Three significant points emerge from the developments of the past few hours and set the tone for tomorrow’s meeting.
First, the atmosphere between the two leaders is undoubtedly tense. A pervasive blame game is underway, with each leader addressing his own close circle of supporters.
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Second, the credibility of both is being called into question. Tufan Erhurman is more conciliatory than his predecessor; he has emerged as a leader who understands the Cyprus issue and could resolve it. However, so far he has merely reacted to moves by President Christodoulides without taking any substantive steps of his own. On the other hand, President Christodoulides must explain exactly what happened with the 19 points. Why were they presented as being in writing, and why were they described as having been viewed positively by the United Nations, when all indications suggest they were merely verbal? Such moves reinforce the impression that the goal is not to resume talks, but to project the image of an open process that benefits both sides tactically. But they also serve as an attempt to shift blame onto one another.
The third point is that there is a serious issue in our relations with the United Nations. Ms. Olgin said what everyone is saying, even among ourselves: if we cannot clear a roadblock, how can we proceed to negotiations for a comprehensive solution? The President took offense and offered indirect criticism, saying that if he were in Cyprus more often, he would know what is being discussed in his meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader. This confrontation is unproductive and becomes dangerous if reports are confirmed that Ms. Olgin may run for the position of the new UN Secretary-General.
Guterres’s letter to Erhurman is written in the same, and for us even more critical, spirit. If the reports coming out of the occupied territories are true, the Secretary-General expressed opposition to the government’s practice of squandering political capital by canceling musical or soccer events in the occupied territories.
All of this debunks the narrative that the UN is on the same page as our side.
If the situation remains as it is, there is a risk that the conclusions of the final reports by Guterres and Olguín upon their departure will be negative for us. On the other hand, it is confirmed that yet another significant opportunity to resume talks has been lost.
