The Cyprus Government welcomes the appointment of Mr. Richard Holbrooke, the new US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus as a sign of American interest in solving the long-standing Cyprus problem. [Read more…]
The Cyprus Government welcomes Mr. Holbrooke’s appointment as special US Presidential emissary for Cyprus
June 5, 1997
Cabinet Reshuffle in Cyprus
April 11, 1997
The President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Glafcos Clerides announced on April 8 a cabinet reshuffle, the first one since his election in February 1993. [Read more…]
Extract on Cyprus from the 12th Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement New Delhi
April 9, 1997
109. The Ministers reaffirmed all previous positions and declarations of the Non-Aligned Movement on the question of Cyprus and expressed deep concern over the fact that no progress has been achieved in the search for a just and viable solution. [Read more…]
S/RES/1092 (1996)
December 23, 1996
| United Nations |
S/RES/1092 (1996) |
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Security Council | Distr.: General
23 December 1996 |
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RESOLUTION 1092 (1996)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3728th meeting,
on 23 December 1996
The Security Council,
Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cyprus of 10 December 1996 (S/1996/1016 and Add. 1),
Welcoming also the report of the Secretary-General on his mission of good offices in Cyprus of 17 December 1996 (S/1996/1055),
Noting that the Government of Cyprus has agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island it is necessary to keep the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) beyond 31 December 1996,
Reaffirming its earlier relevant resolutions on Cyprus, and in particular resolutions 186 (1964) of 4 March 1964, 939 (1994) of 29 July 1994 and 1062 (1996) of 28 June 1996,
Gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in Cyprus and by the fact the intercommunal tensions on the island have escalated and, over the last six-month period, violence along the cease-fire lines has reached a level not seen since 1974 as stated in the report of the Secretary-General of 10 December 1996,
Concerned also at the increased use of and threat to use violence against the personnel of UNFICYP,
Noting the beginning of indirect discussions through the UNFICYP Force Commander between the military authorities of both sides on measures aimed at reduction of military tensions,
Reiterating its concern that the negotiations on a final political solution have been at an impasse for too long,
1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period ending on 30 June 1997,
2. Deplores the violent incidents of 11 and 14 August, 8 September and 15 October 1996, which resulted in the tragic deaths of three Greek Cypriot civilians and one member of the Turkish Cypriot Security Forces, as well as injuries to civilians and UNFICYP personnel, in particular the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by the Turkish/Turkish Cypriot side, as well as the largely passive role played by the Cypriot police in response to civilian demonstrations;
3. Reminds both sides of their obligation to prevent violence directed against UNFICYP personnel, particularly those involving firearms, which inhibit UNFICYP from carrying out its mandated responsibilities, and demands that they ensure UNFICYP complete freedom of movement and extend their full cooperation to UNFICYP;
4. Emphasizes the need to maintain law and order and, in this context, demands that both parties prevent unauthorised incursions into the buffer zone, and respond immediately and responsibly to any demonstrations which violate the buffer zone and any demonstrations near the buffer zone that might lead to an increase in tensions;
5. Calls upon the parties to accept as a package, without delay or preconditions, the reciprocal measures proposed by UNFICYP, namely: (a) to extend the 1989 unmanning agreement to other areas where the two sides remain in close proximity to each other; (b) to prohibit loaded weapons along the cease-fire lines; and (c) to adopt a code of conduct, based on the concept of minimal force and proportional response, to be followed by troops on both sides along the cease-fire line, and expresses its disappointment that no progress has been made towards implementing these measures thus far;
6. Further calls upon the military authorities on both sides;
(a) To clear all minefield and booby-trapped areas inside the buffer zone without further delay, as requested by UNFICYP;
(b) To cease military construction in the immediate vicinity of the buffer zone;
(c) To refrain from any military exercises along the buffer zone;
7. Reiterates grave concern about the excessive levels of military forces and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus and the rate at which they are being expanded, upgraded and modernised, including the introduction of sophisticated weaponry, as well as the lack of progress towards a significant reduction in the number of foreign troops in the Republic of Cyprus, which threaten to raise tensions both on the island and in the region and complicate efforts to negotiate an overall political settlement;
8. Calls again upon all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending and a reduction in the number of foreign troops in the Republic of Cyprus to help restore confidence between the parties and as a first step towards the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces as described in the set of ideas (S/24472, annex.), stresses the importance of eventual demilitarisation of the Republic of Cyprus as an objective in the context of an overall comprehensive settlement, and calls upon the Secretary-General to continue to promote efforts in this direction;
