March 29, 2024

Letter dated 7 June 2004 from the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary General (A/58/859–S/2004/598)

United Nations

A/58/859–S/2004/598

  General Assembly

Security Council

Distr.: General

27 July 2004

Original: English


 


General Assembly                                                           Security Council
Fifty-eighth session                                                         
    Fifty-ninth year
Agenda item 30
Question of Cyprus

Letter dated 26 July 2004 from the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

Upon instructions from my Government, I wish to refer to the thirtieth anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus , a very sad occasion for my country and its people, and to strongly protest against the “celebrations” that took place in the occupied area of Cyprus on that occasion. The “celebrations” were attended by high-ranking Turkish government officials, headed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Gul. In the framework of these “celebrations”, three vessels (two frigates and one submarine) of the Turkish military navy arrived at the occupied port of Famagusta .

It is with great disappointment that we witness, for yet another time, Turkey ’s insistence on distorting the historical truth about Cyprus . it is also ironic that Turkey attempts to present a permanent violation of international law, namely, a military invasion against a sovereign State Member of the United Nations, and a subsequent illegal occupation, as an event worthy of enthusiastic commemorations and power demonstrations. Such acts not only constitute a blatant insult to the people of Cyprus, who still suffer from the painful consequences of Turkish invasion and occupation, but also heighten feelings of insecurity and undermine continuous efforts towards reconciliation and mutual trust between the two communities.

Unfortunately, at a time when Turkey ’s European perspectives and Cyprus ’s accession to the European Union create a new momentum for reconciliation and reunification, Turkey ’s policy on Cyprus remains unaltered. Instead of fulfilling its Cyprus-related obligations that arise from its agreements with the European Union, as well as from international law, Turkey attempts both by word and by action to promote secession, in complete defiance of the relevant Security Council resolutions, and to consolidate the existing unacceptable status quo. The speech delivered by the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs during the military parade in occupied Nicosia on 20 July leaves no room for doubt as to Turkey ’s real intentions with regard to Cyprus . It is evident that Turkey will not hesitate to exploit the present circumstances in order to achieve political gains for the illegal regime in the northern part of Cyprus and will thus try to legitimize the results of partition imposed upon Cyprus through the use of force and sustained by military strength.

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.

(Signed) Andreas D. Mavroyiannis