Cyprus' UN General Assembly Presidency Bid Sparks Diplomatic Controversy

Cyprus' decision to run for the presidency of the UN general assembly has sparked controversy, with concerns that the country is being played against the Palestinians and risks alienating itself from the majority of UN member states. The development comes as an international conference on the Palestinian question is underway in New York, convened by the UN and chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Cyprus' candidate, Andreas Kakouris, would be in a tough competition against Palestinian Riyad Mansour, who is considered a favourite due to the recent tragedy in Gaza.

Key Takeaways:

• Cyprus has secretly decided to pay for a costly campaign in New York to get Andreas Kakouris elected to the presidency of the UN general assembly, with estimated costs between Pound 10,000 and Pound 15,000 a month.
• The campaign stipulates Kakouris would be in New York for a long period of time before the elections, named 'head of mission', and would be paid a salary and all expenses.
• If Cyprus goes ahead with its candidacy, it runs the risk of being alienated by 135 states, including China, that share a common line on Palestine.
• 142 of the 193 UN member states have recognized the Palestinian state, including Cyprus, which gained observer status at the UN in 2012 with 138 states voting in favour.
• The UN general assembly elections will peak on September 21, coinciding with an international conference on the Palestinian question, convened by the UN and chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
• France has announced it will recognize the state of Palestine, along with other unnamed states.
• Cyprus has previously run for the presidency twice, with the last campaign costing Pound 15,000.
• A diplomatic source advises Cyprus to proceed with dignity, without showing that it was trying to take the post away from Mansour.

Statistics:

• 142 of the 193 UN member states have recognized the Palestinian state.
• 138 states voted in favour of granting observer status to Palestine in 2012, while 9 states voted against, including Israel and the US.
• 41 states abstained from the 2012 vote.
• 135 states may alienate Cyprus if it goes ahead with its candidacy.
• The estimated cost of running Cyprus' campaign in New York is between Pound 10,000 and Pound 15,000 a month.

Sources:

• Politis newspaper - no date mentioned
• UN General Assembly - no date mentioned
• Palestine's permanent observer at the UN, Riyad Mansour - no date mentioned
• International Conference on the Palestinian Question - no date mentioned