Breakthrough UN Deal Sealed on Cyprus Unity Talks

[papau]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=3&u=/nm/20040213/ts_nm/cyprus_dc

Breakthrough UN Deal Sealed on Cyprus Unity Talks
By Irwin Arieff

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on Friday accepted a U.N. plan for reaching a deal on reunifying Cyprus before its May 1 entry into the European Union, a crucial breakthrough capping three decades of failed diplomacy over the Mediterranean island. <snip>

His goal was to convince Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to commit in advance to submitting the results of those negotiations to separate referendums in the north and south on April 21. <snip>

In a compromise, the final pact allowed European Union experts to participate in a technical committee on financial and economic matters. Another key sticking point was resolved when both sides agreed to let Annan fill in any gaps in a final agreement on which the two sides deadlocked.


In case of deadlock by a March 22 deadline, Turkey and Greece would be brought in for a week of intensive negotiations, and if that failed, "I have the right to complete the plan," with a goal of a final text by March 29, he said. <snip>


Annan's blueprint for a Cypriot state foresees a weak central government over a federation of two ethnic zones. (Additional reporting by Gareth Jones in Ankara, Brian Williams in Athens and Michele Kambas in Nicosia)

[On the Road]

1. Sounds Like a Solution That Might Work

"a weak central government over a federation of two ethnic zones."

Harper's referred to the situation in Cyprus as" "a hateful peace emerges." It's too soon for unity, but central governments tend to gain strength over time. Entrance into the EU will help Cyprus function as a single entity in a larger group of nations.

The effects of civil war and ethnic violence endure for decades, if nto generations. Many of the people who started this in the 70's are dead, and yet the effects will linger for a long time.

[papau]

2. You are correct - but the start of the end of conflict is good.

I can remember being told story after story of the 40 or so ethnic/national/city/religious groups that I was supposed to hate because of evil done to the family over the prior 150 years.

It was just too much work - and we had friends in each group who were "exceptions" - it never made sense.

But I am glad to see the start of the end.

[aneerkoinos]

3. Greek and Turkish Cypriots

have had surprisingly little "ethnic" problems, since the border was opened few months ago - few fistfights mainly. There has been lot of feelings of the other kind, love, friendship, understanding...

The unity is long overdue, the only real ethnic problem is the Denktash hatespeek to stay in power, which he managed with the support of Turkish immigrants (who should have no vote) when overwhelming majority of Turkish Cypriots supported peace and joining EU together with their compatriots.

Hooray for Annan and EU, and the people of Cyprus!

[On the Road]

4. Really -- I Didn't Know This!

that speaks well for the future.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

5. If there is a resolution.

I think it should be commemorated by putting Henry Kissinger in a public square. Then let the people personally thank him for all the good work he did on their behalf three decades ago. Of course they should get to choose how to properly "thank" him.