Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-06-30

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN Security Council - Cyprus - Resolutions

[02] Portuguese, Spanish Ministers - Cyprus

0010:CYPPRESS:01

[01] UN Security Council - Cyprus - Resolutions

New York, Jun 30 (CNA) -- The UN Security Council tonight called for unconditional talks for a settlement in Cyprus with all issues on the table, endorsing a statement by the Group of the seven most industrialised countries plus Russia (G8).

The Security Council reiterated that a settlement on the island must provide for the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as stipulated in its resolutions.

The Council adopted two resolutions, one on Secretary-General Kofi Annan's good offices mission (1250/1999) and another on the extension for a further six-month period of the mandate of the UN Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus (1251/1999).

The Security Council reaffirms its previous resolutions and particularly resolution 1218 (1998), with which the Council requested the UN chief to work intensively with the two sides on "a staged process aimed at limiting and then substantially reducing the level of troops and armaments on Cyprus" as well as other measures for the reduction of tensions.

Resolution 1251 expresses concern with the lack of progress for an overall settlement in Cyprus and makes special references to the need to reduce tensions on the island.

The ten-paragraph resolution on the UN chief's good offices mission, calls on the two leaders in Cyprus to give full support to a comprehensive negotiation, under Annan's auspices, committing themselves to four principles, namely:

"No preconditions, all issues on the table, commitment in good faith to continue to negotiate until a settlement is reached and full consideration of relevant UN resolutions and treaties."

These principles were adopted recently by the G8 leaders in a statement on Cyprus at the end of their meeting in Cologne, to which the Security Council expresses appreciation.

The Security Council requests the UN chief, in accordance with its previous relevant resolutions, "to invite the leaders of the two sides to negotiations in the autumn of 1999."

In the resolution on the Secretary-General's good offices mission the Security Council reiterates its endorsement of Annan's initiative announced in the summer of last year for the reduction of tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus.

It also urges both sides in Cyprus to participate constructively in on- island meetings held with the UN chief's resident representative Dame Ann Hercus.

The Security Council expresses the view that "both sides have legitimate concerns that should be addressed through comprehensive negotiations covering all relevant issues."

It also "requests the two sides on Cyprus, including military authorities on both sides, to work constructively with the Secretary- General and his special representative to create a positive climate on the island that will pave the way for negotiations in the autumn of 1999."

In the 15-paragraph resolution on UNFICYP, the Security Council reaffirms its position that:

"A Cyprus settlement must be based on a state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty, international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded and comprising two political equal communities as described in the relevant Security Council resolutions, in a bicommunal and bizonal federation, and that such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession."

It calls on all states "to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus", requesting them and the parties concerned to refrain from any attempt at partition of the island or its unification with any other country.

The Security Council calls upon both sides to take measures that will build trust and cooperation and reduce tensions between the two sides, including demining along the buffer zone.

It "urges the Greek Cypriot side to agree to the implementation of the UNFICYP package of measures" aimed at reducing tensions.

Resolution 1251 reiterates the Council's grave concern at the continuing excessive levels of military forces and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus and at the lack of progress towards any significant reduction in the number of foreign troops in the Republic of Cyprus.

It calls upon all concerned to reduce the level of all troops and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus as a first step towards the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces.

The Security Council stresses the importance of eventual demilitarisation of the Republic of Cyprus as an objective in the context of an overall comprehensive settlement.

The Council notes 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 30 June 1999."

It decides to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period ending 15 December 1999.

It also reiterates its support to the promotion of bicommunal events held in order to build cooperation, trust and mutual respect and "calls upon the Turkish-Cypriot leadership to resume such activities".

Since December 1997, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has not allowed Turkish Cypriots to participate in most bicommunal events, even the ones organised by UNFICYP, in reaction to a European Union reconfirmation that it would open accession talks with the Cyprus Republic.

Denktash and Ankara have rejected the G8 statement reiterating their preconditions for talks aimed at establishing "a confederation of two states".

The Turkish demand, which has stalled the peace process, was rejected by the UN, the Cyprus government and all key players in the effort to reunite Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded the island in 1974.

CNA MG/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Portuguese, Spanish Ministers - Cyprus

Seixas da Costa, who will pay a five-day visit, will be received by President Glafcos Clerides on Friday morning.

During his stay, he will hold talks with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, and have meetings with Costas Themistocleous, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Nicos Rolandis, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism and Alecos Markides, Attorney General.

Ramon de Miguel, who will pay a three-day, will also call on President Clerides on Friday morning.

On Thursday afternoon, he will hold official talks with the Minister Kasoulides.

He will also have meetings with Nicos Koshis, Minister of Justice and Public Order, Nicos Koshis, Minister Rolandis and the Attorney General.

CNA AA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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