A/31/PV.62 General Assembly

During the thirty-first session of the General Assembly it has more than once been pointed out with pleasure at this rostrum that there have been positive changes in regard to the lessening of international tension and the improvement of the international situation. There- fore it is all the more worrying that there remain dangerous sources of tension which threaten international peace and security. One of those sources of tension is the Cyprus crisis. 2. The Czechoslovak delegation considers that a just and lasting settlement of this acute problem would be in accordance with the urgent needto strengthen international peace and security and that in this regard our Organization must play the active role that is incumbent on it. 3. As has been stated in the general debate by the Czechoslovak Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Chiioupek: "We also fully support ajust solutionof the problem of Cyprus as called for by the United Nations resolutions on Cyprus, namely, on the basis of a reasonabie considera- tion of the interests and rights of both national com- munities and with complete respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and the policy of non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus."{19th meet- ing, para. 31.J 4. In order to arrive at a just settlement of the Cyprus question, all foreign interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Cyprus must cease, all foreign troops must be withdrawn from its territory and all military bases on the island must be eliminated. 5. Cyprus has always been the object of imperialist attempts at encroachment, linkedwith the question of who would have a decisive influence in that important strategic cross-roads which isso close to the majoroil reserves. Those encroachments and intrigues were manifest in the well- known events of July 1974,asa result of which Cyprus has NEW YORK .. been threatened with the loss of its independence and territorial integrity. The critical situation thus created on the island remains a dangerous hotbed of international tension. 6. It is altogether obvious today that behind these events are mfluenttal circles which have not abandoned their strategic plans to transform Cyprus into a base of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization {NATO] in that part of the eastern Mediterranean. Those circles consistently oppose a settlement of the Cyprus problem; they seek neither tranquillity for the island nor a peaceful solution to the crisis. 7. The delegation of Czechoslovakia shares the fears that have been voiced about the attempts to divide Cyprus and thereby destroy it as a single State. As a result of constant foreign interference over the past two years, normal life on the island has been disrupted, and 200,000 Cypriots have become refugees in their owncountry. 8. Unfortunately, the talks between the two communities have made no progress thus far, although we are still convinced that there is no contradiction between the basic interests of the two communities. 9. The Czechoslovak delegation once again reiterates, at this thirty-first session of the General Assembly, that we fully support the Government of Cyprus and favour a just solution of the problem of Cyprus on the basis of respect for the principles of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, without any foreign interference in its internal affairs. The problems besetting Cyprus must be solved with due attention to the interests and rights of the two national communities in the island, on the basis of scrupulous respect for the policy of non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus, the early withdrawal of foreign troops and all military personnel from the territory of Cyprus and the return of the refugees to their homes. Those are the principles which have inspired the resolutions adopted by our Organization. We therefore continue to believe that the basic for a settlement of the Cyprus crisis is to be found in Security Council resolution 365(lS74), and General Assembly resolutions 3212(XXIX) and 3395(XXX), which, despite the support of the overwhelming maje,rity of Member States of our Organization, have not beenimplemented. 10. We stand firmly against the attempts of those who would settle the Cyprus crisis behind the backs of the Cypriot people in order to serve the selfish interests of a certain group of Statesin the NATO military bloc. 11. In this regard, the Czechoslovak delegation once again declares its conviction that the Soviet proposal of 12. Czechoslovakia considers that the United Nations should play an active role in the search for a just and lasting "settlement in Cyprus. The Organization must spare no effort to find ways and means to implement the relevant General Assembly and Security Council decisions on the Cyprus question. Tliat would genuinely help the Cypriot people in its struggle for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus. The delegation of Czecho- slovakia, as in the past, is prepared to do everything it can to attain this objective, in the interests of international peace and security.

