Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-12-24

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CNA Director to attend Clinton's inauguration ceremony

[02] UNFICYP's mandate extended

1200:CYPPRESS:01

[01] CNA Director to attend Clinton's inauguration ceremony

Christofides will attend the Presidential Inauguration Ball, honouring the US President and Mrs Clinton, the US Vice-President and Mrs Gore.

During his stay in Washington, the CNA Director will have a series of meetings with newly-appointed US Administration officials and other public figures.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1235:CYPPRESS:02

[02] UNFICYP's mandate extended

The resolution (1092/1996) adopted Monday unanimously calls for steps to facilitate a new diplomatic drive to reunite the island.

It expresses grave concern over the deteriorating situation in Cyprus by the escalated intercommunal tensions and calls upon the Secretary- General to continue to promote efforts for an overall comprehensive settlement.

In its resolution the Security Council expresses concern over the ''fact that intercommunal tensions on the island have escalated and, over the last six-month period, violence along the cease-fire lines has reached a level not seen since 1974,'' as stated in the report of the Secretary- General of December 10, 1996.

The resolution reiterates ''grave concern about the excessive levels of military forces and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus and the rate at which they are being expanded, upgraded and modernised, including by the introduction of sophisticated weaponry.''

This along with the lack of progress in reducing the number of foreign troops in Cyprus, it adds, ''threaten to raise tensions both on the island and in the region and complicate efforts to negotiate an overall political settlement.''

The Security Council reiterates its concern that negotiations on a final political solution have been at an impasse for too long.

The resolution urges both sides ''to accept as a package, without delay or preconditions, the reciprocal measures proposed by UNFICYP,'' to reduce tension along the 180-long cease-fire line.

It calls upon the military authorities on both sides to clear all minefields and booby-trapped areas in the UN-controlled buffer zone, to cease military construction in its immediate vicinity and refrain from any military exercises along the buffer zone.

The resolution deplores the summer ''violent incidents'' in the UN- controlled buffer zone, reminding both sides ''of their obligation to prevent violence directed against UNFICYP personnel.''

In this context, it ''emphasises the need to maintain law and order'' and demands that ''both parties prevent unauthorised incursions into the buffer zone, and respond immediately and responsibly to any demonstrations which violate the buffer zone and any demonstrations near the buffer zone that might lead to an increase in tensions.''

The resolution expresses concern about military exercises in the region, including overflights in the airspace of Cyprus, noting these have increased political tension and undermined efforts towards achieving a political settlement.

To restore confidence between the two parties, it urges ''all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction in defense spending and a reduction in the number of foreign troops'' in Cyprus.

It notes that this will be ''a step towards the withdrawal of non- Cypriot forces, as described in the Set of Ideas'' and stresses the importance of the island's ''eventual demilitarisation as an objective for an overall comprehensive settlement.''

The resolution repeats the status quo is ''unacceptable'' and stresses its support for the Secretary-General's mission of good offices.

It welcomes the efforts of the Representative of the Secretary-General and of those working in support ''to prepare the ground for open ended direct negotiations in the first half of 1997 between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities in order to secure overall settlement.''

In addition it urges both sides to cooperate with the Special Representative to that end and calls upon the leaders of both communities to create a climate of reconciliation and confidence.

The Security Council reaffirms its position that a Cyprus settlement ''must be based on a State of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded, and comprising two politically equal communities'' as described in UN resolutions providing for a bicommunal and bizonal federation, excluding any form of partition or secession.

It welcomes the efforts by UNFICYP to implement its humanitarian mandate in respect of Greek Cypriots and Maronites enclaved in the Turkish- occupied part and Turkish Cypriots living in the government-controlled free areas, as well as the promotion of bicommunal events.

To this respect, it ''strongly urges all concerned and especially the Turkish Cypriot community leadership to lift all obstacles to such contacts.''

The UN resolution reaffirms that ''the decision of the European Union concerning the opening of accession negotiations with Cyprus is an important new development that should facilitate an overall settlement.''

In conclusion, it requests the Secretary-General to submit a report by 10 June 1997 on the implementation of this resolution.

UNFICYP was established in 1964 when clashes between the two communities broke out and it is the longest UN peacekeeping operation in the world.

Some 1.200 peacekeepers man the 180-long buffer zone across this East Mediterranean island republic.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions and initiatives by a number of countries aimed to reach a Cyprus settlement.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article