A/32/PV.63 General Assembly

The statements made by most delegations clearly show that the situation in Cyprus continues to be a source of concern to all those in'~erested in the strengthening of peace, the consolidation and deepening of international detente and the expansion of equitable and mutually advantageous co-operation among States. The struggle for the future of Cyprus is being waged both on the island itself and internationally. 2. In the letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Mr. Gromyko, concerning the inclusion in the agenda of this session of the United Nations General Assembly of an item entitled "Deepening and consolidation of international detente and prevention of nuclear war", ~ pointed out, among other thmgs, that: "&"1 intricate and dangerous knot of tensions still remains in Cyprus" [see A/32/242J. The draft declara- tion on "Deepening and consolidation of international detente", introduced by the Soviet Union [ibid., annex 1J, points, inter alia. to the need "to facilitate the speedy settlement of conflict situations and to prevent the recur- rence of situations of this kind." My delegation therefore fully shares the view of those delegations that have pointed to the need for the earliest possible ~':ttlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of unconditional respect for tb,j independence, sovereignty and territorial i'1tegrity of the Republic of Cyprus, respect for its policy of non- alignment, the withdrawal from the territory of the island of all foreign troops and non-interference in the internal affairs of Cyprus, as stipulated in tla~ well-known resolu- tions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. 3. However, it must be noted that these clear and concrete requirements, approved by the overwhelming majority of the United Nations membership are not being fulfilled. 4. It is no secret that there are many difficulties on the road to the attainment of peace and justice in Cyprus, difficulties created by the incessant attempts at interference in the internal affairs of that independent State by imperialist forces. So far the disagreements oetween the NEW YORK representatives of the Greek and Turkish communities concerning various problems of an internal political settle- ment, disagreements which have been whipped up from outside, remain unresolved. It was not possible to resolve those disagreements at this year's meetings of the parties in Vienna and Nicosia. 5. Despite the relevant decisions of the United Nations there are still foreign troops and military bases on the island. We are convinced that a lasting settlement in Cyprus will not be possible until foreign troops are withdrawn from the island and all foreign military bases are dismantled. 6. In analysing the obstacles to an agreement between the two communities and to the establishment of a just peace in Cyprus, my delegation would draw attention to the efforts of certain imperialist circles to block the imple- mentation of United Nations decisions and impose on Cyprus a particular version ofa settlement which really has only one purpose-to consoHdate the southern flank of the North Atlantic block by doing away with the independence of the State of Cyprus and turning the island into an "unsinkable aircraft carrier", into a base of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATOJ. 7. My delegation continues to believ~ that the population of Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, should be given the right to resolve their fate themselves and to settle the affairs of their own State. A solution of domestic problems must not ~ -e imposed from outside. 8. We take a positive view of the efforts aimed at restoring the spirit of mutual trust and co-operation between the two communities 0, the island and consider that the search for a settlement should be carried out on the basis of unconditional respect for the independence, sovereignty, territ6rial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus. 9. Such an understanding was also stressed in the Politicai Declaration by the non-aligned countries adopted at the Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held in Colombo,1 and reaffL.?J11ed in the fmal communique of the ministerial meeting of the Co-ordinating Bureau of Non-Aligned Countries [..4/32/74, annex 1J held in New Delhi this year. The Declaration clearly stressed the need to seek a solution of the Cyprus problem in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations and on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of Cyprus. 10. The demands for an immediate, just ~,d democratic settlement of the Cyprus problem are now supported by 1 See document A/31/197, annex I. 11. Taking into account all the difficulties that stand in the way of a settlement of the Cyprus crisis, the proposal of the Soviet Union for the convening of an international confer~nce on Cyprus under United Nations auspices2 continues, it seems to us, to be pertinent. Such a representative forum of States, including Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, all members ofthe'Security Council and possibly a number of' other States, particularly from among the non-aligned, would,~ we believe, not only help to break the existing deadlock but, in the fmal analysis, would con- tribute to a just settlp,ment of the Cyprus problem. If such an international conference were to be convened it would be fully in accordance with the spirit, purposes and principles'of the United Nations Charter. It would unques- tionably also contribute to strengthening the pr~stige ofthe United Nations and its role in the maintenance of inter- national peace and security. 12. In conclusion, I should like to recall that at the twenty-fifth Congress ofthe Communist Party of the Soviet Union the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Comrade Leonid I. Brezhnev, said: "In Europe there still exists :mong other things an intricate and dangerous knot of tensions, the problem of Cyprus. We are convinced that reasonable regard for the interests and rights of both communities in Cyprus, with unconditional respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic :>f Cyprus and without attempts to impose on the Cypriots from outside decisions that are alien to them, will make it possible to settle that difficult problem for the benefit of peace, security and tranquillity in Europe."

