CYPRUS – BRIDGE OR BUNKER? / The Cyprus Problem and prospects for its resolution

Authors : Fatma GÜVENLİSANİLER, Jonathan WARNER

Pages : 0-0

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Publication Date : 1998-03-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The Cyprus Problem is one of the few disputes world-wide to have remained unaffected by the end of the Cold War. The island is the site of the longest-lasting United Nations peacekeeping operation. UN troops were first sent to the island in March 1964, on a six-monthly mandate, which has been renewed on the same basis ever since. Writing in 1994, Anthony Parsons concluded his thoughts on Cyprus with the suggestion that it would be better to allow the status quo of de facto division of the island to continue: At present it looks as though the status quo will persist without violence and loss of life on the island but with periodic incantations from the United Nations designed to encourage the parties and their champions to appease international concern by making concessions which neither wholeheartedly supports. Maybe it would be better to leave well enough alone, however diplomatically untidy it is.1 Unfortunately, new elements in the situation since Sir Anthony wrote the violence on the Green Line, leading to four deaths in the summer of 1996, and the Greek Cypriot order for Russian surface-to-air missiles , have made the problem appear more dangerous, and have caused the redoubling of efforts to find a solution.
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