Written evidence submitted by Tracemed
1. Tracemed is an association of EU and
US individuals who have a special knowledge of, or a special interest
in, political developments in the eastern Mediterranean and in
particular in the facilitation of an equitable future for Cyprus.
2. Tracemed acts under the aegis of the
United Nations Association Trust of the UK.
3. Members of Tracemed have had long-standing
relations with the current and past leaders of the Greek Cypriot
and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus from 1964 until the
present day.
4. We consider, with regret, that since
the 1950s Britain has contributed substantially to the development
of frictions between the communities in Cyprus and to the subverting
of opportunities for communal re-engagement. We do not believe
that this was the will of parliament but rather the outcome of
a determination among some elements of the Foreign Office, the
military and the intelligence community to preserve the security
and effectiveness of British military and intelligence installations
in Cyprus and to safeguard relations with the Turkish army, which
was seen as a primary security- producer for NATO. We consider
that there has sometimes been a demonising of events and leadership
figures in Cyprus in order to advance supposed British interests.
5. We believe that the above were contributory
factors in the lead-up to the Turkish invasion of 1974 and in
subsequent failures to find a valid solution. We also believe
that they have relevance to recent events and particularly to
UK/US efforts to orchestrate a solution in the Burgenstock phase
of the Annan process. We consider that the Greek Cypriot vote
against Annan 5 was a foreseeable reaction to a proposal which,
in its final form, contained elements that were inequitable, conducive
to ethnic separation and in unnecessary derogation of EU and UN
principles. There are reasons to believe that the final formula
of Annan 5 reflected pressure from the Turkish army.
6. We reject the view expressed by some
members of the Foreign Office that the Greek Cypriots must now
"pay the price of their folly", that the Turkish Cypriots
should be rewarded by way of measures which are conducive to further
communal separation or that a lengthy period should elapse before
the international community gives further support to the process
of communal re-engagement and reconciliation. On the contrary,
we believe that the Annan process has moved things forward and
that there are likely during the coming months to be opportunities
for a real advance in Cyprus that will merit the support of HMG.
7. We have a number of concepts that we
feel would help towards a communal settlement in Cyprus, including
new initiatives in the sectors of education, trade, sport, NGOs
and policing and new thinking as to how the EU could facilitate
constructive measures. We also believe that the Cypriot people
should be given more empowerment as to the resolution of their
future, perhaps through a constitutional convention.
8. We should be happy to discuss with your
committee any matters relevant to Cyprus and to related British
policies or actions of which we have knowledge
Martin Packard MBE
Project Director, Tracemed
11 September 2004
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