As much as the “usual suspects” may defend him, the British ambassador in Nicosia has made yet another undiplomatic and unethical intervention.
With each public and private statement, he reminds everyone that he represents a (now fading) colonial power. He tries to behave like a governor wanting to guide his subjects under occupation.
Mr. Irfan Siddiq, during the first visit of the UN Secretary-General’s envoy to Cyprus, Ms. María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, intervened to give suggestions, primarily to signal the next moves for her.
He acted as a precursor, offering the… compass.
At a time when the new UN envoy is gauging intentions and boundaries, the British ambassador appeared to provide direction.
Mr. Siddiq rushed to assert that “there is flexibility in the positions expressed by the Turkish side. They want the right to speak of a separate state, which gives them sovereignty, even if they do not fully commit to this position” (interview with Marina Oikonomidou, in Kathimerini).
And how does he conclude that the occupying side does not mean what it says? Because Siddiq and Stuart say so to bolster their narrative? The British ambassador then went on to suggest to Nicosia to offer incentives to the occupying side.
Mr. Siddiq tries to gloss over the Turkish position and asks the Greek Cypriot side to… feed the beast once again.
The British, in discussions in New York on UNFICYP “to not spoil the atmosphere,” cover up Turkish transgressions and adopt a policy of equal distance, meaning in favor of Turkey.
Now? With the clumsy interventions of the British ambassador, are they not afraid to “spoil the atmosphere”? Or does the atmosphere only spoil when Greek Cypriots assert their rights?
Mr. Siddiq said the same thing last March in an interview with Phileleftheros (with Bimbishis and Marathovouniotis). He even hastened to predict that the initiatives of President Christodoulides, who had just been elected, would not “take off,” while reiterating that the Greek side must be generous towards the Turkish side.
Nicosia declares annoyance with the British ambassador’s remarks. How it will react is not known. However, the Foreign Office must feel the annoyance in practice. Because murmuring has no meaning anymore. What needs to be done?
First, there must be an issue with the ambassador’s stance. And this concerns London. Either they… gather him for what he often says, or they “gather” him and replace him. Of course, the issue is not personal; Siddiq expresses political views and obviously has the green light from the Foreign Office to act this way.
But Nicosia should insist on Siddiq’s “sacrifice” to defuse the crisis and send a message to the next one. The Foreign Office plays aggressively, selfishly, and has burned its ambassador.
Second, London has interests in Cyprus, and the British presence on the island is considered geopolitically important. How does it secure these interests?
By undermining the Republic of Cyprus? Being in constant conflict and hindering Nicosia?
Third, Cypriot interests on the island should be linked by Nicosia to London’s behavior in Cyprus.
If they continue at the same pace, there should be a cost.
The Republic of Cyprus should stop facilitations and favors. At the same time, as long as the ambassador continues this behavior, he will not be welcome.
