General Assembly
Fifty-eighth session

Agenda item 30

Question of Cyprus

Security Council

Fifty-ninth year

Letter dated 23 July 2004 from the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I would like to bring to your attention the following confidence-building measures that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus announced on 16 July 2004 aimed at promoting cooperation and confidence between the two communities in Cyprus and developing a sense of security among Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, thus contributing to the efforts towards resolving the Cyprus problem.

The Government proposed the opening of eight additional crossing points along the ceasefire line, demining by both sides of the existing minefields, disengagement of military forces from the walled part of the capital, Nicosia , and from the wider Dherinia-Famagusta and Strovilia areas, as well as restricting military manoeuvres. Of the eight new crossing points proposed, four are of top priority and provide for the crossing of people, vehicles and goods. Those four crossing points are: Kato Pyrgos-Karavostasi, Astromeritis-Zodia Morphou, Dhali-Louroujina and Dherinia-Famagusta. Along the proposed crossing points there exist minefields, mainly of the occupation army, that need to be dismantled in order to create conditions of security and safety. In particular, the opening of the Dherinia-Famagusta crossing point will benefit both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, especially the latter, in transporting their goods to the government-controlled area, thus enabling them to use the Republic’s ports for exporting their products.

The other four crossing points proposed to be opened at a later stage are Pomos-Pachyammos-Kato Pyrgos, for vehicles and goods, Ledra Street for pedestrians and cyclists, Athena Avenue-Agios Kassianos for people and vehicles and the area of Kantara Avenue-Mia Milia for vehicles, goods and people.

The Government also proposed that the process of demining, which has already been started unilaterally by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for minefields of the National Guard within the buffer zone, be extended for reasons of security and safe traffic of goods and people by both sides. It should be noted that the Republic of Cyprus has ratified the Ottawa anti-personnel mine ban convention, which came into effect in

Cyprus

on 1 July 2003 , and has since proceeded with the destruction of 4,000 anti-personnel mines. Although Turkey has also ratified the Ottawa convention, it has not shown, as yet, any inclination or willingness to do likewise in the occupied area of

Cyprus

The confidence-building measures also include a proposal for the unmanning of military posts in the walled town of Nicosia and in the area of Dherinia-Famagusta, and the prohibition of military manoeuvres across the ceasefire lines and extending two kilometres on either side of the lines.

Furthermore, the Government proposed the reopening of the port of Famagusta in a legitimate manner for the benefit of both communities and in conjunction with the return of the closed town of Famagusta (which has been occupied and has remained a “ghost town” since 1974) to its lawful inhabitants.

We believe that the implementation of these measures will make an important contribution in further defusing tensions on the ground and in improving conditions for allowing the mingling together and cooperation between members of the two communities in Cyprus. In particular, at this juncture, it is essential to help all Cypriots to remain focused on the prospect of the reunification of their country.

Accession to the European Union is already playing a constructive role and is creating a new dynamic in this direction, and we hope a new window of opportunity for a settlement will open soon that will respond to the aspirations of all Cypriots. We expect that the United Nations, through its good offices mission, will once again play a central role.

We earnestly hope that the Turkish side will adopt a constructive approach and cooperate in the implementation of the above measures for the benefit of all.

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 30, and of the Security Council.