Cyprus: strenuous efforts to further unification

Steve Katsineris

New steps announced by the government of Cyprus show its 
continued resolve to support efforts for a viable and 
comprehensive solution to the Cyprus conflict. As part of its 
ongoing efforts to promote improved relations and make positive 
initiatives towards the Turkish Cypriot side, the Cyprus 
Government has recently put forward a package of wide-ranging 
confidence building measures intended to benefit both communities 
and to encourage further co-operation.

In a statement on July 16, the Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros 
Chrysostomides said, "The Government of Cyprus in its efforts to 
reduce tensions, enhance the climate of cooperation and 
confidence among the two communities, materialising its ultimate 
goal of the reunification of the country, has taken a series of 
measures that serve this purpose." The proposed measures were:

* The opening of eight further crossing points along the 
ceasefire line

* The process of de-mining (which has already been started 
unilaterally by the Cyprus Government within the buffer zone)

* The disengagement of military forces in the walled town of 
Nicosia and the Derineia-Famagusta area, the limitation of 
military maneuvers across the ceasefire line and to extend two 
kilometers each side.

Furthermore, the government has suggested the return of the 
closed town of Famagusta, which remains empty. The government 
stated that the freeing of the town is a prerequisite for further 
discussions in relation of the operation of the Famagusta port. 
The port could be operated for the benefit of both communities.

The UN, the EU, the US and much of the international community 
received the announcement of the measures as positive and welcome 
steps in the right direction. Unfortunately the Turkish Cypriot 
leadership and the Turkish Government were quick to reject the 
measures. The world should be asking why they would reject such 
practical and reasonable offers.

If Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot regime really want a settlement 
of the Cyprus issue, then these important smaller steps need be 
settled and built on to encourage trust and show that the 
essential bigger issues can be truly resolved. These sensible and 
realistic approaches by the Cyprus Government are the key to 
advancing the process of reunification and offer the right 
opportunity for the EU and the rest of the international 
community to let the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leadership know 
this.

Despite this negative response the Cyprus Government said it was 
discussing further initiatives with the European Union to be 
announced at a later stage. For its part, the Cypriot Government 
and people have consistently sent a clear message that they are 
truly working towards a just and workable settlement of the 
Cyprus problem. The initiatives of the Cypriot side deserve 
support. We can all play our part by pushing for the Australian 
Government and other countries to support the genuine efforts of 
Cyprus to resolve the division of the island.