CYPRUS:A UN survey released yesterday reveals that Greek and Turkish Cypriots regard reunification in a bicommunal, bizonal federation as a tolerable alternative to the continued division of the island.
While Greek Cypriots prefer a unitary state and Turkish Cypriots a two-state solution, very small percentages on both sides consider the status quo acceptable. Fifty-seven per cent of Greek Cypriots and 70 per cent of Turkish Cypriots are pessimistic about reaching a solution.
Nevertheless, solid majorities of Greek and Turkish Cypriots favour intercommunal activities and believe contacts increase trust and are essential if Cyprus is to be reunified. However, only a tiny fraction of Cypriots engage in intercommunal efforts. While they seek UN assistance in promoting such endeavours, they do not want the UN or any other external agency or power "meddling" in their affairs.
The survey shows that contacts between the communities are rare in spite of the 2003 opening of crossing points in the "Green Line", which has divided the island since Turkey invaded and occupied the north in 1974.
Forty-five per cent of Turkish Cypriots cross to the south with some frequency, many to take up employment, but only 10 per cent of Greek Cypriots go to the north. Those who do generally make pilgrimages to religious sites or their natal villages from which they are excluded, and say their visits confirmed a bad impression of Turkish Cypriots.
Turkish Cypriots who had few contacts with Greek Cypriots have an unchanged opinion of them, but those who interact with them have an improved view of Greek Cypriots.
Majorities in both communities consider the UN has a key role to play in Cyprus and believe that its presence is essential, although each community believes the UN is biased in favour of the other. They agree that the UN needs to better understand the concerns of Cypriots.
The survey, conducted in January and February, was commissioned by the UN Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), deployed on the island for 43 years. Firms in the north and south polled 1,000 members of each community, in addition to Cypriots living in the UN-controlled buffer zone.
Questionnaires were set in consultation with Greek and Turkish Cypriot experts, Alexandros Lordos and Erol Kaymak.
Mainland Turks settled in Cyprus account for 20 per cent of the Turkish Cypriot sample.
Publication coincided with the third anniversary of the referendum on the ill-fated UN reunification plan, on which Turkish Cypriots voted "yes" and Greek Cypriots "no", a result which, the survey shows, deepened the gulf between the communities.