The United Nations report on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, which will be distributed as an official document on Wednesday and the report which was distributed unofficially to members of the Security Council on Friday contains two amendments.
The report concerns the renewal of UNFICYP (UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus) mandate for a further six months, and was submitted to the Security Council members.
The first amendment is the removal of an entire paragraph which referred to the decision of the European Court of Justice on the Apostolides vs Orams case.
The ECJ’s ruling of 28th of April 2009 paves the way for Cypriot displaced people to defend in an effective manner their property rights against the usurpers of their properties in Turkish occupied Cyprus, before Cypriot and other European courts.
In the second amendment in the observations of the UNFICYP report, the paragraph which notes that the “establishment of economic, social, cultural, sporting or similar ties and contacts will impact positively on the ongoing efforts” and would “help ease the sense of isolation felt by the Turkish Cypriots”, the reference that “such contacts would not amount to recognition” was removed.
Reports from the UN note that it is unprecedented that such changes have taken place in a draft report which was unofficially distributed, however a similar development occurred last June with the same report.
Meanwhile, the first draft resolution that was prepared by Britain is in the hands of the five permanent members of the Security Council. The resolution, which is similar to last year’s, welcomes the progress in the ongoing talks. However efforts are underway to further improve the points which refer to the study and review of UNFICYP. Diplomatic sources indicate that from the moment assurances are made in private that any changes will take place after an agreement, it would be wise that these are made in writing.
The UN General Assembly’s pressure towards the Secretariat to restructure all the peacekeeping operations is great. The report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions on UNFICYP not only suggests a reduction of of 875.000 dollars in UNFICYP’s budget for 2009-2010, but also recommends against the establishment of P-3 Civil Affairs Officers at this time, as well a the language and liaison support staff noting the Advisory Committee’s view is that the requirement for these functions can be accommodated within existing capacity.
It also calls on the Secretary General to proceed with the restructuring of the Force the soonest possible.
The Republic of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in talks since September last year with a view to find a negotiated settlement to reunite the country, under a federal roof.
