by Apostolis Zoupaniotis
United Nations, Dec 15 (CNA) — The UN Security Council is expected later today to adopt a resolution renewing for a further six-month period the madate of the UN Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
After consultations the 15-member body agreed on the content of the resolution.
According to the draft resolution, the Security Council welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 1 December 2006 on the United Nations operation in
It notes that the Government of Cyprus is agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island it is necessary to keep UNFICYP beyond 15 December 2006.
It takes note of the assessment of the Secretary-General that the security situation on the island continues to be generally stable and that the situation along the Green Line remains calm, and welcomes the decrease in the overall number of incidents involving the two sides.
The Security Council urges both sides to avoid any action which could lead to an increase in tension such as military exercises and, in this context, notes with concern that disagreements have arisen over civilian activities in the buffer zone, including farming and construction, and encourages both sides to engage in consultations with UNFICYP on the demarcation of the buffer zone, respecting UNFICYP’s mandate, and to reach an agreed approach to UNFICYP’s operations in the buffer zone on the basis of the UN’s 1989 Aide Memoire.
The Copuncil expresses its strong appreciation for the work of Under-Secretary-General Gambari in achieving the 8 July agreement and welcomes ”the principles and decisions enshrined therein, including recognition that the status quo is unacceptable and that a comprehensive settlement based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation and political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council Resolutions, is both desirable and possible and should not be further delayed, but noting, with regret, the Secretary-General’s assessment that continued lack of trust between the parties has so far prevented the implementation of any of those decisions, underlining the need to implement the 8 July agreement without further delay, and expressing the hope that the recent positive reaction of the leaders of both communities to suggestions by the UN will result in the finalisation of the preparatory phase as soon as possible in order to prepare the ground for fully-fledged negotiations leading to a comprehensive and durable settlement.”
The international body welcomes continued progress in demining, expresses strong support for UNFICYP’s efforts to extend demining operations to Turkish Forces minefields in the rest of the buffer zone, and welcomes the prospect that it could be declared free of mines within two years.
The Council reiterates its call to the parties to assess and address the humanitarian issue of missing persons with due urgency and seriousness, and welcomes in this regard the resumption of the activities of the Committee on Missing Persons since August 2004, and the progress which has since been made, as well as the appointment by the Secretary-General of a Third Member.
It also welcomes the continuing crossings by Greek Cypriots to the north and Turkish Cypriots to the south which have taken place peacefully, and encourages early progress on other confidence building measures, such as the opening of additional crossing points, including at
.
It welcomes all efforts to promote bicommunal contacts and events, including, inter alia, on the part of the United Nations, and urging the two sides to promote further bicommunal contacts and to remove any obstacles to such contacts.
”Expressing concern, in this respect, that opportunities for constructive public debate about the future of the island, within and between the communities, are becoming fewer, and that this atmosphere is hampering, in particular, efforts to foster bi-communal activities intended to benefit Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and to promote reconciliation and build trust in order to facilitate a comprehensive settlement,” the draft resolution adds.
The Security Council notes the primary role of the UN in assisting the parties to bring the
It reaffirms the importance of the Secretary-General continuing to keep the operations of UNFICYP under close review while continuing to take into account developments on the ground and the views of the parties, and ”reverting to the Council with recommendations as appropriate for further adjustments to UNFICYP’s mandate, force levels and concept of operation as soon as warranted.”
It echoes the Secretary-General’s gratitude to the Government of Cyprus and the Government of Greece for their voluntary contributions to the funding of UNFICYP, and his request for further voluntary contributions from other countries and organizations.
It welcomes and encourages efforts by the United Nations to sensitize peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations.
The draft resolution also welcomes the observations in the Secretary-General’s report on progress since June, and in particular on developments since 8 July, and expresses appreciation for his personal efforts over the last 10 years, and those of his staff, aimed at achieving a comprehensive solution.
It reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on
The Council expresses its full support for UNFICYP, including its mandate in the buffer zone, and decides to extend its mandate for a further period ending 15 June 2007.
It calls on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces to restore in Strovilia the military status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000.
The Council expresses full support for the process agreed by the leaders, encourages active participation in bicommunal discussions as described in Under-Secretary-General Gambari’s letter of 15 November 2006, under the auspices of the SRSG, and calls for early completion of the preparatory phase so that a fully-fledged Good Offices process may resume as soon as possible.
It requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on implementation of this resolution by 1 June 2007.
It welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNFICYP to implement the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including the conduct of pre-deployment awareness training, and to take disciplinary action and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel.
Finally the Council decides to remain seized of the matter.