We continue to be faced with the grave problem that arose as a result of the outbreak of the Cyprus crisis in 1974. The preservation of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus, a State Member of the United Nations, is still in jeopardy. We believe, therefore, that the international community is quite rightly concerned over the dangerous situation in Cyprus, which makes it imperative for the United Nations to deal with that question continuously with a view to helping to find a just and lasting solution. 14. Just as at the thirtieth session of the General Assembly last year, we are again confronted with the problem of non-implementation of the decisions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council with regard to this question. We should recall that, last year, the General Assembly adopted resolution 3395 (XXX) calling for the resumption of negotiations between the two Cypriot communities on the basis of the principles embodied in resolution 3212 (XXIX). We adopted this resolution not only because we believed that the basis and framework laid down in that resolution were realistic, well-balanced and such as to protect the essential interests of both Cypriot communities in an equal manner but also because the principles embodied in resolution 3212 (XXIX) were unani- mously endorsed by the Security Council. As a matter of fact, this is the only common platform that has been accepted by all the parties concerned. The situation prevailing in Cyprus is such that the implementation of these decisions continues to be an immediate task, for the fulfilment of which maximum efforts should be exerted by all of us. 15. Meaningful negotiations between the two Cypriot communities were interrupted almost a year ago. In spite of the great personal efforts of the United Nations Secretary- General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim-for which I should like to give him due credit on this occasion also-to ensure the continuation of negotiations, it has not been possible to achieve this owing to well-known resistance and obstacles. Consequently, the expected and desired results have not been achieved. On the contrary, as a result of the 16. The conditions prevailing today in the island clearly show how deep the differences are between the approaches of the two parties directly concerned with regard to the basic issues that have brought about the crisis. We are conscious that it will not be possible to find a just solution without overcoming those differences. Therefore, in our opinion it is unacceptable to insist on those differences alone, as is being done by various extremist elements, since this is not likely to contribute to the creation of a favourable atmosphere for meaningful and constructive negotiations. The fostering of hatred, the insistence on distrust, and threats to undertake further unilateral action with regard to issues that have to be settled through negotiations between the two communities are certainly not conducive to peace and reconciliation. 17. The failure to implement even the limited under- standing reached during the negotiations conducted be- tween the two communities so far leads to a further deepening of distrust, rendering even more complex the conditions in which the negotiations should be continued. Unfortunately, all this shows that, in spite of the political readiness declared by both sides to preserve the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus, no concrete and real results have been achieved in this regard. 18. When examining the problems created by the Cyprus crisis, we must bear in mind that the questions involved are extremely delicate and that they affect the vital interests of both Cypriot communities. However, they are, at the same time, directly linked with the questions of international peace and security. Therefore, the maintenance of a considerable part of the territory of Cyprus under foreign occupation and the presence of foreign military forces seriously aggravate an already tense situation in the area of the eastern Mediterranean. We should not lose sight of the fact of the close geographic connexlon between the crisis in Cyprus and the crisis in the Middle East, nor of the unforeseeable dangers that a transformation of this hotbed of crisis into an armed conflict would pose for international peace and security. 19. Having precisely in mind the existing unfavourable development of the situation in Cyprus and the need to overcome it rapidly, the Heads of State or Government of non-aligned countries devoted great attention to this question at the Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held in Colombo. They expressed concern at the deterioration of the situa- tion, gave their full support to the decisions of the United Nations on ways and means to solve this question and called for the urgent implementation of the United Nations resolutions. The Heads of State or Government of non- aligned countries called, on that occasion, on all States to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus.' This is, as we are all aware, the main and basic demand embodied in 20. It seems to us that a realistic solution can be based only on the following foundations: the safeguarding of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and non- alignment of the Republic of Cyprus; the continuation of meaningful and constructive negotiations between the two communities on an equal footing for the purpose of achieving a mutually acceptable solution; the withdrawal of all foreign troops and the removal of any other foreign military presence from the Republic of Cyprus; the adoption of measures for the just and safe solution of the problem of refugees; and, above all, the refraining from undertaking any unilateral measures designed to present the other side with a fait accompli. 