9. Expresses continuing concern about military exercises in the region, including overflights in the airspace of Cyprus by military fixed-wing aircraft, which have markedly increased political tension on the island and undermined efforts towards achieving a settlement;
10. Reiterates that the status quo is unacceptable and stresses its support for the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices and the importance of the concerted efforts to work with the Secretary-General towards an overall comprehensive settlement;
11. Welcomes the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, and of those working in support, to prepare the ground for open-ended direct negotiations in the first half of 1997 between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities in order to secure an overall settlement;
12. Calls upon the parties to cooperate with the Special Representative to that end, as well as with his intensified preparatory work in the first months of 1997 with the objective of clarifying the main elements of an overall settlement;
13. Underlines that the success of this process will require the creation of genuine mutual confidence on both sides and the avoidance of actions which increase tension and calls upon the leaders of both communities to create a climate of reconciliation and confidence;
14. Reaffirms its position that a Cyprus 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, and comprising two politically equal communities as described in the relevant Security Council resolutions, in a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation, and that such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession;
15. Welcomes the continuous efforts by UNFICYP to implement its humanitarian mandate in respect of Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the northern part of the island, and Turkish Cypriots living in the southern part, and regrets that there has been no further progress on the implementation of recommendations arising out of the humanitarian review undertaken by UNFICYP in 1995;
16. Welcomes the continuing efforts of the United Nations and others in the international community to promote bi-communal events, regrets the obstacles which have been placed in the way of such contacts, and strongly urges all concerned, and especially the Turkish Cypriot community leadership, to lift all obstacles to such contacts;
17. Reaffirms that the decision of the European Union concerning the opening of accession negotiations with Cyprus is an important new development that should facilitate an overall settlement;
18. Requests the Secretary-General to keep under review the structure and strength of UNIFCYP with a view to its possible restructuring, and to present any new considerations he may have in this regard;
19. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report by 10 June 1997 on the implementation of this resolution;
20. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
S/1996/1055 – Report of the Secretary-General on his mission of good offices in Cyprus
December 17, 1996
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S/1996/1055 |
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Security Council | Distr.: General
17 December 1996 Original: English |
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Report of the Secretary-General on his mission of good offices in Cyprus
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The present report is submitted pursuant to the Security Council’s request in paragraph 14 of its resolution 1062 (1996) of 28 June 1996 that I report on the implementation of that resolution. My report on those aspects of the resolution which relate to the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Cyprus has already been submitted to the Council, on 10 December 1996 (S/1996/1016). The present report concerns my mission of good offices.
2. In the most recent report on my mission of good offices, dated 25 June 1996 (S/1996/467), I informed the Council that the considerable efforts undertaken during the previous 20 months had not succeeded in breaking the impasse in Cyprus. They had included a number of separate meetings between myself and the leaders of the two communities; direct talks between the two leaders hosted in October 1994 by my Deputy Special Representative, Mr. Gustave Feissel; various missions to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey by my then Special Representative, Mr. Joe Clark; and efforts by a number of interested Governments.
3. In resolution 1062 (1996), the Security Council reiterated its concern that there had been no progress towards an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem, reiterated that the status quo was unacceptable, and called upon the parties to demonstrate concretely their commitment to an overall settlement. The Council also called upon the two leaders to work with the Secretary-General and with the many countries supporting his mission of good offices to break the current impasse by establishing common ground on which direct negotiations could be resumed. The Council further recognized that the decision of the European Union concerning the opening of accession negotiations with Cyprus was an important new development that should facilitate an overall settlement.
