New UN man promises moves on Cyprus

By Angelos Marcopoulos, In New York

THE UN’S new Director for Political affairs, who supervised the end of apartheid in South Africa, this week promised equivalent moves on Cyprus,

New Under-Secretary General Ibrahim Gambari, gave an exclusive Interview to The Cyprus Weeklyas the temperature mounted in New York after Turkish Foreign Minister Abdulah Gul's astonishingly brutal attacks against the Government of the island :

Gul had accused Cyprus of "undermining the UN", but a smiling Gambari said that he was pleased with his meetings with President Papadopoulos and the Foreign Minister Iacovou in New York.

He promised that he "will be fair" on Cyprus and that he intended to "bring new, fresh oxygen" to the UN's efforts.

"We must move On Cyprus," he stressed, and confirmed his intention to visit the island soon.

Gambari, who chaired the UN's Commission for the End of Apartheid in South Africa, spoke to The Weekly after UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, symbolically rang the "Bell for Peace" at UN Headquarters, during a ceremony to mark International Peace Day.

" I'll do what is do-able", a careful Gambari warned.

He spoke after Gul, instead of showing willingness to negotiate with Cyprus, refused even to speak about any changes to the controversial 5th version of the Annan's Plan.

Underlining Turkey's aim of excluding Europe from any role in the solution of the Cyprus issue, Gul accused Nicosia of "undermining the UNO" by "trying to bring the issue to other for a."

He described as "misguided" and "disturbing", President Tassos Papadopoulos's wish for a more active contribution by the EU in the efforts made under UN auspices.

After meeting President Papadopoulos, the Secretary General said that his good offices mission remained available but that any step towards new talks should be launched at "an appropriate moment" and be "carefully prepared", the UN's Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, replied to a question by The Cyprus Weekly.

The current President of the Security Council, the Ambassador of the Philippines Lauro Baja, said:

"Unless somebody brings it up, Cyprus is not on the schedule of my Presidency.",

This suggests it might start during the chairmanship of Romania in October.

Almost at the same time, Romania will begin chairing the CoE's Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg, opening possibilities for cooperation between the European Human Righjts organisation Human Rights and the UN on Cyprus.

But the main bulk of developments is expected in 2006, in particular after the EU decision on Turkey's obligations, said an EU source.

Meanwhile, human rights are expected to play an important role in "preparing carefully" the next step for the solution of Cyprus' issue President Papdopoulos said.

"Human Rights have become one of the most prominent issues in solving any political problem," he told the Weekly.