UN authorized to seek submissions for Cyprus flag and anthem

[January 24, 2003 - 10.45 GMT]

The two leaders of Cyprus have authorized the United Nations (UN) to seek submissions for a flag and anthem for Cyprus through public competition, the UN announced yesterday.

Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, authorized the UN as foreseen in the proposal for a comprehensive settlement put to them by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The UN is trying to bring peace to the island ravaged by decades of conflict.

The parties agreed that this procedure needed to be set in motion if a flag and anthem were to be ready to be included in a completed agreement by February 28 2003, the deadline set by the UN for a political settlement, so as to enable the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to decide on the settlement in separate referenda on March 30.

The process is running to a tight timetable. Both communities would vote on the proposals on March 30, and if they say yes, a new Cyprus would be born.

Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean. Scenery and climate alike seem to justify the classical reputation of Cyprus as the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. The northern shore faces Turkey, while the Greek mainland is 500 miles away. Since 1974 Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been living separately, divided by a so-called "green line", a buffer zone patrolled by the United Nations.

“It is understood that the flag and anthem would only be adopted as part of a comprehensive settlement if the entire plan is approved in the separate referenda and a new state of affairs comes into being,” the UN said in a statement issued in Cyprus.

“This decision reflects a shared commitment to ensure that all preparations are made for a completed agreement in accordance with the timeframe proposed by the Secretary-General. It should not be taken as an indication of the state of play in the ongoing negotiations.”

PRINT THIS STORY

Contact Information: Send mail to gosl@presidentsl.org with questions or comments about this web site. 
Last Updated Date: January 24, 2003  - 10.45 GMT.