SOMETIMES, in its exquisitely balanced approach to the nastier side of
human nature, the United Nations is a pain in the neck. Just
occasionally there is a need for a sterner approach, a firm telling-off
or even a smack on the wrist. Cyprus is an excellent example, indeed
there is none better. Twenty years ago a brief coup in Nicosia triggered
a Turkish invasion of the island on behalf of Turkish Cypriots. The
fighting which followed was relatively brief though much human misery
was involved. The overwhelming force of Turkish arms forced Greek
Cypriots to flee from several areas and the resulting cease-fire line
enshrines various absurdities and deserted communities. The Turkish
Cypriot ''state'' in the north is recognised only by the Turks and has
been kept apart from the Greek Cypriot state in the south by a UN force.
The UN has laboured long and hard at persuading both parties to move
towards reunification under a federal state. The chosen path has been to
propose a series of confidence-building measures, the most recent of
which involves the reopening of Nicosia airport and of a deserted nearby
resort under UN control. The theory is that this would allow meaningful
contact between the two communities and a reduction in the estrangement
between them. By any measure the latest proposals are the most flexible,
intelligent, and forward-looking to be presented for many years. Further
impetus to accept them should have come from clear signals that nations
participating in the UN force in Cyprus are thoroughly sick of the whole
business and are keen to retrieve their troops. Yet though the Greek
Cypriots have accepted the UN proposals the Turkish Cypriots appear to
have rejected them.
Congratulations, then, to UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
for losing his temper, if a little late in the day. Boutros-Ghali has
blamed the Turkish Cypriots for lacking the political will to move the
process forward and has warned them that the consequences for the
Turkish Cypriot community could be grave. Given the outrageous flouting
of UN resolutions in recent years there must be doubt about the effects
of his warning, but there may well be benefits from a denunciation of
those responsible for this ridiculous state of affairs. The
secretary-general's statement has flustered the Turkish Cypriots and
rattled a Turkish government which has plenty of problems of its own.
Time will tell whether real benefits will now flow, but the value of
plain speaking has been enhanced.
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