II. A REVIEW OF THE EFFORTS MADE SINCE JUNE 1996
4. In the course of the past six months, intensive efforts have been made to break the impasse and to create conditions for successful direct negotiations between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities.
5. As envisaged in my last report, my new Special Representative, Mr. Han Sung-Joo, undertook an extensive familiarization mission during the last week in June and the first half of July. In Cyprus he had two extended meetings with each of the two leaders, as well as meetings with political party leaders, businessmen and trade unionists on both sides. He went on to visit Athens and Ankara, as well as the capitals of a number of interested Governments, notably London, Moscow, Paris and Washington, and Dublin and Brussels for meetings with the Presidency of the European Union (EU) and the European Commission respectively. On subsequent occasions, he visited Bonn, London and Paris.
6. He found that the situation in the area remained very much as described in my last report. The positions of the two leaders appeared far apart on a number of issues. The Greek Cypriot leader emphasized that in order to avoid yet another unproductive direct meeting, it was necessary to ensure that sufficient common ground existed between the two sides before direct
talks began. He identified five key areas in which common ground had to be established: security, EU membership, territory, sovereignty and political equality. The Turkish Cypriot leader, for his part, reaffirmed his readiness to meet for direct talks within the parameters of an equal partnership and the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee. He opposed any change in the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, including Turkey’s right of unilateral intervention. He was also opposed to Cyprus joining the European Union before Turkey, which, he believed, would negate what he regarded as the foundation of an overall settlement, notably bizonality and the Treaty of
Guarantee. It was thus clear that direct talks would not at that time yield positive results.
7. My Special Representative reported to me that his meetings with a broadcross-section of the two communities had revealed a plurality of views and opinions. He underlined the critical importance of support from Greece and Turkey if negotiations were to succeed. He saw the issue of the accession of Cyprus to the European Union as an important new factor. The decision by EU to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus six months after the conclusion of its Intergovernmental Conference had in effect established a time-frame of approximately 18 months for the achievement of an overall settlement. It was therefore important for all concerned to redouble their efforts. He told me that this assessment was shared by his interlocutors in the capitals he had visited.
8. My Special Representative’s second visit to the area in mid-September was overshadowed by the incidents on 11 and 14 August and their aftermath, which had raised tensions on the island to a high level (see S/1996/1016, paras. 2-11). His discussions with the leaders of the two communities therefore focused on ways of reducing the tension. To this end, he built upon the efforts of my Deputy Special Representative to encourage the two leaders to issue a joint statement which would make clear that the incidents did not reflect the true sentiments of the people of the two communities; that such incidents must never occur again; that they underscored the urgent need to resolve differences through negotiation; and that the leaders pledged themselves to redouble their efforts to cooperate with the Secretary-General and work tirelessly to reach an overall settlement. The Turkish Cypriot leader agreed to such a joint statement but the Greek Cypriot leader considered that, given the circumstances surrounding the incidents, a joint statement would not be appropriate. However, he subsequently issued a statement of his own that the incidents must not dissuade the parties from pursuing with increased energy efforts to find an overall settlement under the auspices of the Secretary-General and that they could not be interpreted to mean that the two communities cannot live together in peace and prosperity in their common home, Cyprus. He also called upon both communities to make every effort to defuse the existing tensions.
9. Throughout the period covered by the present report, my Deputy Special Representative continued his regular meetings with the leaders of the two communities in an effort to promote the conditions for direct talks to achieve an overall settlement; to address the serious problems resulting from the August incidents and subsequent ones which also resulted in fatalities; and to lay the basis for the discussions which are currently under way between the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and the military authorities on both sides on proposals for the reduction of tension along the ceasefire lines (see S/1996/1016). The Deputy Special Representative also remained in close touch with representatives of Governments that have been actively supporting my mission of good offices.
