COMBATING VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN CYPRUS

SECRET NICOSIA 001565

SIPDIS

CORRECTED COPY - ADDRESSEES ADDED
FOR: R, P, EUR/PD, EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2015
TAGS: EAID KDEM PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: COMBATING VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN CYPRUS

REF: STATE 155954

Classified By: CA a.i. Jane Zimmerman. Reasons: 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (S) Summary: On Cyprus, the Cyprus issue itself dominates
the agenda and colors nearly every aspect of life. This
includes the problem of violent extremism, which is typically
charted on an ethnic Turkish-Greek axis rather than through
the lens of an Islamic-Christian, East-West, or
religious-secular divide. Thankfully, incidents of physical
violence are few and far between. The opening of the
checkpoints along the green line in April 2003 that allowed
real interaction between the two communities for the first
time in thirty years has further improved the environment.
Still, hate speech directed against "the other" is quite
common and largely socially-acceptable on both sides of the
Green Line. Post has an extensive series of active programs
in place to promote tolerance, reconciliation between the two
communities, and the reunification of the island in a
bizonal, bicommunal federation. End Summary.


2. (S) Post,s bicommunal efforts may have helped keep the
lid on Greek Cypriot-Turkish Cypriot extremism and fostered
support, especially in the Muslim north, for cooperation
between the two sides. A large percentage of the Turkish
Cypriot population has participated in bicommunal programs
and adopted a more favorable view of cooperating with Greek
Cypriots. Prior to the April 2004 referendum, Denktash, an
adamant opponent of the Annan Plan, claimed publicly that his
people had been brainwashed, by Fulbright to support a
solution. However, the large Turkish immigrant community,
approximately half of the population in the north, have, with
a few possible exceptions, not been involved in post,s
bicommunal efforts, largely because of the GOC,s objections.
Although not viewed at present as a threat, the settlers are
a large and largely unknown source of new outreach.


3. There is also a growing population of third-country
nationals in both the north and the south, including a
sizeable group of foreign students as well as laborers, and
asylum seekers. Septel includes a thorough analysis of the
potential dangers of political and ideological extremism
associated with this population. Post has a number of
programs in place that will help mitigate these risks,
including intensive outreach efforts to leading universities
on both sides of the green line -- particularly those like
EMU in the north and Intercollege in the south, where the
language of instruction in English. Our efforts to raise the
profile of the problems of trafficking in persons has a
direct impact on the lives of many of the third-country
nationals employed in the construction and commercial sex
industries. While the role of third-country nations is
potentially significant, the greatest risk from extremism is
still ethnically-driven intolerance and tensions between the
dominant Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. It is
in this area that we are devoting the bulk of Embassy
resources and where we have had our greatest success.


4. Approximately $13.5 in Economic Support Funds (ESF),as
well as a large portion of PAS funds are devoted each year to
bicommunal programs and efforts to support a settlement of
the Cyprus issue. ESF reach Cypriots through three programs:
the Cyprus America Scholarship Program (CASP),the Bicommunal
Support Program (BSP) and the Bicommunal Development Program
(BDP). PAS organizes Embassy outreach and International
Visitor Programs. All of these programs are designed to
bring Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots together to promote
tolerance and increase support for reunification. There is a
smaller subset of projects that engage religious
leaders/clerics, target non-elite segments of society, or
other particularly relevant audiences. They are presented in
detail paragraphs 9-24.


Post efforts at monitoring and dealing with extremism


5. (S) Post watches the hate website and press closely and
works with government officials, educators, NGOs, and other
multipliers and will continue conducting the type of programs
mentioned in paras 9-24. Post reaches Muslim youth by
conducting programs in the north, where more than 99 per cent
of inhabitants are Muslim. New programs involve a small grant
to the Inter Cultural Center of Cyprus, an NGO which promotes
cooperation between the two sides. Under the grant,
bicommunal teams will study tolerance, bullying, and
racism in the school system. A one-year &English for
Specific Purposes8 program for 50 Turkish civil servants and
journalists was designed to promote bicommunal dialogue by
giving this key group the tools to communicate with the other
side. Post is starting a media ethics program involving
Eastern Mediterranean University in the north and Inter
College in the south, which will service nearby institutions.
A bicommunal group of Greek and Turkish Cypriot musicians
will perform in a Daniel Pearl Tribute
Concert in October with a message of promoting tolerance,
peace, and cross cultural understanding.


