Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-06-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN Security Council supports Cyprus' single sovereignty

[02] UN Security Council renews UNFICYP's mandate

[03] Ann Hercus to assume UN post

1235:CYPPRESS:01

[01] UN Security Council supports Cyprus' single sovereignty

In resolution 1179 (1998), passed unanimously last night, the Security Council reaffirms all its earlier resolutions and 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".

The independence and territorial integrity of the state of Cyprus, comprising two politically equal communities "in a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation", must be safeguarded, the Security Council notes.

Such a settlement "must exclude union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession", it continues.

The Security Council calls "once more upon all states to respect the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and requests them, along with the parties concerned, to refrain from any action which might prejudice" that sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

It also calls upon them to refrain from "any attempt of partition of the island or its unification with any other country.

The Security Council reiterates its growing concern that "negotiations on a comprehensive political solution have yet to make progress, despite the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Advisor and others in support of the UN efforts to promote a comprehensive settlement".

"The status quo is unacceptable" and negotiations on a political solution have been at an impasse for too long, the UN Security Council notes.

It stresses its full support for the Secretary-General's mission of good offices and for the efforts of his Special Advisor "to resume a sustained process of direct negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions".

It also stresses "the importance of concerted efforts to work with the Secretary-General to that end".

The Security Council welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to continue to explore possibilities that may lead "to a new momentum in this process of negotiations".

It calls once again upon "the leaders of the two communities, in particular the Turkish Cypriot side, to commit themselves to this process of negotiations and to cooperate actively and constructively with the Secretary-General and his Special Advisor".

It also calls upon them "to resume the direct dialogue without further delay", and urges all states "to lend their full support to these efforts".

In its 1179 resolution, the UN Security Council calls upon all parties concerned "to create a climate for reconciliation and genuine mutual confidence on both sides, and to avoid any actions which might increase tension, including through further expansion of military forces and armaments".

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

CNA GG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:02

[02] UN Security Council renews UNFICYP's mandate

With its resolution 1178 adopted unanimously last night, the Security Council calls on the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides to reduce tension along the ceasefire lines, and to resume talks on security issues.

The resolution notes that the "government of Cyprus has agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island, it is necessary to keep UNFICYP beyond 30 June."

The Security Council reiterates "its grave concern at the continuing excessive and increasing levels of military forces and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus".

It refers about the rate at which they are expanded, upgraded and modernised, including the introduction of sophisticated weaponry, and the lack of progress towards any significant reduction in the number of foreign troops "which threaten to raise tensions both on the island and in the region and complicate efforts to negotiate an overall political settlement."

It calls upon all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending and a reduction in the number of foreign troops "to help restore confidence between the parties.

As a first step, it proposes "the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces as described in the set of ideas" and stresses the "importance of eventual demilitarisation... as an objective in the context of an overall comprehensive settlement".

At this point, it calls upon the leaders of the two communities on the island to "resume the discussions on security issues, which began on 26 September, 1997".

Reaffirming all its earlier resolutions on Cyprus, the Security Council "notes with concern that tensions along the ceasefire lines and restrictions to UNFICYP's freedom of movement continue".

Referring to tension along the ceasefire lines, the Security Council calls upon "the military authorities on both sides to refrain from any action, particularly in the vicinity of the buffer zone, which would exacerbate tensions".

It "underlines the importance of early agreement to the reciprocal measures for the reduction of tension along the ceasefire lines proposed and subsequently adapted by UNFICYP".

Acknowledging that only one side has so far accepted this package, it calls for early agreement rapid implementation of reciprocal measures. To this purpose, it encourages UNFICYP to continue its efforts towards that end.

The resolution "welcomes the ongoing efforts by "UNFICYP to implement its humanitarian mandate in respect of Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the northern part of the island and Turkish Cypriots living in the southern part".

It welcomes the "appointment of the new third member of the Committee on Missing Persons and calls for implementation without delay of the agreement on missing persons of 31 July, 1997."

A total of 1,619 people are listed as missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the island's northern third.

The resolution reiterates its support for the efforts of the UN and others concerned to promote the holding of bicommunal events so as to build cooperation, trust and mutual respect between the two communities".

It "regrets the suspension of such activity by the Turkish Cypriot leadership and urges both sides and in particular the Turkish Cypriot side, to facilitate arrangements within which bicommunal contacts can take place uninterrupted and without formalities".

Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, has imposed a levy on all people crossing into the Turkish-occupied areas, in a retaliatory move following the start of Cyprus' negotiations for accession to the European Union.

Finally, the Security Council reminds both sides of their obligations to prevent any violence directed against UNFICYP personnel to cooperate fully with UNFICYP and to ensure its complete freedom of movement.

The Security Council notes that it has decided to "remain actively seized of the matter".

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1340:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Ann Hercus to assume UN post

According to an UNFICYP press release, Dame Ann will arrive in Cyprus on July 3 from New Zealand, her home country, and will give a press conference at the Ledra Palace Hotel, situated in the UN-controlled in the buffer zone, in Nicosia, on July 6, at 1030 local time (0730 GMT).

The only meeting she will have prior to assuming office will be with UN chief's special advisor on the Cyprus problem Diego Cordovez, on July 4.

Cordovez arrives in Cyprus on Thursday, July 2, for meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The aim of the Cordovez-Hercus meeting is to "continue the exchange of views they began when they met in New York in early June", the UNFICYP press release added.

Dame Ann is replacing Gustave Feissel, who has been in Cyprus for 15 years. He relinquishes his post today.

The new chief of mission was New Zealand's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN from 1988-1990. Before that, she was a member of Parliament from 1978-1987 and Minister of Social, Welfare, Police and Women's Affairs from 1984 to 1987.

At present, she is an international consultant and advisor, to, inter alia, the UN and the Commonwealth.

In New Zealand, she was engaged in strategic planning, chairing policy reviews, facilitation and community consultation projects.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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