FOREIGN MINISTRY EVALUATES SECURITY COUNCIL’S DECISION

“THE RESOLUTION TOUCHES UPON SOME OF THE ISSUES IN AN UNCONSTRUCTIVE AND ONE-SIDED MANNER”

Deputy Prime Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs evaluated the UN Security Council’s Resolution no. 1687 dated 15 June, regarding the extension of the UNFCYP’s  Mandate in Cyprus for another 6 months.

The full text of the Statement is as follows:

The mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has been extended for a further period of six months with Resolution 1687 of the Security Council adopted on 15 June 2006.

Despite our previous objections, the resolution reiterates that the mandate of UNFICYP has been extended with the consent of the so- called “Government of Cyprus”. We would like to state once again that the title of “Government of Cyprus” ascribed to the Greek Cypriot administration, which has usurped the legitimate government by force of arms since 1963, is not acceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriot administration, to which reference is made, has authority only in the South of the island and does not represent the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

It is an internationally recognized principle also stipulated in UN documents and reports that UN peace keeping operations are only carried out with the consent of all the parties to a dispute. The failure of resolution 1687 to take note of this principle constitutes a significant shortcoming.

The resolution touches upon some of the issues regarding the ceasefire lines and buffer zone in an unconstructive and one-sided manner. For example, it does not clearly express that the developments in the Dherinia region originate from the construction of a new observation post by the Greek Cypriot National Guard.

On the other hand, although reference is made to the increase in construction in the buffer zone, it has not been emphasized clearly enough that these construction works are being carried out by the Greek Cypriots and without our permission; nor that they constitute a violation of the status quo in the buffer zone. The Greek Cypriot constructions in the buffer zone are a threat to security and create fait accomplis which are unacceptable to us. Furthermore, while the resolution disregards the offensive actions of some irresponsible Greek Cypriot politicians at our observation post in Akýncýlar, it expresses concern for the measures taken by our police to prevent the recurrence of such events.

The addressee of the ‘gap between words and deeds’ referred to in the resolution is certainly the Greek Cypriot side. By not making this clear, the resolution places responsibility on both parties equally, which creates an injustice and encourages the intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot side, hampering efforts to resume the negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement.

The resolution also conceals the fact that the Greek Cypriot side has not given its consent to the formation of technical committees. Since 22 February 2006 we, as the Turkish Cypriot side, have communicated our written approval several times both to the UN Secretary-General and his Special Representative in Cyprus. However, the Greek Cypriot side is yet to communicate its written approval to the UN authorities. What we expect is to see the Greek Cypriot side leave the delaying tactics aside and fulfill its verbal commitment to the UN authorities concerning the formation of technical committees.

Despite the fact that our initiative concerning the opening of Lokmacý check-point was revealed both to the Greek Cypriot side and UNFICYP authorities on various occasions, the resolution does not reflect the realities regarding the issue and fails to state that the existing stalemate is the result of the negative stance of the Greek Cypriot administration. As will be recalled, the Turkish Cypriot side took a bold step and removed the wall on its side as an indication of its good faith. However, the Greek Cypriot side did not reciprocate and opted to preserve the wall on its border in order to use it in the service of its propaganda activities.

It is observed with regret that accusations leveled against the Turkish Cypriot side concerning the village of Akyar have been repeated in the current resolution. Akyar is entirely within TRNC territory and out of UNFICYP’s scope of mission.

It is impossible to understand the choice of Security Council Resolution 1251 (1999) for reaffirmation, particularly since it stands outdated in the wake of the UNSG’s mission of good offices report of 28 May 2004 prepared in the light of the new state of affairs which emerged following the referenda.

We welcome the reference in the resolution to the Secretary-General’s intention to keep the operations of UNFICYP under close review by taking into consideration the views of both parties.

As the Turkish Cypriot side, we reiterate our support for the mission of good offices of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus as well as our resolve to reach a comprehensive settlement on the basis of complete equality of the two sides. We stress our expectation that the technical committees which would be useful for the creation of an atmosphere of confidence between the two sides are formed without further delay and once again express our determination to maintain and strengthen our cooperation with the UN and UNFICYP.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan speaking to press before the UN Security Council Resolution  to  extend the UNFCYP mandate for another six months, said the situation has been complicated further by the fact that Cyprus was now a member of the European Union and Turkey was seeking to join the European Union.  He added that the Greek Cypriots’ EU membership made  the settlement  process more difficult  and that he could not promise  that he would resolve it between now and the end of December.

 

 OIC 33. TERM FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING STARTED

            OIC 33. Term Foreign Ministers Meeting started yesterday in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where the TRNC was represented under the title of “Cyprus Turkish State”.

            TRNC Economy and Tourism Minister Dervis Kemal Deniz, Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and ministers and high ranking officials from 77 countries participated  the meeting.

In his opening speech the OIC Secretary-General  Ekmeleddin  Ihsanoglu   stated that the OIC’s secretariat  was engaged in a preparation of a new  action plan aimed at lifting the existing embargoes and  helping  the “Muslim Turkish  community  to  overcome their difficulties”.

Reminding that within this framework they sent a delegation from the OIC to Cyprus in recent months,  Ihsanoglu called upon the OIC members  to  take some initiatives for  ending the isolations imposed on the  Muslim Turkish  Cypriots  with the aim of  relieving  their economic,  cultural and  social sufferings.

            OIC Secretary-General also stated that they were very pleased with Turkey’s Action Plan for Cyprus  aimed at ending the isolations.

            Meanwhile, Abdullah Gül  speaking during the meeting  pointed that the TRNC took part in the meeting under the title of  the “Cyprus Turkish State”  and was represented by  Minister Dervis Kemal Deniz. He added that  there was an increasing  support and understanding  for the Turkish Cypriots  within the OIC.

            Delivering a speech entitled “Investment Opportunities in the TRNC”, in a conference at Azerbaijan Businessmen Union, Deniz comparing investment opportunities in TRNC and South Cyprus explained the advantages of an investment in the TRNC  to Azerbaijani businessmen and to the reporters.

            Responding to a question asked besides Azerbaijan, from which other countries they received support during the OIC meeting, Deniz said  we  upgraded our status  to “Cyprus Turkish State” which is a very important  development for us. He said: “although we have an observer status, we are not a community anymore we are a state”. 

 

PRIME MINISTER SOYER: “BAKOYANNI’S INITIATIVES ARE TACTICS”

            TRNC Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer evaluated Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni’s new initiative on Cyprus as a step directed towards easing stranded policy of Greece.

            “Especially Greece and the Greek Cypriot side are in a difficult process because of Turkey’s and Turkish Cypriot people’s policies” the Prime Minister said. He added that Greece and the Greek Cypriot side were held responsible from the non-settlement by the EU and the international community.

            Reiterating that Greece and the Greek Cypriot side were also seemed responsible from the problems in Turkey-EU relations, Soyer said: “Because they are politically injured, Bakoyanni has put forward an idea in order to get out of this deadlock, but I don’t think that this idea will turn into a healthy form to really contribute to a Cyprus settlement. I describe this as a maneuver aimed at easing the stranded policy of Greece”.

            Greek Foreign Minister Bakoyanni speaking to the Greek daily Elefterotipia, mentioned about a new plan for Cyprus and stated that the name of this plan could be “United European Cyprus Plan”.