As its representatives have said on many occasions in the various organs of this Organization and in other international forums, the People's Republic of Benin will never endorse policies of occupation, annexation and territorial expanilion. Similarly, we systematically reject all policies of fait accompli, policies which the inter- national community is often powerless to oppose. 14. The question of Cyprus, the colonialist policy of apartheid in southern Mrica, the occupation of Arab and Palestinian territories by the Zionists of Israel, and the • annexation of Timor and the Western Sahara make up the panorama of the tragic scandals of international imperial- ism. 15. It is precisely for that reason that the People's Republic of Benin is particularly concerned over all these 16. Since 1974 when the General Assembly and the Security Council frrst took up the question of Cyprus, we note that 18 resolutions have been adopted: 14 by the Security Council and 4 by the General Assembly. It would be useless to dwell on the contents of all those resolutions since we all know the pertinent provisions. 17. The unavoidable conclusion at which each of us must arrive today is that, despite their dynamic and realistic content, those resolutions have in no way altered the tragedy inflicted on the Cypriot people. 18.. That being the case, can we again this year, lightly and as usual, adopt new resolutions and take new decisions which, objectively speaking, will in no way alleviate ~he tragedy which the people of Cyprus, threatened WIth partition, are livin~ through? 19. Are the representatives of the imperialist Powers and their satellites once again this year going to shed their crocodile tears in the Assembly over the sad fate of the people ofCyprus? 20. My delegation denounces the confusion that has deliberately been maintained for three years over the question of Cyprus. " 21. My delegation also wishes to denounce those respon- sible at all levels for that serious and dangerous confusion. 22. My delegation wishes to denounce the complicity of all those who help to perpetuate that confusion over the tragedy being experienced by the people of Cyprus. That confusion is part of the strategy of "divide and rule" which is applied by international imperialism. 23. My delegation says that there is confusion over the question of Cyprus and we must now ask ourselves why, despite the 18 resolutions adopted by two organs of the United Nations that I have just mentioned and despite other actions taken by our Secretary-General, the inter- national community is still impotently witnessing the sufferings of the people of Cyprus? Yearly, from one fait accompli to another, we are movi9-g toward~ the pure and simple extinction of the non-aligned State of Cyprus. 24. But who are truly to blame for the Cypriot crisis? What is the true role of the Turkish leaders? What is the precise content of the intercommunal talks that are be~g held under the auspices of the Secretary-General? Why this constant marking time? Why this constant reopening of the question? Why are the ethnic differences between the Turkish and Greek communities of the island being constantly emphasized? !I!! ;~; < 26. When all is said and done, the basic root and cause of the Cypriot tragedy lies in the overt or covert greed of the imperialist Powers, which intend to seize the choice strategic position occupied by the non-aligned State of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean~ 27. EverYthing is marshalled for a take-over of Cyprus, which is the most appropriate place for imperialist bases to be set up for refuelling and supply in the Mediterranean. 28. A very carefully devised imperialist plan, in different stages, like the acts in a tragedy, is bem) carried out before our eyes in Cyprus. 29. The stage managers-the imperialist Powers of NATO and others-stand backstage and prompt their satellites, making sure that the acts and words are quite in keeping with their diabolical scenario and that nothing is forgotten or omitted. 30. The conscious or unconscious actors in this sinister and cynical drama are known to all of us. 31. The Turkish leaders and their henchmen are mere servants of this policy. All measures taken so far to violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus, and all the inhuman humiliations imposed on the people ofCyprus are so many stages already planned by the imperialist Powers to bring about the abandonment of the truly non-aligned policies followed thus far by the legitimate Government of Cyprus. If further proof were needed, we should fmd it in the latest measures adopted against Famagusta, that sealed town, which led to the convening of the Security Council, which adopted resolution 414 (1977) on the matter. The manoeuvres directed against the town of Famagusta are an illustration of the situation we have just described. 32. Is the international community to sit back with folded arms again until this entire plot is carried out to its tragic end? We know full well that there will be painful and dangerous repercussions on the peace and security of the region. 33. It is time for those who truly believe in peace a.nd justice in this Assembly seriously to become aware of the grave danger that the NATO imperialists are forcing on the world. 34. The imperialist policies of the Western Powers of NATO in that part of the world are very well known to all cfus. 35. After having set up the artificial State of the Zionist entity of Israel, a spring-board for aggression against the Arabs and Africans, the imperialists are now trying to strengthen their position in the region by taking over Cyprus and t~..us having another relay point from which to launch their aggression against the peoples of the Middle 37. My country, the People's Republic of Benin, cannot endorse any obstruction or condone the policy of annexa- tion which threatens the State of Cyprus. The People's Republic of -Benin is ready to make its own humble contribution to the search for a just solution which will allow the Cypriot people to regain their identity and their territory.

