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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-06-12
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Thursday, 12 June 2003 Security Council adopts resolution renewing
UNFICYP mandate
[02] Foreign Minister holds high-level contacts in Washington DC
[03] Ankara has 'historic responsibility' to press Denktash for a
settlement, says British Minister for Europe
[01] Security Council adopts resolution renewing UNFICYP mandate
The UN Security Council, acting on the recommendation of the Secretary-
General Mr Kofi Annan, adopted unanimously yesterday resolution 1486 (2003),
renewing the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until
15 December 2003. In its resolution, the Council expresses concern "at the
recent, further violations by the Turkish Cypriot side and the Turkish
forces at the southeastern village of Strovilia and urges them to restore
the military status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000".
It further "notes the limited steps taken by the Turkish Cypriot side to
ease some of the restrictions imposed on 30 June 2000 on the operation of
UNFICYP but urges the Turkish Cypriot side and the Turkish forces to
rescind all remaining restrictions on UNFICYP". The Council also endorses a
recommendation by the Secretary-General to increase the mission's civilian
police component "by no more than 34 officers in order to meet the
increased workload resulting from the welcome partial easing of restrictions
on island-wide freedom of movement, which has been met by goodwill from
Greek and Turkish Cypriots". The full text of the resolution reads as
follows: ''The Security Council,
Welcoming the report of the Secretary General of 27 May 2003 (S/2003/572)
on the United Nations operation in Cyprus, and in particular the call to
the parties to assess and address the humanitarian issue of missing persons
with due urgency and seriousness, Noting that the Government of Cyprus has
agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island it is
necessary to keep the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)
beyond 15 June 2003, Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United
Nations to sensitise peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control
of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping
operations, 1. Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, and in
particular resolution 1251 (1999) of 29 June 1999 and subsequent resolutions;
2. Decides to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period ending 15
December 2003; 3. Endorses the increase of the UNFICYP civilian police
component by no more than 34 officers in order to meet the increased
workload resulting from the welcome partial easing of restrictions on
island-wide freedom of movement, which has been met by goodwill from Greek
and Turkish Cypriots; 4. Notes the limited steps taken by the Turkish
Cypriot side to ease some of the restrictions imposed on 30 June 2000 on
the operation of UNFICYP, but urges the Turkish Cypriot side and the
Turkish forces to rescind all remaining restrictions on UNFICYP;
5. Expresses concern at the recent, further violations by the Turkish
Cypriot side and Turkish forces at Strovilia and urges them to restore the
military status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000; 6. Requests
the Secretary General to submit a report by 1 December 2003 on the
implementation of this resolution; 7. Decides to remain seized of the
matter''. Following the adoption of resolution 1486, the President of the
UN Security Council, Russia's Permanent Representative Mr Sergey Lavrov,
was asked by the press whether there was any change in the positions of the
two Cyprus' sides, taking into consideration the Secretary-General's
statement that his plan was still on the table.
Mr Lavrov noted that he could not speak on behalf of the two sides but
pointed out that during the consultations, the Security Council members
"expressed their support for this view of the Secretary-General that his
plan is still not only on the table but is the best solution to the Cyprus
problem."
[02] Foreign Minister holds high-level contacts in Washington DC
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geogios Iacovou, met yesterday in
Washington DC with the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, the Vice
President, Mr Dick Cheney, and President Bush's National Security Adviser,
Ms Condoleezza Rice. Mr Iacovou informed his interlocutors on the positions
of the Cyprus Government, underlining the need to resume efforts for a
comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
He further referred to the Turkish side's negative stance, pointing out
that the US government should focus its efforts on persuading the Turkish
side, and Ankara in particular, to return to the negotiating table. "The
Greek Cypriot side is prepared to return to the negotiations whenever the
Secretary-General thinks proper to call us to do so", Mr Iacovou said,
speaking to the press after his meeting with Ms Condoleezza Rice. "We
expressed our concern that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots are sowing a
negative attitude towards the Annan plan and general his mission of good
offices, we ask for the United States support in getting them back to the
talks", he further said, adding that Ms Rice had assured him of the Bush
administration's intent to discuss the issue with Ankara and the Turkish
Cypriot leadership. The Cyprus Minister also met with the President of the
Congressional Committee for Foreign Affairs, Mr Richard Lugar (R-Indiana),
and the Member of Congress responsible for issues concerning Cyprus, Ms
Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). They both emphasised the importance of Cyprus' EU
accession and its impact on the efforts for a solution.
In addition, Mr Iacovou gave a TV and radio interview to the Voice of
America, for its English, Greek and Turkish programmes.
[03] Ankara has 'historic responsibility' to press Denktash for a
settlement, says British Minister for Europe
"The Turkish Government, Parliament and military have an historic
responsibility to press Mr Denktash to reach an agreement within the Annan
proposals and then allow a united Cyprus to enter the European Union", the
British Minister for Europe, Mr Denis MacShane, has noted. Replying to
questions on Cyprus at the House of Commons last Tuesday, Mr MacShane said
that his government had repeatedly urged the parties involved to resume
negotiations on the basis of the Annan plan, "which is on the table and
represents the best way forward". He also said that the British government
continued to urge Ankara to play a more positive role in the peace efforts
so that a united island could join the EU in May 2004. In other statements,
Mr MacShane welcomed the partial easing of restrictions on free movement
across the ceasefire line, as well as the European Commission's aid package
for Turkish Cypriots, and hoped that they would lead to a comprehensive
settlement based on the UN plan which remained vital. Asked by an MP to
comment on the Cyprus Government's measures for Turkish Cypriots, the
British Minister said they were "a move in the right direction".
"The main stumbling block remains the position of Mr Denktash, which must
be dealt with through direct communication with him. We believe that, again,
the Turkish Government, Parliament and military have a key role to play",
Mr MacShane added.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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