representative to work with the Technical Committees and the Focal Points will meet in the coming days to discuss the work ahead.
Questioned about CBMs which might be put forward to help the peace process, she said there are a host of CBMs which should be agreed upon by the sides and implemented together, which include military confidence-building measures, such as the unmanning and/or closing of observation posts along the line, especially in old town Nicosia where the opposing forces are in close proximity.
The two communities, she said, have agreed to reinvigorate the Technical Committees in areas such as crime and criminal matters, economic and commercial matters, cultural heritage, crisis management, humanitarian matters, health and the environment.
“The sides agreed on some 23 measures in 2008. It is time to move forward with these and other measures to improve the daily lives of Cypriots, and to help build trust in a common future,” she pointed out.
Invited to assess the effectiveness of UNFICYP in fulfilling its mandate, the SPSG in Cyprus recalled that UNFICYP’s mandate is to prevent a recurrence of fighting, to encourage the maintenance of law and order, and to support a return to normal conditions.
“There is no doubt that the Mission continues to be successful. At the same time, the nature of the task has changed over the years,” she said, recalling that no ceasefire agreement between the parties in Cyprus was ever signed, nor has the 180-km buffer zone ever been clearly demarcated.
Buttenheim referred to fewer military violations, only to note that UNFICYP’s resources and authority are constantly under challenge from small-scale violations and almost daily unauthorized civilian activities close to the opposing forces.
“It is precisely UNFICYP’s ability to pay close attention to these details, which has maintained the peace for so long and so effectively,” she stressed.
Replying to another question on the operations of UNFICYP, she referred to mine clearance in the buffer zone, saying that so far neither side has heeded repeated clear and consistent calls by the Security Council to allow access to UN deminers, and extend operations beyond the buffer zone.
Asked how much longer the UN can maintain a peacekeeping force on the island, she referred to the latest SC deliberations on the matter and added: “UNFICYP also depends on the readiness of member states to continue to provide troops and police who carry out vital tasks alongside the civilians who serve within the mission. Ultimately of course the success of the peacekeeping force, as is true of any other peacekeeping operation, depends on the support of the Cypriots themselves.”
Asked how the crossings to and from the island’s northern Turkish-occupied areas have affected the situation on the ground, she declared herself a “firm believer in greater inter-communal contact and dialogue”, pointing out that “this will help build trust and understanding of each other’s perspectives, not only on what happened in the past, but how to build a future together.”
UNFICYP, she added, is proud to have played its part in making that happen, and we are ready to facilitate further, recalling that prior to 2003, Cypriots used to meet either through UN facilitation or abroad.
In April 2003, the Turkish Cypriot regime lifted partial restrictions it had imposed on the movement of people. This led to a constant stream of visits on both sides of the divide.
Invited to compare the situation on the island two years on since her arrival in Cyprus, she attested to the intensive efforts made by everyone involved, the leaders, the representatives and their respective delegations, by SASG (Alexander) Downer and his team and, not least, by Secretary-General himself.
Referring to the Cypriot-led, Cypriot-owned process in search of a comprehensive settlement, she acknowledged that this can prove frustrating at times.
However, she said that “we cannot abandon the search as long as we are requested to assist, and with the full backing of the Security Council in this endeavour.”
UNFICYP, she continued, “without fanfare quietly achieves a great deal every day.”
“One of its purposes is to ensure calm and stability so that negotiations for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus – the overarching goal – will not be distracted by incidents that might occur inside the buffer zone, or indeed outside the buffer zone which can lead to inter-communal tensions,” she concluded.
UNFICYP arrived in Cyprus in March 1964 after intercommunal fighting broke out. It comprises some 1,000 men and women from various troop-contributing countries. Cyprus remains divided since 1974 when Turkish invaded and occupied 37 per cent of Cyprus territory, as a long string of UN-led peace talks have failed to yield results.
