Cyprus-Forum.com

[joe]

http://www.cyprusweekly.com.cy/default. ... wsID=304_4

Nicosia welcomes new UN resolution

Security Council renews Unficyp mandate for another six months

By Charlie Charalambous

Cyprus is satisfied with the resolution renewing UN peace keeping for another six months, but the Turkish side is fuming.

The government said it welcomed, "the conviction of the UN Secretary-General, which is also shared by the Security Council, that responsibility for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem lies, above all else, with Cypriots".

"We reiterate our good will and intention to continue working for a solution and for reunification, within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federal state with one sovereignty, one citizenship and one international personality."

However, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Nicosia was 'saddened' by the stance of the US because, "Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership are encouraged to continue making arbitrary interpretations and to insist on unacceptable positions".

The resolution endured a three-hour delay, when the US permanent representative requested reopening the debate despite prior agreement by the 15-member Council.

Demands

Diplomats said the move was prompted by Turkish demands to include a reference to two constituent states, as referred to in the Christofias-Talat statement of May 23.

Moreover, Cyprus had already given its consent to the text of the resolution.

The other 14 members backed Cyprus's position that any further debate would violate Security Council regulations.

Turkish Cypriot 'foreign minister' Turgay Avci reacted strongly to the Council decision.

He said all the issues covered in the ‘joint statement’ were not reflected in the resolution.

He also complained the "isolation of the Turkish Cypriot People was not referred to adequately in (UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's) report, and was completely ignored in the resolution".

To promote its policy of two separate states, the Turkish side deliberately misinterprets the "constituent states" reference in the joint statement, said Stephanou.

Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou, called the resolution a "positive development", that comes at a "significant time because it sets out the correct parametres for discussions on the Cyprus problem".

Kyprianou also said the US stance encouraged a "negative approach" in the current procedure.

He hoped it was a one-off and that Washington remained firm in the fundamental principles for a solution to the Cyprus problem, as defined in resolution 1818 – which the US finally approved.

Security Council President, US Permanent Representative Zalmay Khalilzad, said resolution 1818, "comes at a time of renewed optimism on Cyprus and a very positive dialogue".

Entirety

He said the resolution "reaffirms all of the Security Council’s relevant resolutions on Cyprus and welcomes the May 23rd joint statement of the two leaders in its entirety".

The United States also welcomed the leadership of President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Talat in initiating a positive and constructive dialogue.

"We hope that this dialogue will result in full-fledged negotiations and a comprehensive and lasting settlement after so many years of division."

The UN chief wants the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to begin expeditiously fully-fledged negotiations towards a political settlement.

Opening a Ledra Street crossing was praised as helping "foster greater trust and interaction between the two communities" and underlining the importance of continued Green Line crossings.

President Christofias and Talat plan to meet later this month to view progress made at the committee stage.

Ban has praised the commitment shown by the leaders of both communities to reach a Cyprus solution.

He believes a "window of opportunity" has opened to finally resolve the island's division.

He urged both sides to build on the present momentum and continue using the current preparatory period to identify areas of convergence as well as disagreement.

"The planned meeting between the leaders in the second half of June may prove to be pivotal. I am firmly committed to helping them move forward to the formal talks as expeditiously and smoothly as possible," said Ban.

UNFICYP comprises 853 troops and 69 civilian police, from more than ten contributing countries. Maintaining a peacekeeping force on Cyprus cost $54.9 m annually.

Established in March 1964, UNFICYP is the longest-running UN peacekeeping mission with troops on the ground. More than 150,000 blue berets have served on the island.

nicosia

[DT.]

We're celebrating cause we stopped the Americans from saying something that Christofias said?

If he's so paranoid about the 2 constituent states statement being abused he should have never said it.

[paliometoxo]

Turkish Cypriot 'foreign minister' >>> Turgay <<< Avci reacted strongly to the Council decision.

nice name he has

[paliometoxo]

the turks will never get parition, i am intrested to see turkeys reaction to chrisofias meeting saying to remove half the troops for good will and for talat to not listen to turkey

[denizaksulu]

the turks will never get parition, i am intrested to see turkeys reaction to chrisofias meeting saying to remove half the troops for good will and for talat to not listen to turkey

Havent you noticed, its the GCs who are after partition now.

[joe]

We're celebrating cause we stopped the Americans from saying something that Christofias said?

If he's so paranoid about the 2 constituent states statement being abused he should have never said it.

My friend, the Cypriot Republic is happy with the resolution than i am happy with the resolution, period. As far as Christofias signing off on the 2 constituent states, well as he mentioned, he has a different understanding of what that means than what the Turkish Cypriots would like it to mean. That much is clearly mentioned in the article itself. At any event, i did not vote for Christofias but he is doing a splendid job as far as i can tell. All i am hearing from Talat in the press this past month are warnings, anger peppered with a dash of furious emotions. Whether it be Brussels, London, Paris, the UN, or Washington; i am hearing a tone coming from them that i have not heard in a long time and that tone is a tone of praise for this government. Set party bickering aside and take a look at the press. The Cypriot president is calling for Turkish army withdrawal and is telling Ankara to stop meddling in Turkish Cypriot affairs. Whats not to like?

[Sotos]

I remember Kifeas saying how wrong was Christofias to make that statement. I think Kifeas was right. We shouldn't give to them even half excuse because they will try to use it!

[Viewpoint]

We're celebrating cause we stopped the Americans from saying something that Christofias said?

If he's so paranoid about the 2 constituent states statement being abused he should have never said it.

My friend, the Cypriot Republic is happy with the resolution than i am happy with the resolution, period. As far as Christofias signing off on the 2 constituent states, well as he mentioned, he has a different understanding of what that means than what the Turkish Cypriots would like it to mean. That much is clearly mentioned in the article itself. At any event, i did not vote for Christofias but he is doing a splendid job as far as i can tell. All i am hearing from Talat in the press this past month are warnings, anger peppered with a dash of furious emotions. Whether it be Brussels, London, Paris, the UN, or Washington; i am hearing a tone coming from them that i have not heard in a long time and that tone is a tone of praise for this government. Set party bickering aside and take a look at the press. The Cypriot president is calling for Turkish army withdrawal and is telling Ankara to stop meddling in Turkish Cypriot affairs. Whats not to like?

And the end result is?

[DT.]

We're celebrating cause we stopped the Americans from saying something that Christofias said?

If he's so paranoid about the 2 constituent states statement being abused he should have never said it.

My friend, the Cypriot Republic is happy with the resolution than i am happy with the resolution, period. As far as Christofias signing off on the 2 constituent states, well as he mentioned, he has a different understanding of what that means than what the Turkish Cypriots would like it to mean. That much is clearly mentioned in the article itself. At any event, i did not vote for Christofias but he is doing a splendid job as far as i can tell. All i am hearing from Talat in the press this past month are warnings, anger peppered with a dash of furious emotions. Whether it be Brussels, London, Paris, the UN, or Washington; i am hearing a tone coming from them that i have not heard in a long time and that tone is a tone of praise for this government. Set party bickering aside and take a look at the press. The Cypriot president is calling for Turkish army withdrawal and is telling Ankara to stop meddling in Turkish Cypriot affairs. Whats not to like?

And the end result is?

The end result is that we live and work in the EU with our EUropean partners and you live in disneyland in a make believe country with a make believe leader.

The clock is against you my little grey wolf.

[Oracle]

I really think Christofias is rallying the EU support we need to present Turkey with a final withdrawal notice ... which will be backed by action if she refuses. And it's only months away.