6. Post has worked with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot banking
systems to strengthen accountability and to prevent the
illicit flows of funds. Post is also cooperating informally
with the UK to help the Turkish Cypriots (T/Cs) address some
of their vulnerabilities to the potential abuse of their
financial system by terrorists. A U.S. money
laundering/terrorist finance expert is providing informal
advice on draft T/C money laundering legislation. A FinCen
(Treasury) official gave an informal seminar to T/C
regulators last year. Bearing Point is working with the
private banks as well as regulators to improve their
procedures and practices.


Host Government Efforts


7. (S) Within the prism of the Cyprus issue, the north has
removed many books promoting hatred of the other side. This
is less true for the south, which has much material
demonizing the other side. Under the guise of educational
reform, the Ministry of Education in the south still recently
directed schools to give special emphasis to (Greek)
nationalism and strengthening the historical memory of the
loss and 'enslavement' of patriarchal land. On the positive
side, the educational system is open to women,
accepts pluralism, and open intellectual exchange outside of
the Cyprus issue.


Programming Obstacles


8. (S) The GOC is not a big supporter of bicommunal programs.
Because Cyprus functions from the top down, government
directives can weaken or destroy NGOs which promote civil
society. The GOC, for example, does not recognize NGOs in the
north unless they are part of international organizations.
This limits the level of cooperation possible between the two
sides and the number of groups which can participate in
follow-up activities. The initial energy and goodwill
generated by a program can disappear as the difficulty of
working together from separate communities sinks in. One of
the biggest challenges for program providers is designing
sustainable programs that can build on previous successes.
Without government support, it is not possible to recruit
opponents of the Annan Plan (the 'no' voters) to participate
in bicommunal discussions. On the U.S. side, the Nethercutt
Amendment, which applies to FY 2005 Economic Support Funds
(ESF),prohibits "assistance to the government of a country"
that has not entered into an Article 98 agreement with the
U.S. regarding the International Criminal Court. Without
relief language referring to Cyprus, the Nethercutt Amendment
will exclude GOC officials and have devastating effects on
future ESF programs (SEPTEL). Support for bicommunal
activities remains strong in the north, where significant
proportion of the educated public has participated in
bicommunal activities. The following are relevant programs
per para 5 of reftel.


Cyprus America Scholarship Program - CASP


9. (C) Bicommunal Summer Youth Camp
a. Brief Description: This two-week program aims to promote
bicommunal understanding and tolerance among Cypriot youth.
The program consists of bicommunal dialogue, indoor and
out-door trust and team-building exercises, community work,
and social activities. By breaking down cultural barriers and
deeply held misconceptions, this program provides
opportunities for Cypriot youth to build relationships and
trust with their peers from the other community, as well as
teaching and nurturing communication and leadership skills.
b. Intended Target Audience: Cypriot high school students
ages 15 and 16.
c. Size of Audience: 20 Greek Cypriot students and 20
Turkish Cypriot students - equally divided between male and
female.
d. How Long In Existence: 9 years
e. Assessment: The bicommunal Summer Youth Camps are the most
successful bicommunal programs implemented by the Commission.
Applications from interested students run into the hundreds,
and each year the numbers increase slightly as the program
becomes more widely known across Cyprus. This program
resulted in the creation of the bicommunal youth movement
known as YEP (Youth for Peace) to which hundreds of teenagers
and young adults belong. Each year at least 30% of the
current year,s youth camps participants
join YEP. Participants maintain contact with each other upon
their return to Cyprus and report that this program has
succeeded in promoting tolerance, understanding and
communication across the green line among Cyprus, youth. f.
Suggestions for Improvement: Reports from the facilitators of
the youth camp state that there were more students this year
who were not willing to make efforts to get to know students
from the other community; rather they were looking for a free
holiday to the U.S. The Commission will select candidates
more carefully and adjust the program this year in order to
create a program that meets
its intended goals.


