I HAVE THE impression that Alexander Downer is unaware that for the last two years, American stretch limousines are being imported into Cyprus for newlyweds to rent as transport during their wedding.
So what do luxury limos have to do with Mr Downer and the work he was assigned to do by the Secretary General of the United Nations?
The limos, of course, are imported in our island independently of his presence and will continue to be imported after he completes – successfully or unsuccessfully – the work he was assigned to do. I consider, however, that it would be possible for Mr Downer to exploit these vehicles’ presence in Cyprus to the benefit of the job he is doing. How?
I propose to use these limousines to conduct the discussions among the two Cypriot leaders. He and his collaborators might also climb on board. A big part of the negotiations are carried out among the two leaders without the presence of their collaborators. Thus it won’t be any problem if the same discussions are carried on in a limo – but why would I put forward this proposal?
As it is known, the distances in Cyprus are of a completely different dimension than those in Australia. Over there, in Australia, somebody might have to travel the distance between Nicosia and Paphos daily just to go to work.
Cypriots, however, consider Paphos – the western-most point of the island – to be very far away from Nicosia. Being far away from the administrative centre, Paphos residents are not interested in anything else beyond their daily life and expect that everything should be decided and solved by the authorities in Nicosia.
And something else: Paphos residents do not have daily contact with the representatives of the two communities, whom they only know from the glass of television. The fact that they are of Cypriot design should mean that the discussions should be carried out in all territories of Cyprus. From Paphos up to the cape of Apostle Andreas in Karpasia and from the north down to the south.
Mr Downer, as a diplomat offering his good services, must encourage and help the men to move about in all the territory of Cyprus, so that the leaders of the two communities realise and feel that Cyprus is a small island, both in extent and in population.
Cyprus is an island that is not the navel of the earth or of international politics. The leaders must realise that Cyprus does not play a role beyond its size and economic robustness – as much as its leaders would like to.
I consider that the time has come for Mr Talat to converse with the Paphos residents and to reveal his vision to them during the break in the bilateral discussions and that Mr Christofias should do the same with the residents of Mesaoria, Kyrenia and Famagusta.
They should listen and learn the problems faced by the ordinary people. I suppose that the safety of the leaders could be undertaken and guaranteed by the United Nations. I believe that such an undertaking will also help Mr Downer to comprehend in depth of the problem, because he will understand not only the Nicosia politicians, but also how ordinary people in all parts of Cyprus think and worry about the problem that he was assigned to help solve.
It’s a matter of fact that the short time he spends in Cyprus is not enough for Mr Downer to understand in depth the way of thinking and acting of the ordinary people living in the villages and the other towns, which is not expressed by a political representative.
Without encroaching upon the rights of the two leaders, Mr Downer should offer the ordinary people the opportunity and means to express themselves and at the same time to hear their leaders telling them that they are willing and determined to find a solution to the problem that will terminate once and for all the conflict and the division.
It is not enough to tell them about the plans they will be called upon to approve – plans they know nothing about. This creates an underlying psychological problem that makes it easy for them to be receptive of fears that are propagated by people who oppose to the efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus conflict.
Mr Downer, please, don’t be content with only the diplomatic activities and manoeuvres that the ordinary people don’t know and don’t understand. Take Cypriot society by the hand and bring it close to you, listen to its pulse and give its leaders the opportunity to feel its rhythm.
You may say that this is clearly a Cypriot affair that doesn’t concern you but you have undertaken to bring to a close this affair. So, please, create imaginative conditions so that the ordinary people can comprehend that serious efforts are carried on for the reunification of their country. They will get rid of the fear that the unknown brings with it and then the “dead” paper pages of the basic agreement for a comprehensive solution will start to talk…
The two leaders of the communities and yourself might possibly come to an agreement, but we must not forget that it is the people who will be called upon to approve and capacitate that agreement.
Ignore the paternalistic thinking of our politicians and give to the society at large the opportunity and possibility not to be far and stranger from what you are striving to achieve. The benefits are multiple and with prospects.
M.A in International Law
Ph. D. in Jurisprudance
