Details
This book is a case study in international relations and contemporary history, as seen from the standpoint of a constitutional, international and human rights lawyer involved in 25 years of negotiations to agree on a federation reuniting the divided Island of Cyprus. Based for the most part on personal knowledge, the writer describes recent international attempts to settle the long-standing disputes over Cyprus and provides a warning to those who invoke UN "good offices" machinery of risks they run.
In explaining the UN Secretariat’s activities, the roles played by major Powers are emphasised, together with consequential local perceptions which ultimately led to failure of the international effort. Analysis of what went wrong in that effort’s later phases indicates procedural and substantive approaches needed for any renewed negotiations to achieve success. Subsequent developments until the end of 2004, including the EU’s agreement to open accession negotiations with Turkey and potential positive measures, are also outlined, as are the issues which all parties should now properly consider.
Accompanying the text, which concentrates on the 2002-2004 period, is an extensive photographic record since 1954 of "the Cyprus problem" and of previous and recent attempts at negotiation. The illustrations, sometimes light-heartedly captioned, put events in context and illuminate the attitudes of significant actors in a manner no written text (other than one by a novelist) can do. The writer, both in text and photographs, frankly avows the prejudices and selectivity inevitable in any account of controversial and divisive events. But the resulting alternative narrative should facilitate a deeper understanding of the Cyprus situation than that currently afforded by the received picture, which has been presented by the UN Secretariat and certain major Powers. Such deeper understanding could assist in achieving a positive resolution of the conflict-ridden relationships in, around and about Cyprus.
Claire Palley is former UK representative to the UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities (1988-1998) and former Constitutional Consultant to the President of Cyprus (1980-2004).
…no episode of UN mismanagement and manipulation has been as clearly and convincingly documented as Claire Palley does in this book.
Clifford Hackett
European Union Studies Association Review
Vol 20, No 2, Spring 2007
…a significant contribution to the understanding of the Cyprus problem in terms of both international politics and international law…[Palley] is fair and accurate in presenting views that she sincerely believes in. These views need to be presented to a wider public…
Andrew J. Jacovides
The American Journal of International Law, Vol 100
2006
...a book...that no student of the Eastern Mediterranean but also of the UN and its 'good offices' machinery, can either ignore or dismiss.
Marios L. Evriviades
Mediterranean Quarterly, Vol 17, No 1
Feb 06
...an excellent and sobering case study of nation building at the international level.
Nicholas G. Karambelas
Washington Lawyer Magazine
March 2006
...the first authoritative analysis of the UN's Cyprus endeavor, a work of reference for international lawyers, civil servants and those seeking redress for injustices inflicted by the powerful.
Michael Jansen
Middle East International
September 2005
...detailed, erudite, dense and earnest book. What lends it its edge is that the author completely declines to accept that just because Cyprus is small and occupied, it should be treated by different human rights standards and standards of respect for her sovereignty and of the niceties of international law...
Michalis Attalides
The Cyprus Review
Spring 2005
...densely argued text is well structured and nicely annotated with an abundance of pictures to meet all tastes and a very useful appendix which summarises all the main positions at each of the versions of the Annan plan.
Nicos Trimiklinlotis
The Cyprus Review
…no episode of UN mismanagement and manipulation has been as clearly and convincingly documented as Claire Palley does in this book.
Clifford Hackett
European Union Studies Association Review, Vol 19, No 3
Sept 06
Given [Claire Palley's] 'insider's' view of key aspects of the narrative, it will be useful to historians as well as essential for anybody who participates in, or merely observes, the current 'Cyprus problem'.
Robert Holland
The Round Table. The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs, Vol 95, No 386
Sept 06