10. (C) Summer Academic Term
a. Brief Description: The Summer Academic Term provides
students with a first-hand experience at a U.S. university
and it provides the opportunity for constant interaction
between members of the two communities during their time in
the U.S. Students are invited to take two undergraduate
summer classes at a U.S. university while living together in
a large multi-story university campus house. The program has
taken place at Boston University since its inception, where
there is an abundance of university student life both on
campus and in the city.
b. Intended Target Audience: Cypriot university or college
level students preferably in their second or third year of
studies.
c. Size of audience: 7 Greek Cypriots and 7 Turkish Cypriots
d. How Long in Existence: 2 years
e. Assessment: Initially launched as a pilot program, it was
repeated this year Due to its enormous success. The
participants of the 2004 program still meet regularly in
Cyprus. The U.S. Ambassador invited this group twice to give
presentations on their experiences; one of these meetings was
for a group of U.S. congressmen at the U.S. Embassy. Most
participants were also able to gain credit for the courses
they took at Boston University towards their degree at their
local institution.
f. Suggestions for Improvement: Extra efforts will be placed
on the selection of participants after receiving reports that
students found the courses at Boston University too
difficult. Students, level of English is one of the problem
areas. An effort will be made to select students who are
serious about following the academic component of the
program.


11. (C) Conflict Resolution Workshop
a. Brief Description: This five-day workshop for recipients
of the Cyprus-America Scholarships seeks to equip young Greek
and Turkish Cypriots with the latest practical skills and
tools for dealing with conflict and managing differences in
order to enable them to improve their interactions and
relationships between the two communities. The Conflict
Management Group (CMG) conducts this program at a conference
facility in West Virginia every May.
b. Intended Target Audience: CASP students primarily senior
undergraduates and graduate students.
c. Size: Approximately 26
d. How long in existence: 13 years (not consecutive)
f. Assessment: Many participants describe the program as a
life-changing experience. The program provides a unique
opportunity for CASP students to exchange experiences and
ideas and get to know each other on neutral ground. The CMG
is outstanding in its understanding of the Cyprus Problem,
and in its approach in dealing with such delicate issues with
CASP students. The rural location of the conference center
allowsllogue and bonding between the
participants.
g. Suggestions for Improvement: Efforts are ongoing as the
Commission supports proposals that are up to date in their
understanding of the Cyprus issues and that can handle the
level of sophistication of the participants. These students
are on the verge of returning to Cyprus and may soon become
the next generation of Cyprus leaders. Participants need the
continued opportunity to communicate in an in-depth
level to promote tolerance, understanding and trust between
members of the other community.


Bicommunal Support Program - BSP


12. (C) Leadership & Community Service Initiative
a. Brief Description: Under the auspices of the American
University,s School of International Service, this
bicommunal youth leadership program works to promote civic
awareness and engagement, collaborative leadership, and an
appreciation of diversity among Greek Cypriot and Turkish
Cypriot youth, as well as between Cypriot youth and American
society through training sessions at AU and internships at
U.S.-based community service institutions. Volunteer activity
at a Cyprus-based community service organization is required
upon completion of the program.
b. Intended target audience: Greek Cypriot and Turkish
Cypriot third year university students
c. Size: 30 (15 GCs and 15 TCs)
d. How long in existence: 3 years
e. Assessment: This program maintains the highest application
rate ever for BSP, as we continue to target young leaders
attending Cypriot universities. Over the past three years,
BSP has worked closely with Cypriot youth participants and
program implementers affiliated with the American University
to create a meaningful leadership and community service
initiative. In 2004-2005, the Bicommunal Team evaluating the
program shifted focus and included a Cyprus-based component
to the initiative that requires all
participants to carry out volunteer activities with a
Cyprus-based NGO for a six-month period. During the second
week of September 2005, BSP and program implementer,
AMIDEAST, held a one-day workshop to assess program success,
and to help participants network with local NGOs.
f. Suggestions for improvement: Efforts at improving this
program focus on establishing a strong Cyprus-based follow-on
component. This year, BSP will continue to work with
AMIDEAST, AU, and the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot
participants to create meaningful and sustainable on-island
activities that help participants apply skills learned and
maintain bicommunal networks and collaborations.