10. The third visit to the area by my Special Representative took place in mid-December. In Cyprus, he held two separate meetings with each of the two leaders. In Athens and Ankara, he met with senior Foreign Ministry officials. The main purpose of this visit was to assess the situation on the eve of my preparation of the present report. He found that the gap in the positions of the two sides had not narrowed and that each leader continued to express serious doubts about the true intentions of the other. This made it difficult to be optimistic about the prospects for direct talks. On the substance, the two leaders reiterated their well-known positions, as described in paragraph 6 above. The Greek Cypriot leader said that, in view of the campaign which would precede the presidential elections scheduled for February 1998, the window of opportunity for negotiations was likely to close by the autumn of 1997. My Special Representative reiterated to both leaders and to his interlocutors in Athens and Ankara the concern of the United Nations and the international community about the existing situation in Cyprus. He emphasized the urgent need for direct negotiations on an overall settlement and for intensified preparations for such negotiations to begin early in 1997, with the active support of Greece and Turkey.
11. In my last report I noted the growing international interest in the Cyprus problem, in particular among the permanent members of the Security Council and the members of the European Union. This has continued to intensify. During the period under review, senior officials from France, the EU Presidency (Ireland), the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America visited Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, in some cases several times. Their purpose was to help overcome the existing impasse by exploring possible ways of bringing the positions of the two sides closer together and to seek greater support from Greece and Turkey. The missions by the Special Representative of the EU Presidency focused in particular on a possible EU contribution to an overall settlement in the context of the EU’s decision to initiate accession negotiations with Cyprus. Such a contribution would include explanation of the benefits which EU membership would bring to all Cypriots and would also address Turkish Cypriot concerns about its implications for an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem, particularly as regards bizonality, the Turkish guarantee and the relationship of Greece and Turkey with Cyprus. All the senior officials who undertook these missions recognized the importance of ensuring that the efforts of interested Governments are coordinated with those of the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices. To this end, regular consultations have taken place between the United Nations and representatives of interested Governments in Cyprus, at United Nations Headquarters and elsewhere.
III. OBSERVATIONS
12. The Cyprus problem has been at an impasse for a considerable time. Since my last report, the situation has deteriorated seriously and has been marked by a level of violence unprecedented since 1974. Frustration that a settlement has proved elusive for so long runs deep within both communities. Unless the political leadership on both sides manifests the necessary determination to negotiate an overall settlement and this process is fully supported by Greece and Turkey, the present unstable situationwill persist and even lead to greater dangers.
13. The developments of recent months and the military build-up in Cyprus have underscored what the Security Council has pointed out for so long, that the status quo in Cyprus is most unstable and is not tenable. The events of recent months are a warning. If the current situation is allowed to persist, the consequences will be to the detriment of both communities.
14. The apparent calm that has prevailed for some years has lulled political leaders and the people of both communities into a false sense of stability. Many continue to believe that the situation will remain stable until the underlying dispute is resolved. Beneath the surface, however, the situation in Cyprus is changing, in terms both of the demographic composition of the island and of the relationship of the two communities with each other and to the outside world. Either the two communities will take control of their destiny by reaching an overall settlement on the basis that has already been agreed, or forces beyond their control will fundamentally change the situation on the island.
15. As has often been pointed out before, the exercise of good offices by successive Secretaries-General has, over the years, generated the substantive elements necessary to reach an overall agreement, as well as the procedures for achieving that objective. I refer especially to the 1977 and 1979 high-level agreements in which the leaders of the two communities agreed on key principles of a solution, including the establishment of a bicommunal and bizonal federation whose independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity would be guaranteed. Other key principles are to be found in Security Council resolutions, in the Set of Ideas and in other ideas explored in recent years. Procedurally, it has become evident that an overall settlement can best be reached through mutual concessions in a comprehensive negotiating session which will continue as long as necessary to reach agreement.
