Resolving the Cyprus Conflict

MICHÁLIS S. MICHAEL Research Fellow in the Centre for Dialogue at La Trobe University, Australia.

"In his vivid account of the Cyprus conflict, Michalis Stavrou Michael provides us with the most articulate researched analysis of the Cyprus peace process during the last decades. Resolving the Cyprus Conflict is a reference for politicians, policy-makers, academics, journalists, NGOs, and students involved with the Cyprus problem." - Boutros Boutros-Ghali, United Nations Secretary-General (1992-1997) "Michalis Stavrou Michael s book is a fine resource for any who seek an unbiased overview of efforts to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem. With its rich historical detail, its meticulous narrative of the many phases of negotiation, and its cool, fair language, this is one of the most comprehensive accounts of the international rivalry and local mistakes that have kept the island divided." - Gareth Evans, President, International Crisis Group (2000-09) and Foreign Minister of Australia (1988-96) "This book offers the best summary of the Cyprus negotiations that I have come across. Michael s description of attempts by third parties to help negotiate a solution to the Cyprus conflict - one that has defied the efforts of the world s best diplomats over the past 40 years - is clear and detailed, without getting bogged down in extraneous material." - Benjamin Broome, Professor, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University "Michael has clearly managed to provide an objective presentation of the different dimensions of the Cyprus conflict. Michael's objectivity depends largely on his ethnically blind arguments and interpretations of historical events and sociopolitical facts.Archival data, concrete factual knowledge, and rational interpretation of the views and behavior of sociopolitical actors help to increase the objectivity of the book...There is no doubt that the objective methods employed in this analysis will make Michael's book useful for scholars and readers of the Cyprus problem." - Journal of Peace Research 48(2), March 2011

• Introduction: The Cyprus Conflict PART I: IDENTIFYING THE SOURCES OF THE CONFLICT Colonialism, Modernity and Nationalism Transformation of the Conflict: Phases and Thresholds PART II: A PRISONER'S DILEMMA Enunciation of Positions: Greek and Turkish Cypriot Perspectives Defining the UN's Role: Mediation in Progress The Vienna Talks: Facilitative Approach The Quest for Federalism The Mediator Intervenes: Waldheim's Evaluation US Intervention Peripheral Issues: Varosha and 'Good Will' Measures Negotiation Impact Assessment: Adapting to the 'New Realities' PART III: FALTERING UN INVOLVEMENT Hardening of Dispositions: Allagi and Unilateralism Proximity Talks and the New York High-Level Meeting: Lessons Learned Challenging the President: Greek Cypriot Domestic Political Crisis Turkish Cypriot Opposition and the Politics of Population Pérez de Cuéllar's Draft Agreement Alternatives: International Conference and Beyond Davos and Greek-Turkish Rapprochement A Social Impact Statement PART IV: THE END OF AN ERA? Pérez de Cuéllar's Last Stand Boutros-Ghali's Set of Ideas: the Mediator Intervenes Confidence-Building Measures The Neglected Track PART V: TOWARDS ANNAN'S 'EUPOPEAN' SOLUTION Imminent Mutual Catastrophe: Russian Missiles and US Diplomacy Europeanization of the Conflict From the Bosporus to Brussels (via the Green Line) EU Impact on Inter- and Intra- Communal Political Space The Annan Plan Conclusion — 'And Bring all Cyprus Comfort' 3+1 Settlement Scenarios: Unitary, Federal or Two-State Solutions Beyond the Discourse: Contemplating Certain Lessons