EMBASSY OF CYPRUS NEWSLETTER, WASHINGTON DCNovember 6, 1995 Embassy of Cyprus TURKEY THREATENS INTEGRITY OF
U.N. Turkey's Buildup Undermines Regional Peace "If a just and lasting solution is to be arrived at without future delay, it is high time for the resolutions of the United Nations on Cyprus to be implemented," Clerides told the General Assembly. He added that far from withdrawing their occupation troops as called for in the U.N. resolutions, Turkey's troops "are increasing their numbers and modernizing their military equipment, posing thus, not only a serious threat to the security of our region, but also a challenge to the authority of the United Nations." Demilitarization in Accord with U.N. Charter Reminding
the members that in a recent report on Cyprus the U.N.
Secretary-General himself had called the occupied areas
one of the most highly militarized areas in the world,
Clerides again outlined his proposal for the complete
demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus, an objective
in accordance with the U.N. Charter, since "disarmament
and arms control are an integral part of international
peace and security." Turkish Compliance with UN Resolutions Needed In its
final communique, the NAM summit did in fact strongly
condemn the status quo on Cyprus resulting from Turkey's
illegal occupation and also called on the U.N. Security
Council to take additional measures to ensure Turkey's
compliance with the U.N. resolutions. The non-aligned
nations expressed "their concern at the continuing lack
of political will on the part of the Turkish side," as
the U.N. Secretary-General reported to the Council last
year, and reaffirmed their support for a settlement based
on a "federation, with a single sovereignty, citizenship
and international personality." In recent months the
Turkish side has failed to affirm its support for such a
solution. Progress Dependent on Turkey FOREIGN MINISTER IN WASHINGTON After Bosnia, the Clinton Administration will "make
Cyprus our next priority," U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State Richard Holbrooke said after meeting with Cyprus
Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides on October 26. The
United States has continually emphasized the importance
of a united Cyprus, Holbrooke continued, and has "made it
very clear that we want a single island with two
communities, without that ugly wall down its middle." The
Cyprus government is ready to "make good use of U.S.
interest, in the hope that the Turkish side will do the
same," Michaelides said after his meeting with Holbrooke,
emphasizing that "pivotal aspects of the Cyprus question
must be tackled as a whole." In meetings with U.S.
Administration officials and Congressional leaders in
Washington from October 25-26, Michaelides emphasized the
need to resume negotiations on an overall Cyprus
settlement--once a common basis for talks has been
established. These talks will only achieve progress, he
continued, if the Turkish side displays the necessary
political will. Underlining that Turkey's expansionist
designs in the region are a threat to regional peace, he
turned to the proposal for the demilitarization of
Cyprus, offered by Cyprus President Clerides two years
ago. Michaelides particularly stressed the need to
develop a timetable for its implementation. Given the
international support which has been expressed for the
proposal, he emphasized that the government's objective
now is "not to secure a mere reference to
demilitarization but to get an agreed conclusion for a
complete demilitarization. This view is gaining ground."
He added that demilitarization could be the key that will
promote a resolution of all outstanding issues. Congressional Leaders Criticize Turkish Intransigence
During briefings for the Senate Foreign Relations and
House International Affairs Committees, the Cyprus
foreign minister emphasized the appreciation of the
Cypriot people for America's continued support for
efforts to end the division of Cyprus. He also thanked
Congress for maintaining U.S. economic aid to Cyprus at
$15 million and for the adoption by the House in
September of a resolution endorsing demilitarization and
calling for a solution based on the U.N. resolutions. The
Senate Foreign Relations Committee has also approved a
similar resolution. As they have in recent months,
members of Congress stressed their continuing support for
a constructive U.S. role in achieving an overall
settlement as well as their deep frustration with
Turkey's constant undermining of the U.N. effort.
Expressing the hope that a settlement can be reached in
the near future, House International Affairs Committee
Chairman Ben Gilman (R-NY) criticized the fact that until
now Turkey-- despite repeated promises--has not taken the
measures needed to achieve progress. After the briefing
by the Cyprus foreign minister, Senator Richard Lugar
(R-IN), also reaffirmed that the United States is
"constantly eager to be a good help to try to bring about
demilitarization" on Cyprus. British Foreign Secretary: Common Ground on Key Issues Needed During a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Malcom Rifkind on November 1, Michaelides reemphasized the point he made to U.S. officials during the Washington visit, namely that an overall approach to the Cyprus problem is needed. The British foreign secretary reaffirmed his government's desire to support U.N. efforts to promote a Cyprus settlement, and the two ministers agreed that it was "completely useless" to continue talks "without ensuring a common basis on the crucial issues that compose the Cyprus problem," Michaelides said after the meeting. In addition to his meetings in Washington and London, the Cyprus foreign minister extensively conferred with officials of the European Union member-states and non-aligned countries while participating in the U.N. General Assembly and Non-Aligned Movement summit. Cyprus Condemns Rabin Assassination prus' "profound indignation at this hideous crime, which was targeting the peace process itself that Yitzhak Rabin has been pursuing with genuine devotion and admirable determination." The acting President of the Republic, House of Representatives President Alexis Galanos, headed Cyprus' delegation to the funeral, in the absence of President Clerides, who was on his way to New Zealand to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. In Washington Cyprus Ambassador Andrew Jacovides signed the book of condolences at the Israeli Embassy. In Brief . . . The "establishment of a new Middle East is a common task we can all undertake," Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides told the Middle East North Africa Economic Summit in Amman, Jordan on October 29. In Amman, Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides outlined Cyprus' proposal for a Palestinian Industrial and Investment Bank, with the participation of banks from Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Israel and Egypt. The proposal, as well as the recent implementation of a $2.5 million Cyprus aid package to help rebuild and develop the Palestinian autonomous areas, are in concert with the Cyprus government goal of supporting the peace process by providing economic assistance. Israeli Foreign Minister (and now acting Prime Minister) Shimon Peres expressed support for these efforts on October 31, when he also reiterated Israel's support for "everything that can bring peace" to Cyprus. During the summit President Clerides conferred with world leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher and Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev. Strong protests have been lodged against provocative Turkish military overflights which violated Cyprus airspace on October 25. The head of the U.N. peace-keeping forces in Cyprus protested the violations to commanders of the Turkish occupation forces and the Cyprus government also protested directly to the U.N. in New York. British High Commissioner David Madden told Tur- kish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that such actions were "undesirable and unwelcome." Recently the Cyprus government also protested to the U.N. Turkish construction in an area of occupied Nicosia covered by a U.N. agreement prohibiting such construction. In Nicosia on November 3 a team from the International Monetary Fund concluded its annual review and called the Cyprus economy "enviable". The IMF team specifically pointed to the eco- nomy's reduced deficits and strong foreign exchange balance. The government recently announced a five-year development plan, under which $2 billion will be spent to improve economic competitiveness and to harmonize the economy with those of the E.U. In a statement on October 13 Cyprus' representative to the Sixth Committee of the U.N. General Assembly, Ambassador Andrew Jacovides, analyzed the report of the International Law Commission regarding a draft Code of Crimes Against the Peace and Security of Mankind, a topic of particular importance to Cyprus. He outlined several practices and actions which must be included in the final Code, including prohibitions against institutionalized racial or ethnic discrimination, forced population transfers, illegal colonization, and forced disappearances. With the completion of this code, Jacovides said, the international community will be provided with a legal instrument which brings it closer to international legal order.
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