16. As the Security Council recognized in resolution 1062 (1996), the decision of the European Union to open accession negotiations with Cyprus is an important new development that should facilitate an overall settlement. That decision and the timetable that flows from it provide an additional important reason for both sides to redouble their efforts. It is clearly in the vital interests of both communities to reach a solution before accession negotiations begin. It is widely believed that the accession by Cyprus to EU membership in a manner consistent with the agreed basis for an overall settlement would offer both communities the opportunity for enhanced prosperity and security.
17. An urgent effort is accordingly required in 1997 to bring about early direct talks between the two leaders, in the manner described above, to negotiate an overall agreement. Both leaders should clearly and publicly commit themselves to such a process.
18. To facilitate this objective, preparations for direct negotiations are being intensified by the Secretariat. The extensive material which already exists is being reviewed and, as appropriate, updated and expanded, and additional material prepared, so that the United Nations will be in a position to help the leaders of the two communities reach common positions during their negotiations. In addition, more intensive contacts with the leaders of the two communities and with Greece and Turkey are planned for the new year, including longer visits to Cyprus and to the area by my Special Representative. I rely on continued support by interested Governments for these initiatives. I also call upon the Governments of Greece and Turkey, which have a special obligation to Cyprus, to become more active in support of the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices.
19. The success of this effort will depend to an important extent on the creation of an atmosphere of confidence and reconciliation between the two communities. Both leaders must give tangible indications that they are seeking an overall settlement on the basis of one country and to ensure that their words and deeds are in harmony with that objective. Such a change in attitude cannot wait for a settlement; it must precede it and should be adopted without delay. The emphasis in their public statements and in their communications with each other must shift away from polemics and mutual accusations and towards their future relationship in a federal Cyprus. Messages of reconciliation and tolerance from both leaders and their communities are long overdue.
20. Both sides should also implement goodwill measures that give tangible indications of their good intentions and help create an atmosphere of confidence. Such measures could include the following: crossing with minimal formality by members of both communities at the Ledra Palace checkpoint (e.g., by only presenting identity cards); facilitating bicommunal contacts; cooperation and joint projects in areas of inter-communal concern such as the environment, water, health, education (including the elimination of biased and negative representations of each other) and the restoration of historic sites; youth and student exchanges; bicommunal sports events; elimination of provocative emblems and slogans; island-wide telephone communications; and bicommunal commercial activities and trade. I call on both leaders to take such measures.
21. Furthermore, it is important that the UNFICYP proposals for further unmanning, the prohibition of loaded weapons and a military code of conduct along the ceasefire lines be agreed to and implemented without delay.
22. The current situation offers the two communities, and the region, both a warning signal and an opportunity. The two leaders have a responsibility to their communities and to Cyprus as a whole to recognize the seriousness of the moment and to seize the opportunity it presents by agreeing to negotiate a comprehensive settlement on the basis of mutual concessions and to facilitate this process by conveying to each other in both words and deeds a message of reconciliation. In conclusion, I call upon both leaders to cooperate with my Special Representative and my Deputy Special Representative and with the Governments that support the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices.
