Christofias Says Cyprus Pays Price for Sanctions, Explosive Mix With Downer

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, September 22 -- When Cypriot President Demetris Christofias took questions after his speech to the UN General Assembly, Inner City Press asked him not about oil about exploding stored ammunition, and of UN envoy Alexander Downer.

Christofias told Inner City Press, "You mixed the weapons, the explosion with Downer... this is a very dangerous mixture." There was laughter. Video here, from Minute 23:25.

He continued, "We store in Cyprus these materials, trying to be consistent in implementing UN Security Council resolutions of sanctions against Iran. We tried to avoid it. Unfortunately we are forced to take and store it."

Christofias paused and asked, "Why the explosion? It's a matter of investigation. At end of month they are going to have the result. Then we could say more, anyway... Implementation of UN Security Council resolutions is paid by a very high price by the Republic of Cyprus."

Turning philosophic, Christofias posed another question: Why we try to follow UN Security Council? On these resolutions we base our struggle to put an end to occupation."

The Cypriot Permanent Representative and chair of the Host County Committee Minas Hadjimichael whispered, and Christofias said to him, "Human rights, if you want to, we mention, of course."

Then he changed topics: "Alexander Downer is Alexander Downer, we watch, we follow. He control us, we control him." (At this, the moderator looked quizzical.)

Christofias concluded that Cyprus is "in a daily dialogue, we have good relations despite sometimes we don't have the same opinion on some matters. This is democracy. This is life. I'm ready to continue the dialogue, for with Mr. Eroglu, then with with Secretary General, with the presence his special adviser Alexander Downer." So there.

On Cyprus, Two Views of Downer, “No Right to Be Exhausted,” Disclosure Still Lacking, Lobbying Not Precluded

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, September 25 -- The President of Cyprus Dimitris Christofias, and leader of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Dervis Eroglu, talked at cross purposes to the Press at the UN on September 24 and 25.

Inner City Press asked each about the performance of UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer, a former Australian diplomat who now moonlights with the business consultancy Bespoke Approach.

Eroglu had been quoted that the Greek Cypriots are “exhausting Downer's patience.” When Inner City Press asked Christofias about the quote, he replied that “Alexander Downer has no right to be exhausted. He's a Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General for two years, maybe less than two years... We have to be patient.” Video here, from Minute 18:15.

Inner City Press waited until the next morning to ask Eroglu the same question. Eroglu denied his quote in the Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris, by way of Famagusta Gazette, adopted the more diplomatic position that Downer must be and is neutral. This was said in Turkish, through an interpreter. Eroglu added in English, to Inner City Press, that Downer is “young.. enough.”

In fact, Downer was walking jauntily about the UN this week. Some wondered whether his ubiquity was entirely related to his Cyprus portfolio for the UN, or might be related to or assist in his private for profit work for the clients of Bespoke Approach.

Inner City Press has several times asked Downer to disclose his outside business interests and clients, so that possible conflicts of interest could be assessed. Downer has refused, insisting that his work for example for Chinese firms wanting to do business in Australia has nothing to do with Cyprus.

But consider this: a part time Special Adviser or Special Representative like Alexander Downer, or Tony Blair, or Matthew Nimitz, is given full access to the UN. People including world leaders will take these people's call, sometimes in part due to the UN connection. Can this be abused? Should there be disclosure and then reform? Watch this site.

Footnote: Eroglu's stakeout took place before 10 a.m. on Saturday in the UN's Temporary North Lawn Building. While security outside on First Avenue and 42nd Street was post-Obama being dismantled, inside the UN buzzed with bilateral meetings.

Inner City Press spoke, for forthcoming stories, with for example the Permanent Representatives of Uganda and South Africa, in the midst of bilateral meetings, and the Foreign Minister of Indonesia. The mood was collegial, with an air of relief that the most tense part of the General Debate is over. The Permanent Representative of Malaysia asked Inner City Press, “Working on Saturday?” Yes. Watch this site.