21. I wish to reiterate that my country is deeply in. :ested in an early and just resolution of the Cyprus crisis. This interest is also founded on our traditional friendship with the peoples and Government of Cyprus, with which we are linked by common aspirations and by our involvement in the non-aligned movement. But it is also based on our lasting interest in seeing eliminated the dangers that a prolongation of the crisis could pose for international peace and security. Proceeding from this and also bearingin mind our ties of friendship with Greece and Turkey, Yugoslavia has been exerting from the very outset maximum efforts in a search for a peaceful solution. In this connexion we have always been guided by the conviction that the contradic- tions that have brought about the crisis can be overcome in a just and lasting manner only by recognizing the equality of the two Cypriot communities and rejecting all attempts at imposing the will of one side on the other, regardless of which side may find itself at the moment in a better negotiating position and regardless of the numerical strength of the two communities. 22. In this respect we have, of course, proceeded from our own historical experience in solving problems inherent in relations among peoples living in the same State. My delegation's activities in the group of five non-aligned countries and at gatherings of the non-aligned have also been based on such an approach. We shall continue to exert efforts along these lines. 23. We believe that the Security Council should examine once more the situation in Cyprus and that, in the light of the circumstances in which the Cyprus crisis is evolving and taking into account all its elements, it should set in motion machinery for negotiations between the two Cypriot communities under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. In our opinion, the Security Council could address a demand to the parties to the conflict to implement fully the principles embodied in resolution 3212 (XXIX). In this respect, the establishment of an appropriate and agreed time-table could prove to be very useful.

Since 1954, when the ques- tion of Cyprus was for the first time brought before the United Nations, the Cyprus file in our Organization has grown very considerably. Unfortunately, it has diminished neither since the island's independence in 1960 nor since the tragic developments of the summer of 1974. In the past two years alone the Security Council and the General 1 Assembly have passed as many as 16 resolutions on Cyprus, and yet the problem remains unsolved, 26. Today the world can see even more clearly than ever that the long-persisting situation in and around Cyprus is the legacy of a lasting collusion of forces of colonialism, reaction, military adventurism and non-respect for the Charter of the United Nations. The prolonged stalemate with regard to Cyprus derives also from a lack of political will on the part of some of the parties involved and their supporters, who are interested in upholding their policy of faits accomplis and radically changing the character of that integrated and non-aligned Republic. It is not the differ- ences of language, culture and religion in the population of Cyprus that lie at the root of the problem, as some would like to suggest. The international community is aware of a number of positive examples of the harmonious and friendly coexistence of very diversified groups, commu- nities and peoples within the framework of one political entity. The real cause of the Cyprus tragedy originates outside the island. It consists of attempts by aggressive forces from the outside to destroy the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and to transform it into their own convenientlylocated base in the eastern Mediterranean. The policy of non-alignment con- sistently pursued by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus has in fact been a major obstacle to the attainment of that objective. 27. Those are the overriding reasons for which the question of Cyprus should be viewed in its present dimensions not only as an internal problem concerning the two communities but also as a serious international issue and a source of tension in that part of the world, posinga threat to international peace. 28. It was precisely such considerations that guided the Fifth Conference of Heads of State UT Government of Non-Aligned Countries in Colombo to include demands vis-a-vis the question of Cyprus in its important Political Declaration fA /31/197, annex IJ, which we fully agree with and subscribe to. 29. Poland's position on the question of Cyprus has been clear from the very outset and has been reiterated on more than one occasion at this very rostrum. First and foremost, we continue to be firmly in favour of the immediate implementation of the relevant United Nations decisions and resolutions on this matter. We are happy to note that our position is shared by many countries. As a socialist 30. Indeed, it is only on such bases that the question of Cyprus can be justly and finally settled. Such a settlement would contribute greatly to strengthening of international peace, reducing tensions in that part of the world and consolidating the positive trends in international relations. 