Letter written to the UN Security Council by H.E. Mr. Reşat Çağlar, the TRNC New York Representative on September 24, 2002. 

            Upon instructions from my Government, I have the honour to refer to the letter dated 27 August 2002 (A/56/1030-S/2002/967) addressed to you by the Greek Cypriot representative to the United Nations, which contain allegations of “violations of the airspace of the Republic” and “of the flight information region (FIR) of Nicosia”.  

            It will be recalled that similar allegations of so-called “airspace and FIR violations” were refuted in our previous communications addressed to you, most recently in the letter dated 17 July 2002 (A/56/1007/-S/2002/781). I wish to reiterate that flights within the sovereign airspace of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus take place with the full knowledge and consent of the appropriate authorities of the State, over which the Greek Cypriot administration in South Cyprus has no jurisdiction or any right of say whatsoever. Furthermore, it should be underlined that allegations of so-called violations of the flight information region or violations of air-traffic regulations are void and groundless under international law. Every precuation is being taken for the safety of navigation of civil air traffic during the activities of Turkish State aircraft within international airspace, within which the civil aivation authority of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the only competent authority to provide air traffic and aeronautical information services.

            As stated in my previous letters, such allegations are based on the false and illegitimate claim that the sovereignty of the Greek Cypriot administration extends over the whole island, including the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This claim by the Greek Cypriot side is divorced from the existing realities in Cyprus, namely, the existence of two independent States, each exercising sovereignty and jurisdiction within its respective territories on the island.  

            In spite of the clear necessity to refrain from actions which exacerbate the lack of confidence between the two sides in Cyprus and thus reduce the chances of reconciliation, the Greek Cypriot administration is engaged in a massive military build-up in South Cyprus.  

            The Greek Cypriot press reported on 13 August 2002 that the Greek Cypriot Defence Minister, Mr. Hasikos, in a statement made on 12 August 2002 at a commemoration ceremony, did not hesitate to state that, within the framework of the “Joint Military Doctrine” signed between the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece, they would contnue to arm secretly. Furthermore, the Greek Cypriot newspapers reported that, as part of its military build-up, the Greek Cypriot administration is continuing in its efforts to purchase multi-purpose assault helicopters. In this context, it is in contact with the Russian Kamov, French Eurocopter and United States Sikorsky firms with a view to purchasing more sophisticated helicopters.  

            I would like to note that the military activities of the Greek Cypriot side are taking place at the time of the ongoing direct talks between the two States in Cyprus, on the basis of the agreement reached between President Denktaş and the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Clerides, on 4 December 2001 (S/2001/1162, annex). Let us hope that the Greek Cypriot administration will refrain from taking any further action which would hamper the prospects of achieving progress though the current phase of the talks. At this crucial stage, it as all the more pertinent that the Greek Cypriot administration cease all hostile and provocative activities and adopt a constructive stance, which would facilitate progress towards a comprehensive settlement between the two States.  

            I should be grateful if the present letter could be circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 54, and of the Security Council.  

(Signed) 
Reşat Çağlar
Representative
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus