IN THE league of ''busted arse countries'' it is not, but Alexander Downer is again in hot water for using undiplomatic language.

In his latest slip, Mr Downer, the United Nations special envoy for peace talks in Cyprus, referred to ''Greek Cypriots'', which is a phrase taken to imply the island will remain divided from rival Turkish Cypriots.

Angry Cyprus MPs passed a resolution this week condemning the ''one-sided and detrimental statements and actions'' of the former foreign affairs minister, which they say have eroded his credibility as an impartial facilitator.

Cyprus is Europe's last divided country. The island split along ethnic lines after a 1974 war. Turkey is the only country to recognise the breakaway state, while the internationally recognised government controls the larger southern region, where Greek Cypriots are the majority.

Mr Downer said last month that a peace accord needed to be reached before ''Greek Cypriots'' - rather than merely ''Cyprus'' - took the European Union's rotating presidency in July.

As foreign affairs minister, Mr Downer famously derided ''busted arse countries'' in South America after a 2001 visit.

with Associated Press