EMBASSY OF CYPRUS, WASHINGTON DC
"DETERIORATING SITUATION" OF CONCERN TO U.N.
Security Council Stresses Importance of Demilitarization
Reiterating its concern that the situation on Cyprus threatens
regional peace, the U.N. Security Council has called for an
intensification of international efforts seeking a resumption of
direct Cyprus talks in early 1997.
In adopting resolution 1092 on December 23, renewing the mandate
of the U.N. Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the Security
Council said it was deeply "concerned by the deteriorating
situation in Cyprus and by the fact that intercommunal tensions
on the island have escalated and . . . violence along the cease-fire
lines has reached a level not seen since 1974."
The Security Council also expressed concern over the military
situation in Cyprus, including the "lack of progress towards a
significant reduction" of Turkish occupation troops, whose
presence compels the Cyprus government to bolster its defenses to
deter further Turkish aggression.
Tensions Complicate Efforts to Reach Comprehensive Settlement
This situation, the Council stressed, threatens "to raise
tensions both on the island and in the region and complicate
efforts to negotiate an overall political settlement." The
resolution also "stressed the importance of eventual
demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus as an objective in the
context of an overall comprehensive settlement," and called on
the Secretary-General "to continue to promote efforts in this
direction."
The Security Council's concerns echo those of the Cyprus
government, which has repeatedly warned that the continuing
division of Cyprus resulting from Turkey's occupation undermines
regional peace. Precisely because of the inherent instability of
this situation and to address the security concerns of both
communities, in 1993 Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides first
proposed the demilitarization of Cyprus.
"It is unacceptable for Turkey to refuse to discuss our proposal
for the demilitarization of Cyprus" while demanding that Cyprus
not strengthen its defenses, Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos
Michaelides said on December 10, adding that "the Republic of
Cyprus cannot remain defenseless when the massive Turkish
military machine continues to remain" in occupied Cyprus.
Turkey has maintained its occupation troops on Cyprus since 1974,
in violation of numerous U.N. resolutions calling for their
withdrawal, and "if Turkey implements the resolutions, then the
Greek Cypriot side will not continue spending money on
armaments," President Clerides said on December 23.
Attacks on Unarmed Greek Cypriot Civilians Condemned
A consequence of Turkey's high level of troops and armaments in
occupied Cyprus is continued violence along the cease-fire line.
Deploring the attacks there during the summer by Turkish soldiers
and extremists against unarmed Greek Cypriot civilians and U.N.
personnel, which resulted in the death of three Greek Cypriots,
the Security Council resolution condemned "in particular the
unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by the
Turkish/Turkish Cypriot side."
In addition to urging adoption of measures to reduce tensions
along the cease-fire line, the Council stressed that the E.U.
decision to begin negotiations on Cyprus' accession "is an
important new development that should facilitate an overall
settlement."
The Cyprus government supports efforts to achieve an overall
settlement based on the framework established by the U.N.
resolutions on Cyprus. As reaffirmed in its most recent
resolution, the U.N. believes a settlement "must be based on a
State of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international
personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and
territorial integrity safeguarded."
Despite the international community's support for such a
settlement, on the key issues the Turkish side maintains
positions contrary to the U.N. framework and "the Turkish side
has not given any indication of any change in its positions on
the fundamental aspects that make up the Cyprus problem,"
President Clerides said on December 31.
BRITISH, U.S. EFFORTS SEEK COMMON GROUND FOR RESUMPTION OF TALKS
Security Council resolution 1092 was adopted amid continuing
efforts by the U.N. and the permanent Security Council members to
prepare the ground for a resumption of direct talks.
To further these efforts British Foreign Secretary Malcolm
Rifkind arrived in Cyprus on December 15. There is now "an
opportunity to move towards real dialogue" leading to a solution,
Rifkind said, a solution that will not only benefit the people of
Cyprus but "make a very great contribution to the well-being of
the Mediterranean and of Europe as a whole."
At the conclusion of his meetings on December 16 with President
Clerides and other government officials, and with Turkish Cypriot
leader Rauf Denktash, Rifkind told the press that "1997 provides
a genuine opportunity," particularly given the imminent start of
talks for Cyprus' accession to the E.U. (see article on page 4).
Stressing that many differences remain in the positions of the
parties, he outlined ten points which might "offer the best basis
for making progress."
