Peacemaking Strategies In Cyprus

This book takes a systematic and holistic approach to examining all 41 peacemaking initiatives used to settle the Cyprus question from 1955 onward under the auspices of the United Nations and/or other actors in the international system, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Greece and Turkey. The analysis of peacemaking strategies, dynamics and obstacles fleshes out numerous relationships between: (i) peacemaking processes, dynamics and outcomes, from signaling to negotiations and to post-accord completion and implementation; (ii) concessions, constraints and leverage during peacemaking negotiations and third party mediation; and (iii) obstacles to finding an endgame solution and satisfying conditions for lasting peace expectations that all parties can agree on and implement successfully. After documenting 62 interviews with top political leaders in Cyprus (including top tier elected elites and third party mediators) and about 70 more interviews with key informants (including academics, researchers, members of negotiating teams, technical committees and working groups), this book concludes with a plethora of descriptive, as well as prescriptive, propositions on how peacemaking processes could lead to more sustainable and implementable peacemaking initiatives in Cyprus and in similar protracted and seemingly intractable cases.

This book traces the international community's attempts to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem from 1964-86, and analyzes why it has failed. It also discusses the deep mutual distrust between Turks and Greeks throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, which hampers all attempts to reach a satisfactory solution to this intractable problem. Mirbagheri also examines the divergent policies of the key external players and how they have contributed to the current stalemate.

In earlier efforts by many researchers to explain the breakdown of peacemaking initiatives to settle the Cyprus question, the focus has been primarily on one or just a few initiatives. This dissertation takes a systematic and holistic approach to examining all 41 peacemaking initiatives to settle the Cyprus question from 1955 onward under the auspices of the United Nations and/or other actors in the international system, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Greece and Turkey. I believe that the qualitative analysis of peacemaking strategies, dynamics and obstacles (and in conjunction with various research literature) fleshes out numerous relationships between: (i) peacemaking processes, dynamics and outcomes, from signaling to post-accord completion and implementation; (ii) the relationship between concessions, constraints and leverage during peacemaking negotiations; and (iii) obstacles to finding an endgame solution that all parties can agree on, and overall obstacles that are detrimental to lasting peace in Cyprus. After concluding 62 interviews with top political leaders in Cyprus (including top tier elected elites and 3rd party mediators) and about 70 more interviews with key informants (including academics, researchers, members of negotiating teams, technical committees and working groups), this dissertation concludes with a plethora of descriptive propositions on how peacemaking processes could lead to more sustainable and implementable peacemaking initiatives in Cyprus and perhaps in similar protracted cases.

In earlier efforts by many researchers to explain the breakdown of peacemaking initiatives to settle the Cyprus question, the focus has been primarily on one or just a few initiatives. This dissertation takes a systematic and holistic approach to examining all 41 peacemaking initiatives to settle the Cyprus question from 1955 onward under the auspices of the United Nations and/or other actors in the international system, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Greece and Turkey. I believe that the qualitative analysis of peacemaking strategies, dynamics and obstacles (and in conjunction with various research literature) fleshes out numerous relationships between: (i) peacemaking processes, dynamics and outcomes, from signaling to post-accord completion and implementation; (ii) the relationship between concessions, constraints and leverage during peacemaking negotiations; and (iii) obstacles to finding an endgame solution that all parties can agree on, and overall obstacles that are detrimental to lasting peace in Cyprus. After concluding 62 interviews with top political leaders in Cyprus (including top tier elected elites and 3rd party mediators) and about 70 more interviews with key informants (including academics, researchers, members of negotiating teams, technical committees and working groups), this dissertation concludes with a plethora of descriptive propositions on how peacemaking processes could lead to more sustainable and implementable peacemaking initiatives in Cyprus and perhaps in similar protracted cases.

The UN-led Cyprus peace process is in desperate need of radical transformation. This book makes a notable contribution towards changing the current discourse by empowering the main parties to better value their relationship. By altering goals and perceptions, the authors explore alternative visions for the future of Cyprus, suggesting both realistically feasible and politically challenging ideas. Using an exciting, innovative and multifocal approach, the authors discuss the practical application of resolutions and explore the radical disagreements of the conflict at both social and political levels. Reflecting on the idea of a ?'post-settlement?' situation and the prospect of such a reality, chapters illustrate the problems, challenges and political dynamics of Cyprus. The book explores the conceptual approaches to dialogue; a review of Greek, Turkish and Cypriot policies; the challenging roles of the UN and EU; Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot perspectives on the conflict, and finally dialogical reflections and debates on past and future problems. Allowing open and expressive dialogue, this book will interest those in academic and practitioner roles focused on international politics, conflict resolution and peace studies. It allows for further understanding of the complex perspectives presented in Cyprus that have great relevance in other international settings. Contributors include: C. Adamides, A.B. Akter, D. Christofias, G. Christou, B. Ekenoglu, D. Eroglu, A. Günal, M. Hadjipavlou, A. Heraclides, E.Içener, M. Kontos, N. Loizides, M.S. Michael, N. Moudouros, Y. Omerou, I. Özejder, S. Sonan, A. Sözen, M.A. Talat, G. Vassilou, Y. Vural

The UN peacemaking operation in Cyprus has been one of the longest of its kind, but has resulted in discarded proposals, non-papers or reports. This study investigates the Cypriot parties' views of peacemaking, to shed light on the problem, and on the theoretical debates surrounding mediation.

The year 2009 may well be a make-or-break year for the protracted Cyprus conflict. While strategic assessments and elite incentives bode cautiously well for a settlement, ultimately an agreement will have to be approved by the two Cypriot communities and above all it will have to be implemented by them on the ground. In view of the centrality of the people in this peace process, CEPS, in collaboration with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot partners, launched a project in late 2007 investigating, through successive opinion polls, what Cypriots think of each other, of the peace process and of possible solutions to the conflict. In this book the authors present the results of their second survey, conducted simultaneously in the southern and northern parts of the island in January and February 2009. It delves into the Cypriots' views on the thorniest questions of the conflict and assesses whether and how, once we leave the abstract level of labels and slogans and enter into the specifics of a package deal, convergence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots is possible.

During the Cold War the small state of Cyprus was of great strategic importance to the West. Britain, the United States, and Nato all had valuable installations there; and any armed conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots could easily suck two nearby Nato members - Greece and Turkey - into war. When therefore, intercommunal fighting broke out in Cyprus in December 1963, the West was deeply embarrassed. This book examines the consequential efforts of, first Britain, and then the UN, to keep the peace.

The United Nations has rarely been given a fair hearing with regard to its work in Cyprus. Despite competing demands for its limited resources being challenged by the local parties and at the mercy of contradictory political directions at the international level, the UN has actually achieved more than is generally realized. This is the first volume to critically appraise all the major areas of the UN's peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peace building activities in Cyprus.

This book studies journalism in Cyprus to understand how journalists negotiate their roles and responsibilities in conflict-affected societies. In Cyprus, journalism has navigated through the pressures and challenges of intercommunal and political tensions. The book outlines a historical context of the conflict, also known as the Cyprus problem and discusses the news media's involvement in it. However, the primary concern is journalists' perceptions of their professional roles and external forces affecting their work. It examines the impact of political, economic and organisational influences, media ownership and technological developments on their work through interviews conducted with journalists. It studies professional and ethical challenges journalists experience, especially when reporting intercommunal relations. Finally, it explores the impact of digital media on journalism and the public debate on the Cyprus problem.