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 Nicosia: Divided Island, Unified Vision "Cyprus has a population of approximately 800,000 people, supplemented by about 2 million tourists every summer. The majority of the population in the south is Greek Orthodox and in the north, Muslim, with small minorities of Armenians and Maronites.
Life in Europe's last divided capital presents opportunities and challenges for the U.S. mission and its staff. The embassy in Nicosia actively supports efforts by the Cypriot sides to find a political settlement. To this end, in addition to working with the leaders of both sides to establish a bizonal, bicommunal federation through negotiations under U.N. auspices, embassy personnel promote bicommunal activities that bring together Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots from all walks of life. Their vision is a Cyprus that is the common home of all Cypriots.
USIS Nicosia By Judith R. Baroody
At the same time, Cyprus' location between Europe and the Middle East at the confluence of three sea-lanes also enables USIS Nicosia to provide a steady stream of richly varied but cost-effective programs, because fascinating American scholars and artists are always sailing through. The office persuades them to anchor in Cyprus long enough to lecture, exhibit or perform in a way that conveys the best of U.S. cultural and intellectual trends to Cypriots. In terms of the search for peace, USIS' highest-profile task is to support the ambassador and the visits of key U.S. government players on the Cyprus issue by setting up press conferences and interviews, sending out releases and transcripts, and providing daily guidance to a local press corps ravenous for details about U.S. policy developments on "the problem." For such a small country, Cyprus frequently attracts international media attention because of its status as a trip wire for regional conflict. When special emissaries come to town, it's a sure thing that the world is watching. USIS Cyprus also works toward advancing peace by supporting bicommunal activities that bring Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots together face to face. Last year, USIS and the Cyprus-American Fulbright Commission were instrumental in arranging more than 600 bicommunal events, ranging from one-on-one meetings to fairs that attracted thousands. USIS even built a Fulbright Center in the buffer zone to bring the sides together. The center sponsors lectures on topics related to the Cyprus problem, such as federalism, negotiations in divided societies and resolution of protracted interstate conflicts. Meanwhile, USIS helps sustain the strong Cyprus-American friendship with concerts, conferences and art shows in both communities. Cyprus has been defined as the perfect post for a diplomat: paradise with a problem. USIS is devoting a lot of energy to solving the problem, in hopes of helping Aphrodite's isle become even more of paradise.
The author is a public affairs officer in Nicosia. |
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ypriot civilization is among the oldest in the Mediterranean. The island has been ruled by Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Ottomans, and thus has many historic sightseeing opportunities. It was a colony of Great Britain before gaining independence in 1960."