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Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cyprus (S/1996/1016)
December 10, 1996
Statement by the Permanent Representative of Cyprus Ambassador Mr. Nicos Agathocleous to the 3rd Committee on the Human Rights situation in Cyprus
November 21, 1996
Madame Chairperson,
In 1993, forty-five years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Community happily recognized, that all Human Rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and therefore their promotion and protection is a global legitimate concern. [Read more…]
Address by the President of Cyprus Mr. Glafcos Clerides to the 51st Session of the UN General Assembly
September 26, 1996
Mr. President,
I would like to begin by extending to you my warmest congratulations on your election as President of the General Assembly. We are certain that your long experience, outstanding ability and diplomatic skill will guide us successfully in our work at this fifty-first session of the General Assembly. [Read more…]
S/Res/774(1992)
August 26, 1996
| United Nations |
S/Res/774(1992) |
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Security Council | Distr.: General
26 August 1992 |
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RESOLUTION 774 (1992)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3109th meeting,
on 26 August 1992
The Security Council,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 21 August 1992 on his mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/24472),
Reaffirming all its previous resolutions on Cyprus,
Noting that some progress has been achieved, in particular the acceptance by both sides of the right of return and the right to property, and in a narrowing of the gap by both sides on territorial adjustments,
Expressing concern nevertheless that it has not yet been possible, for reasons explained in the report, to achieve the goals set out in resolution 750 (1992),
1. Endorses the report of the Secretary-General and commends him for his efforts;
2. Reaffirms its position that a Cyprus 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, and comprising two politically equal communities as defined in paragraph 11 of the Secretary-General’s report of 3 April 1992 (S/23780) in a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation, and that such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession;
3. Endorses the Set of Ideas including suggested territorial adjustments reflected in the map contained in the annex to the Secretary-General’s report as the basis for reaching an overall framework agreement;
4. Agrees with the Secretary-General that the Set of Ideas as an integrated whole has now been sufficiently developed to enable the two sides to reach an overall agreement;
5. Calls on the parties to manifest the necessary political will and to address in a positive manner the observations of the Secretary-General for resolving the issues covered in his report;
6. Urges the parties, when they resume their face-to-face talks with the Secretary-General on 26 October 1992, to pursue uninterrupted negotiations at United Nations Headquarters until an overall framework agreement is reached on the basis of the entire Set of Ideas;
7. Reaffirms its position that the Secretary-General convene, following the satisfactory conclusion of the face-to-face talks, a high-level international meeting chaired by him to conclude an overall framework agreement, in which the two communities and Greece and Turkey would participate;
8. Requests all concerned to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and his representatives in preparing the ground prior to the resumption of the direct talks in October to facilitate the speedy completion of the work;
9. Expresses the expectation that an overall framework agreement will be concluded in 1992 and that 1993 will be the transitional period during which the measures set out in the annex to the Set of Ideas will be implemented;
10. Reaffirms that, in line with previous resolutions of the Security Council, the present status quo is not acceptable, and, should an agreement not emerge from the talks that will reconvene in October, calls on the Secretary-General to identify the reasons for the failure and to recommend to the Council alternative courses of action to resolve the Cyprus problem;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to submit, prior to the end of 1992, a full report on the talks that will resume in October.
S/RES/1062 (1996)
June 28, 1996
| United Nations |
S/RES/1062 (1996) |
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Security Council | Distr.: General
28 June 1996 |
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RESOLUTION 1062 (1996)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3675th meeting,
on 28 June 1996
The Security Council,
Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cyprus of 7 June 1996 (S/1996/411 and Corr.1 and Add.1),
Welcoming also the report of the Secretary-General on his Mission of Good Offices in Cyprus of 25 June 1996 (S/1996/467),
Taking note of the recommendation in his report of 7 June 1996 that the Security Council extend the mandate of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP),
Noting that the Government of Cyprus has agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island that it is necessary to keep the force in Cyprus beyond 30 June 1996,
Reaffirming its earlier relevant resolutions on Cyprus, and in particular resolutions 186 (1964) of 4 March 1964, 939 (1994) of 29 July 1994 and 1032 (1995) of 19 December 1995,
Reiterating its concern that there has been no progress towards a final political solution, and agreeing with the assessment of the Secretary-General that the negotiations have been at an impasse for too long,