Today we may note with satisfaction that in recent years some important positive changes have taken place in the world. As has already been repeatedly stressed at the current session of the General Assembly, detente has become the main trend in inter- national relations. The principles ofpeaceful c4Jexistence as the only ones that are realistic and reasonable have become quite fmnly rooted in international affairs, and this is wholly in keeping with the vital interests ofall mankind. 39. At the same time, it must be noted with regret that in various parts of the world there continue to exist dangerous hotbeds of tension which represent a serious threat to the peace and security ofthe peoples. 40. Among the urgent international problems that a.wait an early solution is that of Cyprus. For some years now, Cyprus has been one of the "hotbeds" of our planet. This is a matter of grave alarm and concern to all those who are sincerely dlterested in the preservat~on of peace and the freedom of peoples. 41. Three years ago, in its resolution 3212 (XXIX), which was unanimously adopted on 1 November 1974, the Gen- eral Assembly laid down some most important provisions concerning the foundations of a settlement of the Cyprus problem. Among other things it called upon all States to respect the sovereignty, fudependence, territorial integrity and policy of non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus. That resolution, which reflected the will of the General Assembly, contained an urgent recommendation for the speedy withdrawal of all foreign armed forces and military personnel from Cyprus and an end to all foreign inter- vention in the affairs ofthat sovereign State. The resolution called for the return to their homes ofall refugees in safety and for the adoption of urgent measures to that end. 42. The provisions of that resolution were, as we know, endorsed by the Security Council and reaffirmed in the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at its thirtieth and thirty-frrst sessions. Thus a good basis was laid for a settlement of the problem of Cyprus. 43. Today, when our Organization is once again consider- ing the problem of Cyprus, we .are obliged to note that the aforementioned decisions of the General Assembly and the Security Council have still not been complied with. The situation in Cyprus continues to be tense; the"e are still foreign troops on the territory of that State; and one third 44. A number ef delegations have here expressed their serious concern at the continued attempts from outside to use the lack of progress towards a settlement of the Cyprus problem to impose on the people of Cyprus decisions that are not in keeping with their interests, to remove the question of Cyprus from the purvie\y of the United Nations and to resolve it within the narrow, closed circle of those countries belonging to the NATO military bloc. All of this is contrary to the vital interests of Cyprus as an indepen- dent, sovereign, territorially whole and non-aligned State. ~ 45. The unjustified delay in settling the question of Cyprus is fraught with serious dangers for the cause of peace in the sensitive area of the eastern Mediterranean. It is the firm conviction of my delegatioJ.l that the situation there still further underscores the importance and the topicality of the well-known proposal of the Spviet Union that a representative international conference on Cyprus should be convened within the framework of the United Nations. The holding of such a conference would con- tribute to a just settlement of the Cyprus question. _. 46. The Ukrainian SSR has always been in favour of an early settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of'the principles of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and respect for its policy of non-alignment and has always been in favour of a settlement of its internal problems that would pay due regard to the interests and.rights of the Greek and Turkish communities-of CYprus.· The withdrawal from Cyprus of foreign troops, the: dismantling of all foreign bases in the island, and an immediate end to all external interference and pressure are the most important prerequisites for a lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem. 47. My delegation considers the comprehensive imple- mentation of the well-known decl.,ions of the United Nations on the qu~stion pf Cyprus to be a matter of Ui-gency. It is the duty of.both the General Assembly and the Security Council to pres~for the implementation of its decisions, which have laid the international foundation for a p!'litical settlement and which expressed the nearly unanbnous will of the United Nations membership and of general world opinion. The implementation of those deci· sions would not only contnbute to a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem but would also eliminate a dangerous hotbed of tension in the eastern Mediterranean and help to strengthen international peace and security throughout the world. w 48. Mr. A!\1ERASINGHE (Sri Lanka): The question of . Cyprus has become one of those perennials on which resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council accumulate without any discernible progress being achieved. Neither the spate of oratory nor the power of rhetoric can sweep away the barriers that exist to a peaceful settlement. The major obstacles to that settlement are the mutual distrust prevailing berween the two communities and the presence of foreign forces on the territory of Cyprus. SO. General Assembly resolution 3212 (XXIX), which was endorsed by the SecurivJ Council in its resolution 365 (1974) of 13 December 1974, still provides the only solid basis for a peaceful se~1Iement. The essential ingre- dients of that resolution, which was initiated by the non-aligned movement, are that it calls for respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non- alignment of the Republic of Cyprus; it calls for the speedy withdrawal of all foreign armed forces and foreign military presence and persoilftel from Cyprus, and the cessation of all foreign interference in its affairs. It recognizes that the fmal constitutional settlement is a matter for determination between the two ,,:ornmUt"lities themselves. 