13. (C) Youth Summer Camps
a. Brief Description: With a view to promoting tolerance and
multicultural awareness, leadership and team building skills,
BSP supported two U.S.-based summer camps: Bold Leaders
Summer Camp hosted by Critical Mass Leadership Education,
Inc., Denver, Co., and the Pro-active Leadership camp under
the auspices of the Alliance for Conflict Transformation,
Amherst, MA. Activities focused on conflict transformation,
cross-cultural communication, outdoor challenge activities,
and structured socializing and relaxing.
b. Intended target audience: Greek Cypriot and Turkish
Cypriot high school students (15/16 year olds)
c. Size: Critical Mass Leadership: 44 (22 GCs and 22 TCs);
Alliance for Conflict Transformation 32 (16 GCs and 16 TCs)
d. How long in existence: Critical Mass Leadership: 2 years;
Alliance for Conflict Transformation: 1 year
e. Assessment: At follow-on meetings organized by the Embassy
and AMIDEAST, campers clearly demonstrated how this program
contributed in significant ways to their own personal growth
as well as to their apeespect for diversity.
Campers communicate and meet regularly. Because of the
success of the Critical Mass Leadership camp in 2004,
participant numbers were increased in 2005 from 30 to 44
campers and BSP decided to award a grant to another camp
provider --the Alliance for Conflict
Transformation.
f. Suggestions for improvement: Efforts at improving this
program focus on continuing the momentum in Cyprus so that
bicommunal networks based on respect, tolerance, and mutual
understanding are sustained.
The strengthening of youth-oriented tolerance initiatives
remains a BSP priority and prospective programs and projects
should continue to target youth in different and meaningful
ways.


Embassy Outreach: Embassy employees visit institutions and
speak on issues related to tolerance and extremism. The
following is a sample from last year:


14. (C) International Terrorism
a. Brief Description: September 10, 2004 - Ambassador Klosson
was the keynote speaker on "International
Terrorism" during a 9/11 ceremony organized at the U.S.
Embassy in Nicosia.
b. Audience: 100 Embassy wardens.
c. Assessment: The program was very effective in reminding
people about the destructive effects of terrorism and U.S.
efforts in combating this serious problem.
d. Improvement: The program could be enlarged to include
public and private sector officials, businessmen, academics,
and media representatives.


15. (C) Cyprus and the Middle East
a. Brief Description: Ambassador Klosson was the keynote
speaker on "U.S. Foreign Policy in Cyprus and the Middle
East." March 29, 2005 held at the Fulbright Center in the
buffer zone.
b. Audience: 250 bicommunal audience from the following
groups:
a) Cyprus Association of American University Graduates; b)
Turkish Cypriot American Association; c)
Fulbright Alumni Association;
c. Effectiveness The program succeeded in explaining the
factors that influence U.S. foreign policy formulation in
Cyprus and the Middle East and efforts made by the U.S. and
its allies in combating international terrorism.
d. Improvement The program could have included more groups
from the Turkish Cypriot community.


16. (C) U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East
a. Brief Description: Political Officer Matthew Palmer spoke
on "U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East" at the University
of Cyprus on April 14, 2005
b. Audience: 35 University of Cyprus students and faculty
members.
c. Effectiveness: The program was effective in explaining
the American viewpoint on regional issues including terrorism.
d. Improvement: The program could have been organized at a
more convenient time in order to include more students and
faculty members.


International Visitor Program: The following are relevant
programs from last year.


17. (C) "Combating International Crime."
a. Brief Description: Mr. Georgos Economou,
Officer-in-Charge, Famagusta Drug Law Enforcement Unit
participated in an IV program September 18-October 9, 2004.
The program focused on foreign policy issues of concern to
Europe and the U.S., including counter terrorism and security
issues.
b. Effectiveness: Mr. Economou returned to Cyprus with a
better understanding of U.S. institutions involved in the
combat of international crime. He also learned about the
efforts made by international partners against cross-border
criminal activities.
c. Improvement: More Cypriot officials should be nominated
for participation in similar programs.


18. (C) "Foreign Policy Challenges."
a. Brief Description: Ms. Yonca Senyigit, Secretary (right
hand) to the Turkish Cypriot "Prime Minister" Mehmet Ali
Talat participated in an IV program February 28-March 18,

2005. The program focused on foreign policy issues of concern
to Europe and the U.S., including counter terrorism and
security issues.
b. Effectiveness: Ms. Senyigit returned to Cyprus from her IV
experience with increased understanding of the U.S. political
system and the major domestic and international issues that
influence foreign policy formulation including terrorism,
defense, and international crime.
c. Improvement The program would have been more effective if
it had been bicommunal, i.e., if a Greek Cypriot official was
also nominated for the same program. This would have allowed
direct communication between Cypriots who can play a role in
domestic and international security issues.