31. In terms of practical developments and action to be taken, my delegation conceives of the solution to the problem as a two-way endeavour. On the domestic plane, the problem must be tackled by the two communities concerned. Hence the significance and indispensability of achieving progress in the intercommunal talks. On the external front, the question at issue must be brought to a representative forum of States, such as, for example, the one proposed earlier by the Soviet Union, for consideration at an international conference convened under the aegis of the United Nations. 32. In the latter context, the Polish delegation highly commends the tireless efforts of our Secretary-General, Mr. Waldheim, who has engaged his personal abilities, perseverance and tact in the fulfilment of the taskentrusted to him by the Security Council. Owing to the fact that not all the parties concerned have shown enough political goodwill and co-operation so far, his efforts have not proved successful. In hisreports of 5 June 19762 and of 30 October 19763 he clearly points out that the mission of good offices entrusted to him'by the Security Council has arrived at a deadlock. Paragraph 13 of the latter report reads: "The current procedural deadlock reflects the political difficulties of the interlocutors. These have not been relieved by the passage of time and can, I am convinced, only be overcome with the support, understanding and statesmanship of all the parties concerned." 34. The world community cannot and should not allow the question of Cyprus to become yet another recurrent item on the agenda of consecutive sessions of the General Assembly. There now exist all the conditions to utilize the present favourable atmosphere in relations among States, for which we have worked so painstakingly, to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. We strongly believe that where there is a will there is a way. We are therefore ready to vote in favour of a draft resolution that will inspire the will and show the real way.

Canada joined the great majority of Member States in supporting the resolutions on the question of Cyprus adopted by the General Assembly in 1974 and 1975. We have also supported the mandate of the Secretary-General to provide his good offices to the two communities in Cyprus. We have contributed to and supported the work of the United Nations High Commis- sioner for Refugees on the island. But, apart from the central concern of peace and security in the region, the principal focus of our direct interest in the situation in Cyprus has been the presence on the island for the past 12 years of Canadian soldiers as part of the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus. During that period over 18,000 Canadians have served in Cyprus. We are proud of the contribution that those men have made, along with their comrades from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Den- mark, Finland, Austria, Ireland and Australia. Service to the United Nations in the capacity of peace-keepers hasbecome a significant role for the Canadian armed forces, one to which we attach.great importance and which we formally reaffirmed in 1975. In this context, I am sure that the troop-contributing States which I have just mentioned would join us in reiterating the call, expressed in para- graph 9 of General Assembly resolution 3395 (XXX), for all parties to the dispute in "::yprus to co-operate fully with the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus. 36. My Government has never concealed its reservations about certain aspects of the United Nations role in Cyprus Canadian representatives on the Security Council in 1967 and 1968 emphasized the need to arrive at a situation in which the Force was no longer required; and in the meantime they have called for a larger number of voluntary financial contributions. Despite the continued effortsof the Secretary-General and of the Security Council, SC04nt progress has been made towards those goals in the last 10 years. Indeed, one cannot but wonder whether in the past two years the prospects of an equitable political settlement may not have declined. The mandate of the Force has become increasingly difficult to reconcile with the situation on the ground, and its finances have remained precarious. As at July, only 16 Member States had contributed to the financing of the Force in 1976 -~ and that does not include three permanent members of the Security Council. 38. The situation in Cyprus should be of direct and substantial concern to the international community as a whole. It was because of this that the Secretary of State for External Affairs of Canada noted in his address to the Assembly on 29 September of this year19th meeting] that it is important that Member States give tangible and effective expression to their concern by providing an adequate level of financial support to the Force, which is carrying out an important role on the island. We are continually assured that there is little prospect of more than temporary peace without the continued presence of that peace-keeping Force, In this it is important to recall Canada's flrm stand over the years that peace-keeping can be but a step it is true, a significant step-en route to peace-making. 