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"Looking to the Future: Opportunities and Responsibilities"

Remarks by Ambassador Michael Klosson
The Cyprus American Association,
The Cyprus Association of American University Graduates,

 And the Cyprus-American Business Association

June 5, 2003

Thank you Kyriacos for that kind introduction.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.  Thank you for inviting me to speak to you this evening.  It’s a pleasure to be with so many members of so many organizations with the word “American” in their name.   I want to salute the good work you’re all doing to reinforce ties between Americans and Cypriots, between America and Cyprus across many fields. Thank you for the many occasions you have worked very constructively with the Embassy to help us promote mutual interests.

There’s much going on and many issues to discuss.  I’d like to talk about Cyprus’s new role as a member of the European Union (EU) and the transformation in mindset that will require, make some observations about American foreign policy and then conclude with some comments on a Cyprus solution.

War on Terror

However, as Groucho Marx once said, “Before I speak, I have something important to say.”  And that something relates to terrorism. 

Humor aside, it’s clear from recent attacks in Riyadh, Casablanca and elsewhere coupled with Al Qaida threats against many countries that we remain in a global war against terrorists.  Progress is being made, but the war is far from over. These recent attacks call for maximum effort by the international community to cut off terrorist finances, disrupt their planning, intercept their movement and just stop them in their tracks.  Attacks against so-called “soft targets” are disturbing.  The United States Embassy met with its wardens recently to discuss the situation.  Vigilance and prevention are the watchwords for citizens and authorities everywhere, including here in Cyprus.  If you’re an American and haven’t yet registered with the Embassy, please do so. Or if you just want to keep up with this or other issues, check out our web site at www.americanembassy.org.cy.

Cyprus Empowered

When I first learned that I would be coming to Cyprus last year, I talked to friends about my new assignment.  In those conversations, it became clear to me that the name “Cyprus” made them think of tension, trouble and a divided island.  In fact, it seems to me that when I hear the name “Cyprus,” it’s more often than not followed by the word “problem.”  That “problem” has remained the preoccupation here for a long time as Cypriots have seen themselves largely as victims of conflict and tension.  

Something new and very important, however, happened April 16 when President Papadopoulos signed the EU accession treaty.  Yes, the Cyprus “problem,” despite strenuous efforts by the UN, the US and others, was not resolved prior to signature.  That signature, however, opened the door to far-reaching transformations whose dimensions will take time to grasp.  Accession gives Cyprus not only new opportunities and benefits, but also new responsibilities.  The fact of EU accession calls upon Cyprus to step up to a bigger part on a wider stage, the stage of a united, free and prosperous Europe. With the signing of the accession treaty, Cyprus secured a voice in EU councils.  Next year Cyprus will acquire its right to vote and help decide EU positions.

This voice and this vote enhance the status of Cyprus as an actor in both the European community and the international community.  Cyprus now has a seat at a new table.  It has to be informed and active on a great range of issues that fall under the competence of the European Union. 

Why is this so important to Cyprus?  What are its new responsibilities? The EU is increasingly an actor with significant clout on the world stage.   As a member of the EU, Cyprus joins in its aspirations to be a force for good in Europe and the world.  As a result, Cyprus is being called on to pay attention and contribute to issues both within its geographic neighborhood, but also on a much broader international stage wherever the EU is engaged.  As the EU’s southern most border, Cyprus clearly has to be proactive in combating terrorism, trafficking in people, money laundering, and organized crime.  But it is being called upon to do more.

The United States, as you know, is not a member of the European Union.  So why is the U.S. Ambassador in Nicosia talking about Cyprus’s role in the EU?  The reason goes back to April 16.  As a result of Cyprus’s new seat at the EU table, the U.S. also has a much wider range of issues that we want to discuss with Cyprus – the large, common agenda at the heart of our wide-ranging dialogue with Europe.  A Europe now whole, free and mostly at peace is well positioned to look outward and help others realize the prosperity based on common values, democracy and free markets that we in the transatlantic community have enjoyed.  Those broader issues include nonproliferation, fighting AIDS and poverty, the global economy and trade.

Ask any Foreign Ministry official:  we are already expanding our policy dialogue with Cyprus to include these new issues.  Last month a senior U.S. Government delegation began visits to the 10 new EU member countries – and started with Nicosia. The delegation wanted to talk to Cypriot officials about the broad relationship that the U.S. and the EU enjoy across shared economic, social, political, and international interests.  They wanted to ensure we had open channels for discussion with Nicosia on these issues.  As a result of those talks, both sides will be better able to use the dynamic, multifaceted relationship that comes with EU membership to our mutual benefit.

The U.S. - EU Relationship Today

I don’t mean to give the impression that the U.S. – EU relationship is always synergy and cooperation.  It isn’t and one shouldn’t expect it to be.  U.S. relations with some European governments went through a rough period recently over Iraq.  As Winston Churchill once observed, “in working with allies, it sometimes happens that they develop opinions of their own.” 