Regretting that no progress has been made in introducing measures to prohibit along the cease-fire lines live ammunition or weapons other than those which are hand-held and to prohibit the firing of weapons within sight or hearing of the buffer zone, or in extending the 1989 unmanning agreement,
Expressing concern about the restrictions placed upon the freedom of movement of UNFICYP in the northern part of the island, as described in paragraph 27 of the report of the Secretary General of 7 June 1996, 96-16201 (E) /… S/RES/1062 (1996) Page 2
1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period ending on 31 December 1996;
2. Welcomes the appointment of Mr. Han Sung-Joo as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Cyprus and calls upon both parties to cooperate fully with him in his efforts to facilitate a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem;
3. Deplores the tragic incident involving the fatal shooting of a Greek Cypriot National Guardsman inside the United Nations buffer zone on 3 June 1996, as well as the hindering by Turkish Cypriot soldiers of UNFICYP personnel attempting to assist the National Guardsman and investigate the incident, as documented in the report of the Secretary-General of 7 June 1996;
4. Expresses serious concern about the continuing modernization and upgrading of military forces in the Republic of Cyprus, the excessive levels of military forces and armaments and the lack of progress towards a significant reduction in the number of foreign troops in the Republic of Cyprus, urges once again all concerned to commit themselves to such a reduction and to a reduction in defence spending in the Republic of Cyprus to help restore confidence between
the parties and as a first step towards the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces as described in the set of ideas (S/24472, annex), stresses the importance of eventual demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus as an objective in the context of an overall comprehensive settlement, and calls upon the Secretary- General to continue to promote efforts in this direction;
5. Expresses serious concern also about recent military exercises in the region, including overflights in the airspace of Cyprus by military fixed-wing aircraft, which have increased tension;
6. Calls upon the military authorities on both sides:
(a) To respect the integrity of the United Nations buffer zone, ensure that no further incidents occur along the buffer zone, prevent hostile actions, including live fire against UNFICYP, grant UNFICYP complete freedom of movement and extend their full cooperation to UNFICYP;
(b) To enter immediately into discussions with UNFICYP, in line with paragraph 3 of resolution 839 (1993) of 11 June 1993, with a view to adopting reciprocal measures to prohibit along the cease-fire lines live ammunition or weapons other than those which are hand-held and to prohibit also the firing of weapons within sight or hearing of the buffer zone;
(c) To clear all minefields and booby-trapped areas inside the buffer zone without further delay, as requested by UNFICYP;
(d) To cease military construction in the immediate vicinity of the buffer zone;
(e) To enter immediately into intensive discussions with UNFICYP with a view to extending the 1989 unmanning agreement to cover all areas of the buffer zone where the two sides are in close proximity to each other, on the basis of the updated proposals submitted by the UNFICYP Force Commander in June 1996; /… S/RES/1062 (1996) Page 3
7. Welcomes the measures that have been taken by the two parties in response to the humanitarian review conducted by UNFICYP, regrets that the Turkish Cypriot side has not responded more fully to the recommendations made by UNFICYP, calls upon the Turkish Cypriot side to respect fully the basic freedoms of the Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the northern part of the island and to intensify its efforts to improve their daily lives, and calls upon the Government of Cyprus to continue its efforts to eliminate any discrimination against Turkish Cypriots living in the southern part of the island;
8. Welcomes the continuing efforts of the United Nations and diplomatic missions to promote bicommunal events, regrets the obstacles which have been placed in the way of such contacts, and strongly urges all concerned, and especially the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to lift and prevent all obstacles to such contacts;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to keep under review the structure and strength of UNFICYP with a view to its possible restructuring, and to present any new considerations he may have in this regard;
10. Reiterates that the status quo is unacceptable and calls upon the parties to demonstrate concretely their commitment to an overall political settlement;
11. Stresses its support for the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices and the importance of the concerted efforts to work with the Secretary- General towards an overall comprehensive settlement;
12. Urges the leaders of the two communities to respond positively and urgently to the Secretary-General’s call upon them to work with him and with the many countries who support his mission of good offices to break the present impasse and establish common ground on which direct negotiations can be resumed;
13. Recognizes that the decision of the European Union concerning the opening of accession negotiations with Cyprus is an important new development that should facilitate an overall settlement;
14. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report by 10 December 1996 on the implementation of the present resolution;
15. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.