Cyprus

By Barnaby Phillips in Europe on August 24th, 2010
Photo by EPA

The mark of a great leader is being prepared to tell your people what they don't want to hear.

It's being ready to stand up for what you believe is right, even when this entails overruling cautious advisers, or ignoring discouraging opinion polls.

A great leader knows that vindication may not come immediately, that received wisdom can move slowly (sometimes too slowly, in a democracy, to secure re-election).

But in the long run, we can see who stands on the right side of history, and who does not.

Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk, each former South African presidents, fit into the former category. 

Both men have flawed records, (yes, even Mandela) but at a crucial time they had the courage and wisdom to steer South Africa away from the abyss.

They dismayed hardliner supporters with their willingness, firstly, to talk to the other side, and secondly, to then make painful compromises. 

By Nicole Johnston in Middle East on June 4th, 2010
Photo by Bradley McLennan

 

Out of sight and out of mind.

For almost three years the plight of Gaza’s 1.5 million people had gradually faded from view. The international condemnation from Israel’s conduct during the war with Gaza had dimmed.  It seemed Gaza was no longer a story.

And then the Freedom Flotilla set sail from Cyprus.

Suddenly people were interested again.

By Jamal Elshayyal in Middle East on May 30th, 2010



A flotilla of aid ships left a port in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon bound for the Gaza Strip.

A total of six ships were expected to set sail carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists destined for Gaza in defiance of an Israeli embargo on the Palestinian territory.

The flotilla from Turkey, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Greece, Kuwait and Algeria is carrying roughly 10,000 tonnes of aid, including cement, water-purification systems and wheelchairs.

Al Jazeera's Jamal El-shayyal spent 24 hours on board the Mavi Marmara - the lead ship in the Freedom Flotilla.

In this video blog, he looks at what is on board and how the 600 passengers are coping with what is already proving to be a difficult mission.

By Barnaby Phillips in Europe on December 30th, 2009
Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou / Photo by AFP

2010 is fast upon us. Here are some brief thoughts, and even a few predictions, on the critical issues for the year ahead in some of the countries I follow closely in southern and eastern Europe.

1) Cyprus

Talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the reunification of the island are moving slowly, and there’s growing concern that a window of opportunity is closing. The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, may lose elections in April to a more nationalist opponent. In which case, it will be even harder to stitch together a deal.

You might wonder why Cyprus matters. I can think of two reasons. Firstly, because progress towards reunification in Cyprus is intricately linked to the situation in Turkey. European leaders want to see if Turkey is prepared to encourage the Turkish Cypriots to reach an agreement. If a deal can be done, a significant obstacle to Turkey’s accession to the EU will have been removed.

By Barnaby Phillips in Europe on October 12th, 2009
Photo by AFP

It could be a breath of fresh air in a region gone stale. Greece's new prime minister, George Papandreou, will bring new initiatives and energy to some apparently intractable problems in southeastern Europe.

He's known as a skilled diplomat. He served as foreign minister in a previous government, and has given himself the same portfolio in his new administration. 

Here are three thorny issues Mr Papandreou will have to grapple with:

1) Cyprus

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