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Statement by H.E. Mr. Andreas Mavroyiannis
Ambassador, Permanent Representative
of the Republic of Cyprus
to the United Nations
to the Forth Committee
on agenda item 85:
"Comprehensive Review of the Whole Question
of Peacekeeping Operations in All Their Aspects"
New York, October 17, 2003
Mr.
Chairman,
As
this is the first time my delegation takes the floor, please allow me to
congratulate you on your well-deserved election, and wish you every success in
steering the work of the Committee. I also wish to express my appreciation to
the Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno,
for his excellent and comprehensive report.
I
would firstly like to strongly support the emphasis and high significance
attached by the European Union to the element of the Rule of Law and to the need
to include consistent principles in mission mandates, and also stress the great
importance we attribute to the safety and security of United Nations and
associated personnel in peacekeeping operations.
Established
under Resolution 186, which was adopted on 4 March 1964, UNFICYP was created,
with the consent of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, “in the interest
of preserving international peace and security, to use its best efforts to
prevent a recurrence of fighting and, as necessary, to contribute to the
maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal
conditions”. UNFICYP was inevitably forced to adjust its mandate in 1974 as a
result of the Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation of 37% of Cypriot
territory. The 35,000 Turkish occupation troops stationed in this 3,500 sq. km
of land in order to enforce military partition, make the northern part of
The
Government of Cyprus is grateful to the UN, UNFICYP and its personnel, and the
contributing countries for the work done by this peacekeeping operation in
Mr.
Chairman,
The
partial lifting of restrictions of movement by the occupying power, earlier this
year, across the buffer zone, has demonstrated the lack of any truth in the
anachronistic argument of Turkey and its subordinate local administration, and
in particular its head, Mr. Denktash, that the two Communities are unable to
live together harmoniously, and it has proven beyond any doubt that only a
political settlement stands in the way of achieving peaceful living conditions
between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Even
though such a measure is not substitute for a comprehensive settlement to the
Cyprus problem, the complete lack of friction between Greek and Turkish Cypriots
since the above measure was implemented, undoubtedly proves that the element
which has made this line so resilient for so long, is the intransigence of the
Turkish Cypriot leadership and the Turkish Government.
At
the opposite end of the spectrum, the Greek Cypriot side, appreciating the value
of easing movement restrictions in the efforts to bring the two Communities
closer has proposed, through UNFICYP, an increase in the number of locations
along the buffer zone which can serve as crossing points, an initiative that has
yet to find a response from the Turkish Cypriot leadership.
Since
April 2003, the Cyprus Government has announced and is implementing a set of
measures aimed at improving the living conditions of the Turkish Cypriots and
making available to them benefits, all Cypriots are entitled to, and which they
are currently deprived, due to the separatist policies pursued by their
leadership. The European Commission has also been processing a set of measures
aiming towards the economic advancement of the Turkish Cypriot Community.
In
the framework of the positive climate created by such measures, and in
conformity with the constructive stance the Greek Cypriot side has maintained
throughout the many attempts to reach a settlement, President Papadopoulos has
announced, from the podium of the General Assembly, the intention of the Cyprus
Government to unilaterally start within the next two months, mine clearance in
the buffer zone, in cooperation with the UN and with the financial assistance of
the European Union. We will also proceed with the destruction of a considerable
amount of stockpiled anti-personnel mines within the framework of our
obligations under the Ottawa Convention.
Ignoring
the positive impetus prevalent, the Turkish Cypriot leadership has not only
failed to display the analogous political will and wisdom, which is a
prerequisite for a breakthrough, but has hindered the attempts of the UN with
additional provocation. The ongoing advancing of the positions of the Turkish
occupation army along the ceasefire line in the area of Strovilia, constitute a
clear violation of the status quo. However, more than three years since these
actions began the issue remains unsolved, indicating that UNFICYP is not, in
this case, instrumental in executing its mandate by safeguarding the status quo.
The lack of tangible results in the attempts to resolve the above crisis has
once again illustrated the need to reinforce the role of UNFICYP and make its
capacity consistent with its mandate and responsibilities.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
sheer amount of resources consumed on sustaining this particular peace keeping
operation could be proportional to the seriousness of the Cyprus problem, but we
have to be conscious of the fact that the main raison
d’être of UNFICYP today is the negative attitude of the Turkish
side, which persists in pursuing their “no solution” policy and the
consolidation of faits accomplis.
Had
the response of the Turkish Cypriot leadership on the political level matched
the overwhelming desire of the Turkish Cypriots themselves to accomplish a
settlement,
The
contribution on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, of one third of the UNFICYP
budget, is indicative of our commitment to sustain its unhindered functioning so
long as peace is absent in Cyprus. However, we would like to reiterate to the TC
leadership and Ankara that a just and viable solution in accordance with UN
Resolutions, International Law and the Acquis
Communautaire has been delayed far too long and should be addressed both as
a matter of urgency and a matter of principle. Such a development, combined with
our demilitarisation proposals, would constitute solid foundation on which to
heal the scars of the past, achieve common prosperity, and build a stable and
peaceful Eastern Mediterranean Region within the wider European family.
Thank
you, Mr. Chairman.
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