Cyprus government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said on
December 17 that there is complete agreement that the basis for
any comprehensive settlement must be the 1977 and 1979 High-Level
Agreements signed by the leaders of the two communities, as well
as the U.N. resolutions on Cyprus.
Turning to other key issues addressed by Rifkind, Cassoulides
reiterated the government's view that a federal state on Cyprus
must have a single international personality with a single
sovereignty and a single citizenship. He reaffirmed the
government's support for demilitarization and for the stationing
of an international force to ensure peace on the island. He also
said that the number of guarantor powers of a future Cyprus state
should be increased and that Turkey should not have the right of
unilateral intervention in Cyprus.
Addressing the territorial issue, Cassoulides said that under any
Cyprus settlement at least two-thirds of the Greek Cypriot
refugees must return to their homes under local Greek Cypriot
administration, and that the remaining refugees must have the
right to return to their homes and property.
The Cyprus government spokesman affirmed that regarding the E.U.,
accession should benefit all Cypriots and that if a settlement is
reached prior to accession, the negotiations will be conducted by
a federal Cyprus.
U.S. Remains Committed to Cyprus Settlement
U.S. President Bill Clinton continues to stress his commitment to
help achieve a lasting Cyprus settlement. "Notwithstanding the
tragic events of August and September, my Administration remains
committed to promoting a lasting peace on the island," Clinton
said in his December 13 report to Congress covering events in
Cyprus during August and September.
Following a meeting with European Commission President Jacques
Santer on December 16, Clinton said he will continue to help
resolve the Cyprus problem and other regional disputes since "the
future of the E.U. and the future of the U.S. will be much
brighter and much less troublesome if these things can be
resolved," adding that during the next four years he intends 'to
do whatever I can . . . to help work out the situation in
Cyprus."
"There is a very strong consensus in Europe, in the United
States, and I think also in Cyprus that this is an issue which
really does need to be solved now," U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State for European and Canadian Affairs John Kornblum said on
December 21, adding that it is now a question of the
participants including the U.S., the E.U. and the
U.N. determining when to begin a concerted push for a solution on
Cyprus.
Under-Secretary of State Peter Tarnoff on December 16 also
reaffirmed American determination to help achieve a lasting
Cyprus settlement. During a meeting with Cyprus Ambassador-designate to
Washington Andros A. Nicolaides, who presented a
copy of his credentials to Tarnoff, the two officials discussed
the expected U.S. initiative on Cyprus as well as ways to further
the excellent relations existing between the two countries.
EUROPEAN COURT FINDS TURKEY RESPONSIBLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLATIONS IN CYPRUS
In denying Greek-Cypriot refugees access to their homes in the
area of Cyprus under Turkish military occupation, Turkey is
guilty of continuing human rights violations, the European Court
of Human Rights concluded on December 18.
The decision came in the case of Tina Loizidou, a Greek-Cypriot
refugee from occupied Kyrenia, who is, like all Greek Cypriot
refugees, denied the right to return to her home. Given this
situation, the court held "that there has been a continuing
violation in relation to her immovable property situated in
Kyrenia and which since 1974 has been under the control of the
Turkish army.''
The European Court found this to be a violation of Article 1 of
Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which
stipulates that "every natural or legal person is entitled to the
peaceful enjoyment of his possessions."
Court Decision Legally Binding on Turkey
The European Court of Human Rights, in its decision, which is
final and legally binding, rejected the Turkish argument that it
was not the responsible party since the "constitution" of the so-called
"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (a entity set up by
Turkey in occupied Cyprus which the U.N. Security Council has
declared "legally invalid") had legitimated the confiscation of
the property of Loizidou and all other Greek Cypriot refugees.
"It is obvious from the large number of troops engaged in active
duties in northern Cyprus that her [Turkey's] army exercises
effective overall control over that part of the island" and thus
makes Turkey responsible for the actions in occupied Cyprus. As a
result, the court said, Turkey's "obligation to secure to the
applicant the rights and freedoms set out in the Convention
therefore extends to the northern part of Cyprus."
The decision emphasized that since the only lawful government
throughout Cyprus is that of the internationally recognized state
of the Republic of Cyprus, Loizidou remains the legal owner of
her home in occupied Cyprus.
The European Court's action will have an immense impact on
developments related to a Cyprus settlement, Cyprus President
Glafcos Clerides said, since it will affect all those Greek
Cypriots who were "forced to abandon their homes" during the 1974
Turkish invasion.
