As published in Kibris Newspaper, December 31 , 2006 and Phileleftheros Newspaper January 1 , 2007

(English Text)

New Year's Message

by Ambassador Ronald Schlicher

A year has passed since I arrived in Cyprus to serve as U.S. Ambassador. As I reflect on the past twelve months, what first comes to mind is how I have been embraced by Cypriot hospitality and made to feel so welcome on this beautiful island. Indeed, there is every reason to expect the bonds of friendship between the U.S. and Cyprus to continue to strengthen in the year ahead. Many of my fellow Americans discovered the depth of Cypriot compassion and kindness when, last summer, at the height of the tourist season, Cyprus opened its arms to more than 14,000 American citizens who had fled the violence in Lebanon and helped them return safely to the United States. It is within this spirit of friendship and cooperation that I would like to share with you some of my hopes and wishes for Cyprus and the U.S. in the coming year.

As our first New Year’s resolution, let us commit to making this the year in which we focus on what unites rather than divides all of us. Here in Cyprus, it is remarkable how much Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have in common -- and how much these communities have enriched, and been enriched by, each other. Both communities lived side by side amicably for centuries. They have a shared history, which should be reflected in public discourse as well in as personal thoughts and individual actions. I am convinced that, by remembering what Cypriots have in common, and in celebrating what they have learned from each other, the people of this island will be able to pave the way towards peace, reconciliation, and reunification of the island. That is why the U.S. is proud to support bicommunal programs and initiatives supporting these very goals.

Similarly, the U.S. and Cyprus share many ties and values. Cypriots from both communities have had family and friends in the United States for generations, and many Cypriots here on the island are proud American citizens as well. We are also bound by ties of scholarship; at this moment, more than 1,000 Cypriots are studying in the U.S., 105 of whom are CASP or Fulbright grantees. We have scores of Americans teaching, studying, and conducting research on this rich and historic island. We also share numerous common goals, which can only be furthered through enhanced cooperation. Issues crucial to our common safety, such as avian influenza, combating global terrorism and crime, can be tackled only through close cooperation and trust -- between our two governments, between our two peoples, and between the communities here on the island. In this vein, it is my sincere hope that in the New Year both communities will devote themselves to progress in the recently-agreed UN-brokered talks designed to pave the way for reunification through achieving rapid, greater cooperation on technical issues of mutual concern and in good-faith negotiations on substantive, settlement-related matters. The U.S. has stood, and will continue to stand, behind the UN’s efforts to promote reconciliation and reunification.

The 14,000 Americans who were brought to safety through Cyprus from Lebanon last summer will attest to the common ties of friendship and common interest that bind our two countries. Let me emphasize that this is not the first time that Cyprus has lent us a hand in our time of need: we have not forgotten the generous outpourings of donations from both communities to those Americans who suffered the impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

I hope that in the coming year, Cypriots and Americans will strengthen further our already deep bonds of cooperation and friendship. I also hope that the two communities will find the determination and courage to work with the UN to find a solution to the unacceptable division of this beautiful island. The Cyprus problem can and must be solved. Let us all re-dedicate ourselves to making real progress toward this profoundly important goal in 2007. I wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to our continued cooperation.