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INCREDIBLE TIMING, MR SECRETARY-GENERAL
By Benon Sevan
AZG Armenian Daily
02/04/2008
International
Like most Cypriots, I welcomed the successful meeting held between
the President of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Demetris Christofias,
and the Turkish Cypriot Leader, H.E. Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, on March 21,
at the residence of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative
in Cyprus, Mr Michael Moller.
Speaking on behalf of the leaders, Mr Moller, who worked very hard
with all concerned in helping set the stage for the meeting, announced
afterwards that the two leaders had met "in a very positive and cordial
atmosphere" and that their exchange of views on a number of issues had
achieved "a great degree of convergence". The two leaders, he said,
had decided to ask their respective advisers to meet this week in
order "to set up a number of working groups and technical committees,
establish their agendas, and to do so in the most expeditious way
possible." Beginning Monday, March 24, Presidential Commissioner
George Iacovou and Mr Ozdil Nami were to meet daily in order to set
up the working groups and technical committees, thus emphasising the
determination of the two leaders to proceed expeditiously with the
understandings reached at Friday's meeting.
Furthermore, Mr Moller announced that "in taking full responsibility
for the conduct of future negotiations," the leaders had also agreed
to meet "three months from now to review the work of the working
groups and technical committees, and using their results, to start
full-fledged negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General
of the United Nations." The two had "also agreed to meet as and when
needed prior to the commencement of their formal negotiations."
The outcome constitutes a groundbreaking first step in the right
direction. Given the commitment and determination of the two leaders,
this breakthrough could and should promote the positive political
environment so essential for the success of the future negotiations
towards a comprehensive Cyprus settlement. The international community
has welcomed the positive outcome of the meeting and has expressed its
readiness to lend full support to the efforts to reach a negotiated
settlement.
No one doubts that difficulties will be encountered in the intensive
preparatory process that will lead to the start of the full-fledged
negotiations in three months' time. The United Nations is expected
to help facilitate the meetings of the working groups and technical
committees which will hold intensive meetings during the coming
three months.
All the more incredible, therefore, to learn that Mr Moller's
assignment as Special Representative comes to an end on March 29, when
he departs Cyprus, where he has served for just over two years. In
addition to the proven excellence of Moller's diplomatic skills,
the departing SRSG has a sound knowledge of the Cyprus question. He
knows the issues and he knows the leaders and personalities of
both communities well. His continued services and contribution at
this crucial stage of developments on the island would have been
invaluable at this time to all parties concerned. All the more reason
why it is difficult to fathom the thinking of Secretary-General Ban Ki
moon. While urging Cypriots "to move from talks to real engagement",
the Secretary-General paradoxically allows his experienced envoy
to depart the island just when it is about to face this crucial and
testing opportunity that could well determine its future.
Moreover, Mr Moller leaves his post without even an announcement from
the Secretary-General as to who will permanently replace him. All
we have from the United Nations is that the Secretary-General
is dispatching Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, UN Under-Secretary-General for
Political Affairs, heading a team that would "engage in dialogue with
all stakeholders" in Cyprus.
A little dialogue beforehand would have helped. Mr Pascoe arrives
in Cyprus on Sunday, March 30, the day after the departure of Mr
Moller. Incredible timing, Mr. Secretary-General.
By Benon Sevan
AZG Armenian Daily
02/04/2008
International
Like most Cypriots, I welcomed the successful meeting held between
the President of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Demetris Christofias,
and the Turkish Cypriot Leader, H.E. Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, on March 21,
at the residence of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative
in Cyprus, Mr Michael Moller.
Speaking on behalf of the leaders, Mr Moller, who worked very hard
with all concerned in helping set the stage for the meeting, announced
afterwards that the two leaders had met "in a very positive and cordial
atmosphere" and that their exchange of views on a number of issues had
achieved "a great degree of convergence". The two leaders, he said,
had decided to ask their respective advisers to meet this week in
order "to set up a number of working groups and technical committees,
establish their agendas, and to do so in the most expeditious way
possible." Beginning Monday, March 24, Presidential Commissioner
George Iacovou and Mr Ozdil Nami were to meet daily in order to set
up the working groups and technical committees, thus emphasising the
determination of the two leaders to proceed expeditiously with the
understandings reached at Friday's meeting.
Furthermore, Mr Moller announced that "in taking full responsibility
for the conduct of future negotiations," the leaders had also agreed
to meet "three months from now to review the work of the working
groups and technical committees, and using their results, to start
full-fledged negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General
of the United Nations." The two had "also agreed to meet as and when
needed prior to the commencement of their formal negotiations."
The outcome constitutes a groundbreaking first step in the right
direction. Given the commitment and determination of the two leaders,
this breakthrough could and should promote the positive political
environment so essential for the success of the future negotiations
towards a comprehensive Cyprus settlement. The international community
has welcomed the positive outcome of the meeting and has expressed its
readiness to lend full support to the efforts to reach a negotiated
settlement.
No one doubts that difficulties will be encountered in the intensive
preparatory process that will lead to the start of the full-fledged
negotiations in three months' time. The United Nations is expected
to help facilitate the meetings of the working groups and technical
committees which will hold intensive meetings during the coming
three months.
All the more incredible, therefore, to learn that Mr Moller's
assignment as Special Representative comes to an end on March 29, when
he departs Cyprus, where he has served for just over two years. In
addition to the proven excellence of Moller's diplomatic skills,
the departing SRSG has a sound knowledge of the Cyprus question. He
knows the issues and he knows the leaders and personalities of
both communities well. His continued services and contribution at
this crucial stage of developments on the island would have been
invaluable at this time to all parties concerned. All the more reason
why it is difficult to fathom the thinking of Secretary-General Ban Ki
moon. While urging Cypriots "to move from talks to real engagement",
the Secretary-General paradoxically allows his experienced envoy
to depart the island just when it is about to face this crucial and
testing opportunity that could well determine its future.
Moreover, Mr Moller leaves his post without even an announcement from
the Secretary-General as to who will permanently replace him. All
we have from the United Nations is that the Secretary-General
is dispatching Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, UN Under-Secretary-General for
Political Affairs, heading a team that would "engage in dialogue with
all stakeholders" in Cyprus.
A little dialogue beforehand would have helped. Mr Pascoe arrives
in Cyprus on Sunday, March 30, the day after the departure of Mr
Moller. Incredible timing, Mr. Secretary-General.