Cyprus Attorney General Alecos Markides called the decision "a
landmark in the history of law relating to human rights and the
development of international law," and added that it was now
possible for thousands of Greek Cypriot refugees to claim their
right to use their properties in the occupied areas.
Loizidou is asking the court for compensatory damages from
Turkey, as well as to allow her to freely exercise her right to
peacefully enjoy her home in Kyrenia.
E.U. CALLS ON TURKEY TO HELP PROMOTE CYPRUS SETTLEMENT
The European Council summit in Dublin has not only affirmed when
talks for Cyprus' accession will begin, but for the first time
has called on Turkey to promote efforts to achieve a settlement
based on the U.N. resolutions.
Following the conclusion of the Dublin summit on December 15,
accession negotiations are expected to begin in either late 1997
or early 1998, six months after the conclusion of the E.U.'s
Inter-Governmental Conference, which is now expected to end in
June, 1997.
Regarding the need for Turkey to assist efforts to achieve a
Cyprus settlement, the summit urged "Turkey to use its influence
to contribute to a solution in Cyprus in accordance with U.N.
Security Council resolutions."
These conclusions are "very positive, because in essence the E.U.
Council wishes to get Turkey involved in the process for a
settlement on Cyprus and, in practice, it lays some
responsibility on Turkey," Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos
Michaelides said on December 16.
In Brief . . .
The European Council summit in Dublin on December 15 confirmed
the Madrid Summit time-table for the enlargement process,
including that talks for Cyprus' accession will begin in either
late 1997 or early 1998. The European Council also for the first
time called on Turkey to promote efforts to achieve a settlement
based on the U.N. resolutions. The Council also urged "Turkey to
use its influence to contribute to a solution in Cyprus in
accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions." These
conclusions are "very positive, because in essence the E.U.
Council wishes to get Turkey involved in the process for a
settlement on Cyprus and, in practice, it lays some
responsibility on Turkey," Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos
Michaelides said on December 16.
According to "provisional census" figures published in the
Turkish Cypriot press, there are now 198,000 people living in
the occupied area of Cyprus, even though there were only 104,000
Turkish Cypriots living throughout Cyprus in 1960 a 90% increase.
Since thousands of Turkish Cypriots emigrate yearly, there may
now be more illegal settlers from Turkey than Turkish Cypriots in
the occupied areas, Cyprus government spokesman Yiannakis
Cassoulides said on December 27. Turkey's systematic effort to
alter the demographic character of the occupied areas is
"unprecedented" and a flagrant violation of international law and
U.N. resolutions. He added: "This is a very serious development
and the Cyprus government will examine what further steps to
take." The figures do not reveal the number of illegal settlers,
which are generally estimated at over 80,000. In his December 19
report to the Security Council, U.N. Secretary-General Boutros
Boutros-Ghali expressed deep concern over the situation in
Cyprus, including changes in "the demographic composition of the
island. "
In a New Year's message Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said
that he will continue to work towards a Cyprus settlement, one
that will "safeguard the future of our children in the land of
our forefathers." He reaffirmed that any settlement must secure
the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Cypriots, ensure
the withdrawal of all Turkish occupation troops and illegal
settlers, as well as create the conditions in which all the
inhabitants on the island Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots,
Maronites, Armenians and Latins live together in conditions of
peace and security.
NEW CYPRUS AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. APPOINTED
Mr. Andros A. Nicolaides has been appointed as the Ambassador of
Cyprus to the U.S. as of December 12, 1996, and will soon
formally present his credentials to U.S. President Bill Clinton.
He has also been nominated to concurrently serve as non-resident
Ambassador to Brazil, and High Commissioner to Canada, Barbados,
and the Bahamas; will serve as Permanent Observer to the OAS; and
represent Cyprus at the World Bank, International Monetary Fund,
and International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO).
A member of the foreign service since 1964, he most recently
served as Cyprus' Ambassador to Germany. Prior appointments
include Ambassador to Italy, Permanent Representative to the U.N.
in Geneva, High Commissioner to India, and acting Permanent
Secretary and Director of Policy Planning at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Nicolaides studied in universities in Great Britain as
well as the U.S., where he earned a graduate degree in political
science and comparative government.
December 31, 1996
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