The third round of UN-brokered proximity talks on a Cyprus settlement resumed yesterday in Geneva with the two sides responding to a paper proffered by the UN before the July 12th recess. The Cypriot President, Mr Glafkos Clerides, called upon the mediator, Mr Alvaro de Soto, to abide by the federal formula adopted by the Security Council and the international community. This envisages reunification of the island in a bicommunal, bizonal federation with a common constitution, a central administration, a single citizenship, single sovereignty and single international personality.
Mr Clerides read from a text prepared by the National Council, comprising Greek Cypriot party leaders, detailing how Mr de Soto had strayed from the council's mandate in his "soundings". Accompanying Mr Clerides were politicians and parliamentarians seeking to present a united front against Mr de Soto's proposition. The federal formula is also favoured by the Turkish Cypriot opposition which last week staged demonstrations calling for the resignation of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, and protesting at the confederal plan and Ankara's dominance in northern Cyprus.
According to press leaks, Mr de Soto dropped the term "federation" and spoke instead of a "common state" made up of two entities with two constitutions and two citizenships. This "common state" would consist of a weak central administration, the presidency of which would rotate between the two communities. Each entity would conduct its own defence and foreign policies. Greek Cypriot commentators point out the similarities between the "soundings" and the Turkish side's proposal for a "confederation" handed to Mr de Soto soon after the Geneva round began on July 5th.
The Turkish Cypriot text, however, specifies a single citizenship. The Geneva round is due to continue until July 30th and a fourth round is scheduled to take place in New York from September 12th until October.
