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  • Incredible Timing, Mr. Secretary-General

    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.
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