UN survey says Cypriots choose federal solution as second best option

Although Greek Cypriots favour a unity state as a solution to the Cyprus problem, Turkish Cypriots wish for a two state solution, but both communities consider a federal solution to be the second best for Cyprus.
This was shown in an island – wide poll, presented Tuesday and commissioned by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The survey was conducted in February 2007 with a sample of 1,000 Turkish Cypriots and 1,000 Greek Cypriots.
Regarding the prospects for a settlement, large majorities from both communities are currently sceptical about the prospect of a comprehensive settlement in the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, only small minorities from the two communities seem to believe that “the current status quo is the solution”.
The Greek Cypriots would ideally choose a unitary state solution and the Turkish Cypriots would ideally choose a two state solution.
However, neither of these frameworks would be acceptable simultaneously to the other community as well – Greek Cypriots strongly reject the notion of a two state solution, while Turkish Cypriots strongly reject the notion of a unitary state solution.
A federal solution is seen as second best by both communities – second best to a unitary state for Greek Cypriots, and second best to a two state solution for Turkish Cypriots.
In this spirit, and seen as a compromise option, large majorities of both communities would at least be willing to tolerate a federal solution.
Only 30% of Turkish Cypriots and 35% of Greek Cypriots would under any circumstances and regardless of the specific plan, reject a federal solution to the Cyprus Problem.
More Turkish Cypriots than Greek Cypriots consider a federal settlement of the Cyprus Problem to be ‘satisfactory’.
Greek Cypriots, in contrast, tend to view a federal settlement as merely ’tolerable’.
As in previous years, the level of trust between the two communities remains very low. Majorities of both communities believe that, even if a comprehensive settlement is achieved, the other community cannot be trusted to stay loyal to what has been agreed. Moreover, each of the two communities seems to misperceive the intentions of the other with regard to the type of settlement preferred.
The process that led up to the Annan Plan in 2004 is seen as controversial by the Greek Cypriots and acceptable by the Turkish Cypriots. In contrast, the “Gambari Process” that is currently underway is seen as simultaneously acceptable both by the Greek Cypriot public and by the Turkish Cypriot public.
In relation to the current “Gambari Process”, a majority of Greek Cypriots believes that the UN is biased in favour of Turkish Cypriots, while a majority of Turkish Cypriots believes that the UN is biased in favour of Greek Cypriots.
Faith in the UN’s impartiality and efficacy translates into increased support for the process, while the desire for coexistence with the other community and a settlement of the Cyprus problem also leads people to view the process favourably.
However, one factor that seems to influence people of both communities towards disapproval of the UN process is if they read the mainstream daily newspapers.
Large majorities of both communities would welcome initiatives that would bring the peace process in closer contact with the public in Cyprus.Regarding UN role, both communities consider that the UN has an important role to play in Cyprus and that its presence here is essential.
Almost all Turkish Cypriots respond that they feel somewhat or very secure living in Cyprus, in contrast, over half of the Greek Cypriots respond that they feel somewhat or very insecure.
The main source of Turkish Cypriot security is the presence of the Turkish Army in Cyprus, a factor which is the main source of insecurity for the Greek Cypriots, who consider the notion that the Turkish Army may move aggressively against them in the future to be a definite possibility.
The survey showed that the UN Peacekeeping Force is the only military force in Cyprus that simultaneously enhances the sense of security both of Greek Cypriots and of Turkish Cypriots.
Majorities in both communities say they consider UNFICYP to be a positive presence on the island, and deem as negative any scenario in which UNFICYP withdraws prior to the restoration of normality.
Regarding the crossing between the two sides, the vast majority of Greek Cypriots who have crossed chose to restrict themselves to a visit to their pre-1974 home, often combining the trip with a religious pilgrimage to an Orthodox church or monastery.
Most Turkish Cypriots cross to the government controlled areas for excursions, shopping, working, medical care or for acquiring official documentations from the Republic of Cyprus.
Even though both communities generally accept and acknowledge the merits and benefits of bicommunal contact, there doesn’t seem to be “meaningful contacts” between them.
UNFICYP will use the survey’s results to more effectively assist Cypriots in their search for a peaceful resolution.
The Republic of Cyprus entered the EU in May 2004. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.