We had a major disagreement.  We cannot pretend otherwise, but, as President Bush has said in recent days, that is in the past. We are prepared to move forward. We can come together, for example, to help the Iraqi people take their place in the world as a free and stable country.     

Our recent disagreement grabbed headlines, but obscured the reality underlying the relationship.  Americans and Europeans – and that includes Cypriots -- know what draws us together – common values, shared sacrifices and working in concert in many parts of the world.  The U.S. relationship with Europe is very close.  We are a transatlantic family.  Despite the recent rough patch, our strong collaboration has continued in critical areas such as the reconstruction of Afghanistan, Balkans peacekeeping and our combined diplomatic efforts regarding North Korea and the Middle East Peace Process.  Our disagreement did not affect NATO enlargement, the expansion of another transatlantic family relationship. Our cooperative efforts are far more significant and impressive than our recent problems, just less prominently featured in headlines and sound bites.

American Foreign Policy Precepts

This picture of collaboration between the United States and Europe leads me to three more general observations about American foreign policy. 

First, the United States does not have a one-size-fits-all approach to foreign policy.  When it comes to addressing international challenges, we employ a toolbox of approaches, not a single cookie cutter.  One should not misinterpret Iraq as a template for U.S. policy toward other countries; no one tool can do it all. Other policy instruments we employ to address challenges to our national interests include diplomacy, development and democracy assistance, sanctions, incentives and trade policy.

In the case of Iraq, the U.S. and its coalition partners used force as a last resort, against a country with a clear record of aggression, whose support for weapons of mass destruction and terrorism threatened the international community and only after a large degree of international consensus developed about what Iraq needed to do to remove that threat.  The coalition is now working hard to help Iraqis rebuild their nation on democratic principles.  Oppression is gone.  Power, water and sanitation systems are being put back on-line. Ministries are being reopened.  Children are back in school.  Town councils and local politicians are starting to meet.  After decades of dictatorship, life based on freedom is within reach of all Iraqis. Although the transition to democracy will take time, Iraq is walking into a brighter future step by step. 

The UN Security Council adopted last month by a vote of 14-0 a new resolution on Iraq.  This shows the international community has come together again to help the Iraqi people.  The elimination of Saddam Hussein’s regime, moreover, is one important element creating a new strategic situation that improves the prospects for regional peace, security and prosperity.

A second major theme in American foreign policy involves partnership.  Partnership is essential.  There is little that the United States can do in the world that can’t be done better with the active participation of others -- governments, international organizations or NGOs.  Look at recent developments in the Middle East Peace Process, for example.  The United States developed the recently released road map with its Quartet partners – the European Union, the United Nations and Russia.  President Bush, moreover, spent time during his just completed visit to the region meeting with major Arab partners, in addition to meetings with the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.  As part of promoting peace between Israelis and Palestinians on the basis of his June 24th speech last year, President Bush has also proposed negotiating a free trade area between the United States and the Middle East by the end of the decade.  The President believes trade partnerships are key to a peaceful Middle East: trade and prosperity give people hope, a desire for a better life and opportunities for their children.

The strong declarations by the leaders of the Group-of-Eight countries at Evian also underscore the importance of partnership.  The leaders established a G-8 Counter-Terrorism Action Group to focus on building political will and capacity to combat terrorism.  They renewed their determination to tackle the threat of nonproliferation, sending particular messages to North Korea and Iran.  The leaders also committed to strengthen collaboration in the fight against HIV/AIDS, in which the United States has taken a $15 billion initiative.

So, we believe partnerships matter:  partnerships in the global war on terrorism, partnerships in addressing the threat of proliferation, partnerships in fighting disease and poverty and partnerships in eliminating trading barriers,  which if successful could lift 300 million people worldwide out of poverty.

My third point:  U.S. foreign policy combines interests and values.  The American people have insisted that our national objectives be linked to our national ideals.  I hope that you, with your deep connections to the United States, understand that our emphasis on freedom, representative government and free markets stems not from naïve idealism.  It is based on a realization that democracies rarely go to war against one another, but rather settle their differences peacefully.  We see these not as uniquely American aspirations, but as aspirations that appeal to people everywhere seeking a better life for themselves and their families.

Cyprus Question

Now a few words on “the issue” – Cyprus.

I met recently with some young Greek and Turkish Cypriots who had spent time together at summer camps and in various on-island gatherings in recent years.  I was struck by their attitudes on the Cyprus Question, and two points I heard.  First, one of them told me “we deserve better,” a theme which he had also incorporated into a song.  A second, speaking about conceptions the two communities had of one another, said, “Before we were told; now we tell.”  Attitudes like these among the youth hold out tremendous hope for reconciliation and a solution.

