English Text of Op-Ed as appeared in Phileleftheros Newspaper...

[Ελληνικά]

New Year's Open Letter to the People of Cyprus
by U.S. Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher

January 1 , 2005

I’m pleased to take this opportunity to address you all just a few days after assuming my duties as U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus and to express my hopes for the coming year. I first became interested in this beautiful island when I passed through 10 years ago while I was assigned to Lebanon. I was struck by the natural beauty, the rich history, the welcoming climate, the varied culture, the political situation, and, of course the people. It was at that time that I began to do some serious thinking about serving my country here.

While the Cyprus issue itself figures high on the agenda, the relationship between the United States and Cyprus is deeper and richer than the single issue of the island’s unacceptable division. Our relationship is based not only on shared interests, but, more fundamentally, on mutual respect, shared values and a common vision. In joining the European Union, Cyprus also joined the transatlantic relationship and an ongoing exchange concerned with every significant item on the global agenda. Both bilaterally and through the EU, Cyprus is acting as a full partner with the United States in addressing a broad range of global concerns, including terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, supporting democracy and development around the world, and meeting the long-standing challenges of AIDS and malaria as well as new global health threats such as avian flu. The transatlantic agenda is dynamic. It adapts itself to a changing world and demonstrates the flexibility necessary to meet new challenges.

The thriving academic exchanges between our two countries further contribute to a robust and healthy relationship. Thanks to our Cyprus America Scholarship and Fulbright programs, Cyprus has had over the years the largest per capita scholarship program to the U.S. of any country in the world.

Recognizing that a resolution of the Cyprus issue remains the highest priority on our collective agenda, allow me to take the opportunity to reaffirm for you that our support for a just and lasting settlement, establishing a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, remains steadfast. I firmly believe that w e need now to move from a period of reflection to one of real action. We are ready to support any negotiated settlement under UN auspices to reunify the island that is acceptable to the majorities in both communities . There is an element of urgency to this. With the passage of time, finding a mutually-agreeable solution to the Cyprus problem will only become a more difficult task. There is a role for the international community in this effort. In particular we see UN leadership as indispensable. Still, the responsibility for finding a way forward ultimately rests with Cypriots on both sides of the buffer zone. I hope to work closely with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leadership as well as representatives of the UN Secretary General in pursuit of this goal.

An important step in achieving this goal is to do some serious listening and engage in honest and frank exchanges of views. I want to hear what you have to say and to develop as comprehensive a picture as I can of the spectrum of opinion on both sides of the buffer zone. Obviously, this means more than meeting with the leaders of political parties. Developing views grounded in reality will require consistent efforts to reach out to the Cypriot public. I hope you will bear with me during this learning period as I look forward to meeting and speaking with as many of you as I can in the weeks, months, and – yes – years ahead.

I would like to take this opportunity during this holiday season to express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity of Cypriots who contributed to relief efforts assisting hurricane victims in the U.S. These contributions have made a difference, touching the hearts of many Americans. I look forward to spending my time here serving my country and working with my new friends to help Cypriots build a better future for the island. I wish you a happy, healthy, and productive new year.