PITCH FOR UNIFIED CYPRUS GAINS LEADERS' ATTENTION
By Bob Hepburn

October 22, 1993 – (Toronto Star) Tens of thousands of Greek Cypriot women lined an 80-kilometre (50-mile) stretch of highway yesterday in a riveting call for a unified Cyprus.

As the Queen and 37 Commonwealth leaders rode in police-escorted limousines from here to Nicosia, the women waved placards denouncing Turkey's 19-year occupation of the northern third of Cyprus.

"Give Us Back Our Land," read a sign held high by a uniformed schoolgirl skipping classes.

"All Settlers Out Of Cyprus," read another, referring to Turkish citizens who have moved to the northern part of the island.

The massive roadside demonstration is part of a highly orchestrated drive by the Cypriot government to persuade leaders at the British Commonwealth summit, which opened in Nicosia yesterday, to take steps to reunite the tiny island.

Cypriot leaders are making the moves despite the fact the Cyprus issue is not even on the agenda of the Commonwealth meeting. All working sessions of the conference are being held in Limassol.

Many Commonwealth leaders fear Cyprus is trying to "hijack" the conference and turn it into an international forum lashing out at the Turkish government for refusing to move its soldiers and Turkish settlers from the island.

Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974. Turkish troops have propped up the Turkish Cypriot regime on the island despite several U.N. resolutions demanding their removal.

Several Commonwealth leaders appeared visibly moved by the women's protest.

"Having travelled the whole way from Limassol to Nicosia and seen that long, endless chain of women mourning and sorrowing, I cannot fail to be moved by the tragedy that faces Cyprus," said Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe in an address at the conference's opening ceremony.

To thunderous applause of Greek Cypriots invited to the ceremony, Mugabe suggested the Commonwealth consider economic sanctions on Turkey.

But British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd later said the United Nations was the organization responsible for bringing about peace in Cyprus.

"I don't think putting it (Cyprus) at the top of the agenda is going to bring a settlement any closer," Hurd said. "Instead of complicating it, we have to try and back up the U.N. in its efforts to solve it."

A Canadian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was little support for Mugabe's suggestion.