Synopses & Reviews
Surpassing the many other works on the Cyprus conflict, this book offers the best existing summary of the Cyprus negotiations. The book comes at a critical time for the partitioned island-state of Cyprus and for those associated with the conflict and attempts to resolve it. By placing the conflict in its historical, ideological, ethno-political and geostrategic context, the book extends beyond conventional realist approaches and lays bare those less visible dimensions that are often ignored by analysts and policy-makers alike. The book is of direct interest not only to experts and students but to all those engaged in the practice of conflict resolution.
Review
“In his vivid account of the Cyprus conflict, Michális Stavrou Michael provides us with the most articulate researched analysis of the Cyprus peace process during the last decades. Resolving the Cyprus Conflict is a reference for politicians, policy-makers, academics, journalists, NGOs, and students involved with the Cyprus problem.”--Boutros Boutros-Ghali, United Nations secretary-general (1992-1996)
“Michális Stavrou Michaels book is a fine resource for any who seek an unbiased overview of efforts to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem. With its rich historical detail, its meticulous narrative of the many phases of negotiation, and its cool, fair language, this is one of the most comprehensive accounts of the international rivalry and local mistakes that have kept the island divided.”--Gareth Evans, president, International Crisis Group (2000-09) and foreign minister of Australia (1988-96)
“This book offers the best summary of the Cyprus negotiations that I have come across. Michaels description of attempts by third parties to help negotiate a solution to the Cyprus conflict--one that has defied the efforts of the worlds best diplomats over the past 40 years--is clear and detailed, without getting bogged down in extraneous material.”-- Benjamin Broome, professor, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University
"Michael has clearly managed to provide an objective presentation of the different dimensions of the Cyprus conflict. Michael's objectivity depends largely on his ethnically blind arguments and interpretations of historical events and sociopolitical facts. Archival data, concrete factual knowledge, and rational interpretation of the views and behavior of sociopolitical actors help to increase the objectivity of the book....There is no doubt that the objective methods employed in this analysis will make Michael's book useful for scholars and readers of the Cyprus problem."
--Journal of Peace Research 48(2), March 2011
Synopsis
By placing the conflict in its historical, ideological, ethno-political and geostrategic context, the book extends beyond conventional realist approaches and lays bare those less visible dimensions that are often ignored by analysts and policy-makers alike.
About the Author
Michális Stavrou Michael is the deputy director of the Centre for Dialogue at La Trobe University. His research interest involves the multidisciplinary interfacing of conflict resolution, intercultural/inter-religious dialogue, international relations and political sociology. Currently he heads two major projects, “Developing an Interfaith/Intercultural Network for Melbournes Northern Region” and “Dialogue Diaspora: Locating Diaspora in Conflict in Australia.” Recent publications include the co-edited books Asia-Pacific Geopolitics: Cyprus in the Modern World (2005), Asia-Pacific Geopolitics: Hegemony versus Human Security (2007), Europe between Islam and the United States (2008), and Civilizational Dialogue and World Order: The Other Politics of Cultures, Religions and Civilizations in International Relations (2009).
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Cyprus Conflict * 1 Identifying the Sources of the Conflict * Colonialism, Modernity and Nationalism * Transformation of the Conflict: Phases and Thresholds * 2 A Prisoner’s Dilemma * Enunciation of Positions: Greek and Turkish Cypriot Perspectives * Defining the UN’s Role: Mediation in Progress * The Vienna Talks: Facilitative Approach * The Quest for Federalism * The Mediator Intervenes: Waldheim’s Evaluation * US Intervention * Peripheral Issues: Varosha and “Good Will” Measures * Negotiation Impact Assessment: Adapting to the “New Realities” * 3 Faltering UN Involvement * Hardening of Dispositions: Allagi and Unilateralism * Proximity Talks and the New York High-Level Meeting: Lessons Learned * Challenging the President: Greek Cypriot Domestic Political Crisis * Turkish Cypriot Opposition and the Politics of Population * Pérez de Cuéllar’s Draft Agreement * Alternatives: International Conference and Beyond * Davos and Greek-Turkish Rapprochement * A Social Impact Statement * 4 The End of an Era? * Pérez de Cuéllar’s Last Stand * Boutros-Ghali’s Set of Ideas: the Mediator Intervenes * Confidence-Building Measures * The Neglected Track * 5 Towards Annan’s “European” Solution * Imminent Mutual Catastrophe: Russian Missiles and US Diplomacy * Europeanization of the Conflict * From the Bosporus to Brussels (via the Green Line) * EU Impact on Inter- and Intra- Communal Political Space * The Annan Plan * Conclusion—“And Bring all Cyprus Comfort” * 3+1 Settlement Scenarios: Unitary, Federal or Two-State Solutions * Beyond the Discourse: Contemplating Certain Lessons