Cultural Programs

19 (C) "U.S. Policy Under the New Administration."
a. Brief Description: U.S. Speaker John Sitilides, Executive
Director, Western Policy Center delivered talks on "U.S.
Policy Under the New Administration" February 3-4, 2005.
Programs were organized in both Cypriot communities.
Sitilides analyzed the domestic and international factors
that influence U.S. foreign policy formulation and explained
the Washington perspective on the most important
international issues that cause instability in different
parts of the world. He also described U.S. foreign policy
in the southeastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
b. Audience: 200 individuals from the political, business,
academic and NGOs, sectors.
c. Effectiveness: Very high. As a result of his comments,
many popular myths were dispelled about the motives behind
U.S. foreign policy, specifically those areas relating to
military intervention. Attendees gained a better
understanding of where local issues, such as the Cyprus
Problem, fit in with broader U.S. foreign policy goals.
d. Improvement More bicommunal programs should have been
organized.


20. (C) "Playing for Peace"
a. Brief Description: The Apple Hill Chamber Players
performed in concerts in public schools and other public
venues in both communities February 14-17, 2005 under the
theme "Playing for Peace." Music workshops were also
organized for music students. The Playing for Peace project
is using music as a way to further the causes of world peace
and understanding.
b. Audience: 1,700 musicians and music lovers attended the
performances and workshops, including younger audiences.
c. Effectiveness: The Apple Hill program exposed Cypriot
audiences to American classical music and conveyed the
message that music can contribute to peace and friendship
rather than resentment and antagonism. It generated contacts
with the local secondary education system and enabled us
address Post's new priority of reaching out to younger
audiences.
d. Improvement: More program days would allow post to program
group in other cities and to organize more
bicommunal events.


The Bicommunal Development Program (BDP)


21. USAID/Cyprus promotes tolerance and combats extremism
through the BDP, which is implemented by the United Nations
Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with authorities
(from the Republic of Cyprus and the unrecognized &Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus8) and civil society. Projects
include the preservation of Cyprus, common cultural heritage
(including churches, mosques and cemeteries that have been
inaccessible to their communities for decades),protection of
Cyprus, shared environment and natural resources, promotion
of unrestricted communication means such as the internet, and
strengthening of civil society. Examples of three projects
focused on countering extremism and at risk groups are
described below.


22. (C) Education for Peace
a. Brief description: AKTI and POST, Greek Cypriot and
Turkish Cypriot NGOs, respectively, conducted this pilot
project to review 6th grade history and literature books. The
results indicate that "school education is an organic part of
the ethnic conflict in Cyprus" and that the curriculum on
each side promotes fear, mistrust, and even hatred by
"demonizing" the other. Recommendations focused on
educational reform that would help students develop respect
for ethnic, religious and cultural diversity. The results of
the project were presented to the public, educational
authorities and leaders on both sides of the island.
b. Intended Target Audience: Educational Authorities and
Community Leaders
c. Length: 1-year
d. Assessment: Initial reactions to the results were more
positive than expected. Follow up programs will include the
development of supplementary teaching materials. Authorities
on both sides have indicated that they must lead educational
reform (including text book revision),but would welcome
assistance in developing supplementary teaching materials on
topics like conflict resolution in
the classroom.
e. Suggestions for Improvement: An expanded approach that
brings in international expertise from the U.S. and Europe.


23. (C) Akova, Lefka and Prosvasi Community Centers
a. Brief Description: The community centers project provides
seed funding to community groups to establish and run centers
for at risk community groups. Services have include language
lessons (English, Greek for Turkish speakers, Turkish for
Greek speakers),computer and internet lessons, basic
business courses, and conflict resolution.
b. Intended Target Audience: Disempowered women and youth in
rural and poor urban communities.
c. Length: Varied, over five years.
d. Assessment: Although each of the centers has encountered
unique obstacles, they have all managed to reach out to their
target audience and change attitudes.
e. Suggestions for Improvement: The program could be improved
with support for additional centers and more opportunities
for networking both between the communities and
internationally.


24. (C) On-island Summer Youth Camps
a. Brief Description: Local NGOs implemented eleven on-island
summer youth camps focused on popular themes such as
environment, culture and sports. Each camp included conflict
resolution and peace building as a sub-theme. In the summer
of 2005 alone, the camps reached more than 600 young people
between the ages of 8 and 25. Most of the young people who
participated would not have had the opportunity to
participate in USG-funded youth camps in the U.S. because
they would not have met the strict eligibility requirements
(GPA, etc.).
b. Intended Target Audience: Youth from all walks of life,
with emphasis on those in rural and disadvantaged areas.
c. Length: First year. Pilot program.
d. Assessment: By all accounts the program was successful.
Formal assessment is currently in progress.
e. Suggestions for Improvement: Individual youth camps could
be coordinated with one another and more opportunities could
be provided for follow up activity.

ZIMMERMAN