Developments over recent weeks, however, indicate such views are not confined to young people.  Hundreds of thousands of people on both sides have surprised political leaders with their eagerness to cross the dividing line and their positive attitudes toward one another.  The stream of stories and vignettes of contacts, to which I’m sure many here today can testify with personal experience, has been overwhelmingly positive, albeit at times bitter.  The people have demonstrated a powerful commitment to reconciliation and so far bridged three decades of separation with striking maturity. 

Doors are opening all across the island.  The myth that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have to be kept apart to preserve peace has been exploded.  Gone too should be doubts about whether there is sufficient goodwill to make the Annan plan work. The clear message -- indeed the clear mandate -- to political leaders is that the people want reconciliation and a solution. 

While not a substitute for a settlement, these crossings and the April 30 confidence building measures improve the atmosphere for future negotiations.  The United States welcomes these developments.  Indeed we have worked hard at bringing people together through our support for reconciliation programs with over $300 million spent over the past two decades. 

The Way Forward

So, what lies ahead?

The United States believes firmly that the Annan plan offers a unique basis for a comprehensive settlement that takes into account the interests and needs of the parties. Achieving a just and durable settlement is a top U.S. priority.  We were very disappointed that the UN efforts did not achieve success in March at The Hague.  Allowing Greek and Turkish Cypriots to vote in referenda would have been the most democratic way to confirm the desire of many Cypriots for a comprehensive solution.

The United States, despite our disappointment, remains actively engaged in the search for a Cyprus solution. President Bush in recent weeks has encouraged Turkey’s leaders to move forward on the basis of the Annan plan.  Ambassador Weston, the U.S. Special Coordinator for Cyprus, came to the island in April and will return to the region next week to project U.S. support for a settlement.  The Security Council also has backed the Annan plan and the Secretary General’s April report as the way forward.  

Realism and Responsibility

Both sides need to be realistic about the situation and their expectations.   Remember, the Annan Plan was carefully crafted in consultation with the parties to be balanced and fair, addressing the needs of both sides.  It is by far the most comprehensive attempt at a settlement, although not everyone can be satisfied.

True, the Plan was designed to be implemented before signature of the EU accession treaty, so some changes are necessary to take that into account.  It may also be modified through negotiation.  But expectations that negotiations will produce drastic improvements must be tempered by realism.  Negotiation, by definition, is a process of give and take.  Major improvements won’t be possible without major concessions at the negotiating table. 

This realism must be applied even after people-to-people contact of the past six weeks has swept away old myths and dramatically improved the atmosphere on the island.  Whether such developments mean the Annan plan can be revamped won’t be known until the two sides meet each other across the negotiating table.  Given the past positions of the parties, it’s hard to envisage wholesale structural changes to the plan acceptable to both sides.

Another reality is that the choice Cypriots face isn’t between the Annan Plan and a hypothetical  “better plan” -- one that hasn’t been drafted yet. The choice is between the Annan Plan and no plan.  The Special Adviser to the Secretary General, Alvaro DeSoto, reiterated this same point recently.  While the buffer zone may now be crossed, it still divides Cypriots from each other and limits the opportunities that would otherwise exist if a solution were achieved.

A third reality is that the absence of a solution is not cost free for either side. Restrictions certainly retard development in the north, but uncertainty about the future casts a shadow over the entire island, inhibiting Cypriots from achieving their full potential.  The lack of certainty engenders a sense of insecurity, which only a settlement can dispel definitively.  That lack of certainty does not benefit Cypriot businesses, industry or the tourist sector.  Absent a settlement by next May, moreover, Cyprus will be the only divided country among 25 EU members.   

Now, a solution cannot be imposed from the outside.  Both sides must conclude that it is in their best interest to seek an agreement now.  They must realize that the benefits of a balanced, comprehensive settlement are more compelling than clinging to the status quo in the vain hope of achieving unrealistic expectations.  The situation calls for responsible political leadership for the future.

Conclusion

Lying at the crossroads between two evolving regions, Cyprus has a unique vantage point.  Looking west toward Europe, I see increasing stability, opportunity and prosperity.  With EU expansion 10 new countries will begin to enjoy the benefits and opportunities of the Union.

Looking eastward I see, potentially, many new opportunities as well.  In Iraq, I see people standing up and starting to govern themselves in a country that used to be controlled by a vicious dictator.  I also hope for progress between Israelis and Palestinians.  The Middle East road map provides a way for them to travel together down the road to peace.

At this time of regional and global opportunities and challenges, the U.S. counts on our strong relationship with Cyprus to achieve success.  Success in our economies.  Success in the war on terrorism.  And now after April 16, success in Americans and Europeans working together in the international arena.  Of course, the U.S. also hopes to see success in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.  These are our common responsibilities.

Thank you.