|
|
|
Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-06-04
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
Tuesday, 4 June 2002
CONTENTS
- [01] Annan recommends 6-month extension of UN peacekeeping force in
Cyprus
- [02] Cyprus protests against massive violations of Nicosia FIR
[01] Annan recommends 6-month extension of UN peacekeeping force in
Cyprus
According to a new report by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the United
Nations peacekeeping force should remain on the island of Cyprus for a
further six months. In recommending that the UN Peacekeeping Force in
Cyprus (UNFICYP) be extended through 15 December, the Secretary-General
points out that the mission's operations "continued to be impeded by the
restrictions imposed on it by the Turkish Cypriot authorities and the
Turkish forces. Similarly, no progress was achieved in restoring the status
quo ante in Strovilla." On the civilian side, the Secretary-General says he
was "encouraged that there were increased contacts between the Greek
Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities." According to the report, UNFICYP
facilitated 39 events, involving an estimated 6,600 people, in the buffer
zone between the two communities. The Force comprised 1,195 troops and 35
civilian police as of May. The Security Council is expected to meet on
UNFICYP before its current mandate expires on 15 June 2002. The amount
appropriated for the maintenance of UNFICYP for the period from 1 July 2001
to 30 June 2002 is $ 42.4 million. This amount includes the voluntary
contribution of one third of the cost of the Force, equivalent to $ 13.6
million, from the Government of Cyprus and the voluntary contribution of $
6.5 million from the Government of Greece.
[02] Cyprus protests against massive violations of Nicosia FIR
The Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations, Ambassador
Sotos Zackheos, sent a letter of complaint to the UN Secretary General
protesting against the continuous massive violations of the flight
information region (FIR) of Nicosia and the national airspace of the
Republic of Cyprus by military aircraft of the Turkish Air Force, recorded
on 6,7,13,17,18,21,22,26 and 27 March 2002, and on 2,3,4,5,15,18,19 and 30
April 2002.
In his letter, Ambassador Zackheos, stated that the Government of the
Republic of Cyprus strongly protested these actions, which violated
international law as well as Security Council resolutions on Cyprus and
called for their cessation. "I would like to note that those violations are
not conducive to the maintenance of the required positive climate,
especially during the present important phase of direct talks being held in
Cyprus between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Clerides, and
the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Denktash, at your invitation in the exercise
of your mission of good offices, which enjoys the full support of the
Security Council. It is hoped that the Government of Turkey will show
restraint, cease the violation of the airspace of Cyprus and, heeding the
call by the Security Council, will contribute to the efforts to find a just
viable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the United Nations
resolutions", the Ambassador noted.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
|
