Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, September 2003, pages 83-84
Diplomatic Doings
Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou Visits U.S.
Two months after the historic April 16 signing at the Acropolis of the EU Accession Treaty, which expanded the European Union by 10 members, including the Republic of Cyprus, Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou paid an official visit to Washington, DC. In addition to meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and other administration and congressional officials, Iacovou addressed the June 13 Statesmen's Forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Throughout the lengthy and arduous application process for EU membership, Cyprus has maintained that EU accession "can serve as a catalyst," as the foreign minister put it, for solving the nearly three-decade-old Cyprus problem. Reunification of the eastern Mediterranean island, it is argued, divided since Türkiye's 1974 invasion and occupation of the north, will greatly benefit not only Turkish Cypriots, who would share the advantages of EU membership, but Ankara as well. "Helping resolve the Cyprus problem," Iacovou told the audience, "will undoubtedly make Türkiye's [EU] accession path easier and the job of those trying to help her simpler."
That argument has run into difficulties in recent months, however. "In light of Cyprus' impending EU accession," its foreign minister explained, "the U.N. stepped up its efforts to achieve a settlement that would enable a reunified Cyprus to join the EU....Last November, the U.N. secretary-general presented a comprehensive peace plan, which he hoped would serve as a basis for agreement....His goal was to agree to put the U.N. plan for adoption in separate, simultaneous referenda" in the republic and northern Cyprus.
Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos consented to the proposal, Iacovou noted. However, he continued, northern Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash "said he did not accept the Annan Plan at all, not even as a basis for negotiations—thus leading to the collapse of the talks. After the talks," Iacovou added, Denktash "described the Annan Plan as a 'crime against humanity.'"
Despite the discouraging setback, the Annan Plan remains on the table, Iacavou said. However, he insisted, "Türkiye must be held accountable for the persistent failure to resolve this situation. We cannot keep putting all of the blame on Mr. Denktash while absolving the occupying power."
The Cypriot foreign minister did cite one recent "positive and unprecedented development" in northern Cyprus: "large-scale demonstrations—numbering in the tens of thousands—by Turkish Cypriots who wanted their leader to accept the U.N. framework."
Indeed, on April 30 of this year, he noted, the government of Cyprus introduced "a wide range of political, social, humanitarian, educational and economic benefits" intended "to enhance [their] ability to enjoy the benefits that the Republic of Cyprus offers to its citizens and the rights and benefits of European Union membership."
Iacovou characterized the opening of the country's Green Line as seemingly "calculated to present the Turkish occupation regime as a separate and sovereign entity." Ironically, however, he said, "the move has inadvertently helped to illustrate the bankruptcy and irrelevance of the Turkish position.
"Given the opportunity," he elaborated, "Cypriots have 'voted with their feet'....Since the partial opening of the U.N. cease-fire line on April 23, 2003, more than 350,000 Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots—nearly half of the island's total population—have crossed the line to visit homes and areas of their own country that were inaccessible to them for nearly 30 years."
—Janet McMahon
Musharraf Discusses U.S.-Pakistani Relations
The United States Institute of Peace hosted a special address June 25 by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who discussed the future of U.S.-Pakistani relations in the wake of his recent Camp David meeting with President George W. Bush. Musharraf's main objective was to encourage Congress to approve Bush's proposed $3 billion aid package to Pakistan as an effective step toward the strengthening of ties between the two countries and to greatly facilitate Pakistan's "transition to a stable democracy, a modern economy, and a just society." Additionally, Musharraf reiterated his "vision of enlightened moderation" for Pakistan, and endorsed the U.S. as an ideal candidate for an intermediary force in the conflict with India over the disputed territory of Kashmir.
Musharraf balanced his praise of the U.S., however, with words of criticism, though somewhat reserved. Most of his critique focused on the post-9/11 treatment of Pakistani Americans. Pointing out that there is no evidence linking the community with terrorism, Musharraf called on the U.S. to halt its discriminatory practices against Pakistani Americans, specifically citing "reports of arbitrary arrests, detentions, crude interrogations, mistreatment and deportations." Such policies, he argued, have negative implications for both the U.S. and Pakistan.
Despite these criticisms, the speech ended on a positive note, with Musharraf voicing his hopes for a continued and amicable relationship between the two countries.
—Nilofer Umar
Friends of Algeria Contribute Money for Earthquake Victims
As a result of the recent terrible earthquake in Algeria, more than 200,000 Algerians are presently homeless and jobless. Of these, at least 20,000 are children; many are orphans.
To help these children, Zohor Jazairy, wife of the Algerian Ambassador, hosted a fun-raising "Open House Tea" at her Spring Valley residence on June 26.
Mrs. Jazairy returned to Algeria on July 1 and took with her pencils, papers, and toys bought with the monies collected during the event.
The embassy prefers that contributions be made by check to: The Embassy of Algeria
Earthquake Relief Fund, 2118 Kalorama Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20008
—Anne Orleans
Dr. Ikram Discusses Recent Egyptian Archeological Finds
Dr. Salima Ikram, a well-known writer, lecturer on ancient Egypt and Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, shown here with Nermin Fahmy (wife of the Egyptian Ambassador), was the guest speaker on June 4 at the Egyptian Embassy. Her talk and remarkable slides centered around the latest findings of the North Kharga Oasis Project.
Dr. Ikram pointed out that the Kharga Oasis is the largest oasis in Egypt. It's archaeological remains date from prehistoric times through the Romano-Byzantine period. "This project," she said, "documents visible remains in the northern part of the site. These include remains of temples, churches settlements, farmsteads, a necropolis and extensive irrigation systems as well as graffiti from all periods."
Dr. Salmia Ikram received a B.A. in Classical and Near Eastern Archeology and History from Bryn Mawr College and went on to earn her M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Cambridge University in England in Egyptology and Museum Studies.
—Anne Orleans