39. Our involvement in Cyprus stems primarily from our membership in the United Nations and our readiness to assist the Organization to maintain peace and security. It also stems from a concern for the national integrity of a fellow member of the Commonwealth and at the harsh fate that has befallen countless individual Cypriots. In this connexlon, further attention still needs to be focused on the mutter of individuals who have been unaccounted for since the'conflict of 1974; the families of those individuals have already experienced Immeasurable grief and that should not be allowed to continue, This matter was considered lust year in General Assembly resolution 3395 (XXX), and yet the situation persists, and we must once again urge that the tracing of and accounting for missing pOr80;\S be conducted as effectively as possible on an urgent basis. 40. In concluding, wc cannot help but underline our justifiable concern, shared by several Member States, that the past year has witnessed not only a lack of progress in Cyprus but indeed a gradual process of entrenchment of positions. Wc view with grave concern and apprehension what this may mean for prospects for a negotiated solution. Resolutions 3212 (XXIX) and 3395 (XXX) remain unimple- mented, It is an understatement to say that we are not disappointed at this. Nunc the less, we remain convinced that those resolulions continue to be appropriate. We also continue to support the essential proposition they reflect, namely, that an effective, fail' and enduring settlementcan best be achieved by negotiations between the two commu- nities directly concerned. This Organization must stand ready to cucouruge and to assist the process where it can. The parties to the dispute, tor their part, must bc prepared "... to bring about a resumption of meaningful negotia- tions and to assist the parties in making the urgently required progress towards a settlement' of the Cyprus problem.t's

The region of the eastern Mediterranean regrettably continues to be filled with tension as the years pass. We are still deeply concerned, particularly over the situation in Cyprus, 42. We firmly believed in, and gave our support to, the earlier encouraging resolutions of the General Assembly as well as to the efforts manifested in the respective resolu- tions of the Security Council on the question of Cyprus. But, despite the dedicated aspirations of the United Nations, no progress towards a just and lasting settlement takinp" into account the legitimate interestsof the people of Cyprus can be noted since our last debate in the Assembly on tltisquestion. 43. My delegation hasconsistently spoken in favour of the framework of a solution that is soundly and constructively reflected in the resolutions of the last two sessions of this body. We continue to do so in thls spirit during the current deliberations on this issue. 44. We followed with keen and, at the same time, unselfish interest the statements recently made by the parties directly involved in the course of the general debate in the General Assembly. At some points wc were greatly encouraged by their approach, aimed at giving fresh impetus to the disrupted intercommunal talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriotcommunities. However, I cannot fail to emphasize and reaffirm to representatives our strong belief that signs of apathy and the shifting of emphasis to secondary, procedural questions will not in any way help the cause of the long-suffering Cypriot people. 45. In our humble judgement, the gaps are wide ~.. though far from impossible to bridge - between the positions of the interested parties, and we trust that t~le relevant part of the Political Declaration adopted by th/; Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Coun- tries, held in Colombo last August, shows us the right direction when it states: "In urging the immediate implementation of United Nations resolutions, the Conference called upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independence I territorial integrity and non-alignment of Cyprus; demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of foreign armed forces and other foreign military presence from Cyprus; and called for the initiation of urgent measures to ensure the safe return of all refugees to their homes. The Conference supported the continuation of meaningful and constructive negotiations between the representatives 4 Ibid., para. 13, 46. The Republic of Cyprus, a founding member of the non-aligned movement, enjoys the full support of my country, and we believe that the well-founded decision taken by the Conference of non-aligned countries deserves to be respected and followed. 47. In this respect, w~ should like to remind the General Assembly of the consistent attention paid by the socialist countries to the solution of the problem of Cyprus. We feel that the reasonable proposals put forward over the years by the socialist countries in this regard continue to be valid and worth recalling. 