And Now.... CYPRUS
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• How has Cyprus's location influenced the island's cultural history? • What benefits does Cyprus anticipate, as it joins the European Union (EU)? • Why does the UN maintain a peacekeeping force in Cyprus? • Who's working to resolve the "Cyprus Issue" in our time — and what do they propose? Here's some background for your research into those questions.

July 14, 2003: A joyful day for the Republic of Cyprus! The country's legislators voted unanimously to make Cyprus a full member of the European Union (EU). And Cypriots celebrated the new future that lay before them: Within a year, the Republic would be a full and active member of the world's largest free market, one shared by the people of 25 nations. Even more significant: Cyprus would benefit from EU programs dealing with economic, social, environmental, educational, and security issues.
    There was only one regret on that historic day: The northern part of Cyprus was under occupation by troops from Turkey. Even as the legislators voted, UN peacekeepers were on patrol in the buffer zone between the occupied territory and the rest of the nation….

"Roots." The story behind the occupation has roots in Cyprus's geography…. A small, beautiful island in the East Mediterranean, Cyprus was famous in ancient times for its deposits of copper ore. It also provided strategic ports for early maritime traders. Indeed, its rich cultural history began when Aegean Greek colonists — the ancestors of today's Greek Cypriots — brought their language, arts, and customs to the island.
    Centuries later (1571 CE), Ottomans from nearby Turkey conquered Cyprus. For a long time, their Turkish Cypriot descendants lived at peace with Greek Cypriots. But tensions grew after Britain gained control of Cyprus in 1878. By the 1950s, Greek Cypriots were increasingly campaigning for the union of Cyprus with Greece (enosis). And Turkish Cypriots urged that Cyprus be partitioned between Greece and Turkey (taksim)!

Elusive peace. In 1960, Cyprus ceased being a colony: Britain, Greece, and Turkey signed treaties guaranteeing its independence and security. However, new issues arose. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots debated how much "say" each group should have in the new Republic. Violence erupted. UN peacekeepers arrived in 1964. And even though both sides had begun holding talks in 1968, Greece's military rulers stirred a coup in Cyprus in 1974. The coup was put down quickly. But then Turkey — citing the 1960 treaties — invaded northern Cyprus! Most Cypriots rejected Turkey's claim to be a protector. And the UN demanded an end to the intervention. Still, Greek Cypriots in the northern third of Cyprus were forced to move south, while Turkish Cypriots from the south headed north.

And now.... Almost 30 years later, Turkish troops were still in northern Cyprus. The occupied region now claimed to have its own government — though no nation (except Turkey) recognized it. And the situation seemed deadlocked. Then, in 2002, the UN offered a new plan to help Cypriots reunite. Calling for the formation of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation on the island, the plan was supported by the government of Cyprus as a basis for negotiations. In fact, Cypriots from both sides met to discuss the idea. But talks ceased in March 2003, after the Turkish Cypriot leader withdrew. What next? The EU, the USA, and world diplomats urge the renewal of talks. Greek Cypriots are willing. And many Turkish Cypriots have been staging demonstrations to demand a settlement. (They can't share in the benefits of EU membership until the rift is healed!) So: Will that buffer zone ever disappear? Keep tuned….

Research Tips. On the Internet, learn more about Cyprus's relations with the EU at these two Sites: www.cyprus-eu.org.cy and http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/cyprus

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