SOMETIMES, in its exquisitely balanced approach to the nastier side of

human nature, the United Nations is a pain in the neck. Just

occasionally there is a need for a sterner approach, a firm telling-off

or even a smack on the wrist. Cyprus is an excellent example, indeed

there is none better. Twenty years ago a brief coup in Nicosia triggered

a Turkish invasion of the island on behalf of Turkish Cypriots. The

fighting which followed was relatively brief though much human misery

was involved. The overwhelming force of Turkish arms forced Greek

Cypriots to flee from several areas and the resulting cease-fire line

enshrines various absurdities and deserted communities. The Turkish

Cypriot ''state'' in the north is recognised only by the Turks and has

been kept apart from the Greek Cypriot state in the south by a UN force.

The UN has laboured long and hard at persuading both parties to move

towards reunification under a federal state. The chosen path has been to

propose a series of confidence-building measures, the most recent of

which involves the reopening of Nicosia airport and of a deserted nearby

resort under UN control. The theory is that this would allow meaningful

contact between the two communities and a reduction in the estrangement

between them. By any measure the latest proposals are the most flexible,

intelligent, and forward-looking to be presented for many years. Further

impetus to accept them should have come from clear signals that nations

participating in the UN force in Cyprus are thoroughly sick of the whole

business and are keen to retrieve their troops. Yet though the Greek

Cypriots have accepted the UN proposals the Turkish Cypriots appear to

have rejected them.

Congratulations, then, to UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali

for losing his temper, if a little late in the day. Boutros-Ghali has

blamed the Turkish Cypriots for lacking the political will to move the

process forward and has warned them that the consequences for the

Turkish Cypriot community could be grave. Given the outrageous flouting

of UN resolutions in recent years there must be doubt about the effects

of his warning, but there may well be benefits from a denunciation of

those responsible for this ridiculous state of affairs. The

secretary-general's statement has flustered the Turkish Cypriots and

rattled a Turkish government which has plenty of problems of its own.

Time will tell whether real benefits will now flow, but the value of

plain speaking has been enhanced.