48. The position of the Government of the Hungarian People's Republic on the question of Cyprus is well known and is based on principles. May I, nevertheless, reiterate some of these points. We consider it essential strictly to respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integ- rity of the Republic of Cyprus. It is our firm view that no outside Powermay imposeany solution on matters that fall solely within the jurisdiction and decision of the Govern- ment and people of Cyprus. We continue to support the non-aligned status of Cyprus. We continue to believe strongly that the current ~nternational situation definitely favours, in the long run. a j1. ...."d lastingsettlement of the question of Cyprus. We resolut,1.J and vigorously oppose any strategic arrangements urged by NATO and hold that the solution of the problem faced by Cyprus must be left to the two communities of the island alone. We are looking forward to the valuable and dedicated efforts of the Secretary-General of our Organization with a view to the renewal of a constructive dialogue between the Greek and Turkish communities. We expect them to act in a respon- sible way, in mutual respect, and in pursuit of an -ommodattcn, for this seems to be the only way of I:i!eaking the deadlock. 49. May I conclude by recalling the relevant part of the statement of the Hungarian Foreign Minister in the general debate this year: "My Government invariably supports .. , the indepen- dence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprusand eliminating all kinds of foreign intervention.. We maintain that the internal problems of the islandcountry are for the Cypriots alone to.solve, taking account of the interests of the Greek and Turkish communities." [16th meeting, para. 91.} 50. It is within this policy framework that we expect the General Assembly to act in adopting a resolution on the question of Cyprus, which will then have our full support once again.

The question of Cyprus is an extremely complex political issue with external ramifications. At the same time, it is a unique problem concerning human relations between two ethnic communities oomprising one nation-State. Those two com- munities have had a chequered history in their relations 53. Much as we regret the circumstances in which this situation has been brought about, we cannot but stress the importance and necessity of the two communitiesresuming negotiations at a very early date.,The basis for a solution of the Cyprus question has already been established by consensus in General Assembly resolution 3212 (XXIX). That resolution called for respect for the sovereignty, independenceand territorial integrity of Cyprus, on the one hand, and for withdrawal of all foreign forces, on the other. Those two principles constitute the basis for the mainte- nance of international peace and security in Cyprus. 54. What is particularly encouraging is that both com- munities have declared that Cyprus should continue to be non-aligned. It is also heartening to know that, despite the lack of progress in bilateral negotiations, both communities are convinced that there is no practical peaceful alternative to the resumption of intercommunal negotiations. 55. My delegation feels that it would be quite futile to apportion blame or to evaluate the results of the talks that have so far taken place. We hold the view that it is imperative to persist in the process of bilateral negotiations. It is, of course, not easy to reverse the history of the past 12 years or to erase the sad memories of recent events. More time and patience are needed, and we wouldstrongly urge the two communities to redouble their efforts to resume their dialogue. 56. The complexity of the problems to be solved and the fact that they are interrelated indicate that further negotia- tions in good faith and with goodwill will be necessary before a package-deal acceptable to both can emerge. Questions concerning security, the return of refugees to their homes, the demarcation of the zones of the two communities and the shape of a new constitution are all matters which are controversial and will require further negotiation before a consensus can be reached. 57. There are two aspects of the Cyprus question, of which one is external and the other internal. Unfortunately, these two aspects are interlinked for historical reasons. Our principal concern, therefore, is to determine the point from which a beginning should be made towards a negotiated solution. In our view, it would be logical to begin by getting the intercommunal talks going again within the framework of General Assembly resolution 3212 (XXIX). 58. The General Assembly .and the Security Council should take appropriate measares,and 10, indeed, should all 59. It is plain to us that the question of Cyprus has to be resolved freely and exclusively by its inhabitants through negotiations. There can be no imposed settlement from outside. The non-aligned group of nations have a soecial stake in the future of Cyprus as a stable and prosperous 60. In conclusion, my delegation wishes to congratulate the Secretary-General for his persistent efforts to bring the parties together and also to place on record our apprecia- tion of the excellent work done by the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus. The meeting rose at 11.55 a.m.