51. What we cannot accept is any form of partition which would impair, if not destroy, the unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, and perpetuate suspicions and ani- mosities which have been exacerbated by the events of the last three years. 52. The Greek Cypriot community rejects such an arrange- ment. There is not a syllable in the four guidelines agreed upon by Archbishop Makarios and Mr. Denkta§~ .represent- ing the Turkish Cypriot community, which holds out the prospect ofsuch a partition. 53. Resolution 3212 (XXIX) also refers to the need for all refugees to return to their homes in safety. On the forms of a settlement we are all agreed-except those who support or encourag~ or tacitly acquiesce in a division of the country. We should not allow ourselves to be deceived by clever terrninology such as "a Turkish Cypriot federal wing of the Cyprus Republic". We consider it imperative that the territorial disparity which was created between the two communities through foreign armed intervention and which has resulted in the seizure by the Turkish Cypriots, who form less than 20 per cent of the population of the Republic of Cyprus, of about 36 per cent of the territory, should be redressed. As long as the disparity sustained by foreign forces is maintained there can be no just settlement. , - 54. In these circumstances the assurance of safety and security which each community seeks can come only from the United Nations presence there, that is, through UNFICYP, whose presence there provides the only hope for the success of negotiations between the two communities resulting in a peaceful settlement of their differences. 55. We see great merit in two proposals made yesterday [62nd meeting) by the representative of Guyana, who, I believe, spoke .on behalf of the Caribbean ccuntries. That representative proposed that a fact-finding mission should be dispatched by the Security Council to Cyprus. We consider that the despatch of such a fact-fmding mission to 56. The second proposal made by the representative of Guyana was that the Secretary-General be given an en- hanced role in the mtercommunal talks. If there is any person who can play a positive· role in those talks it is the Secretary-General, and he should not be there as merely a passive listener. 57. The intercommunal talks, in our opinion, cannot be indefmitely prolonged, as that would serve as a means of consolidating the present unsatisfactory situation. 58. I tum now to the draft resolution which is before the Assembly in document A/32/L.16, which has been spon- sored by a group of non-aligned countries, including Sri Lanka. 59. That draft resplution contains essent4ally what resolu- tion 3212 (XXIX) provides. It clearly and rightly expresses concern, as I have already done, at the lack of progress in the intercommunal talks. It expresses concern also at the prolongation of the Cyprus crisis, which endangers interna- tional peace and security. Those are facts which no one can refute. 60. It calls for the urgent and effective implementation of resolution 3212 (XXIX), which was not only unanimously adopted by the General Assembly but also endorsed by the Security Council; it reiterates its call upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus and to cease any form of interference in its internal affairs; it calls for the urgent resumption in a meaningful and constructive manner of the negotiations between the representatives of the two communities, to be conducted freely on an equal footing. I would add that those negotiations should be conducted in an atmosphere free from intimidation and duress, which is an atmosphere created solely by the presence of foreign tro~ps. 61. I must make special reference to operative paragraph 5 of the draft resolution, which "Recommends that the Security Council should keep the question of Cyprus under constant review and adopt all practical means to promote the effective implementa- tion of its relevant resolutions in all their aspects". We are aware that that paragraph has caused some difficulty for some of our Members. I do not see where the difficulty 70. The United Nations Charter has proclaimed as a lies. It is within the competence of the General Assembly to fundamental principle the renunciation ofthe use or threat make a recommendation to the Security Council in matters of force in inteITlational relations, and the necessity of of this nature. solving by peaceful means any disputes between States. Securing the independence, territorial integrity and the 62. The draft resolution very prudently refrains from right of every nation and people to live in peace is one of dictating to the Security Council how it should promote an the main objectives of the United Nations. The General effective implementation of its relevant resolutions. We are Assembly has examined the questions of Cypms during its asking the Security Council only to take all practical means last three sessions and has adopted a number ofresolutions to promote the effective implementation of its relevant stating the principles and the methods to be used in order resolutions "in all their aspects". We could not do less than to solve this question. It is significant, in our vie;.;, that in ..::~:~:.n~=~~O:~~~a~.~_.~,.. __::~e.:::~::: :,,:::~_~~bIY has re~ed 65. I cannot see how any rea:;onable person can argue that this paragraph" in its present fonn is an attempt at coercing the Security COlli'lcil into action. Everybody knows that a group which contains fIVe countries with the power ofveto cannot be coerced into doing anything; 66. It is our earnest hope that the intercommunal talks will be resumed in, I repeat, an atmosphere free from intimidation and duress, and that the means will be found for all foreign troops and foreign military personnel to withdraw from that country and leave the people of Cyprus free to determine their future among themselves. We consider it essential that, without any partition or division of the country into two zones, some gesture be made by the Government of Cyprus to grant a large measure oflocal autonomy to the Turkish Cypriot community, which will not, however, destroy the constitutional integrity and the unity of the country. 67. I trust that this draft res(,;lution will receive the full support it deserves, which is the support ofall except those who cannot face the realities of the situation and cannot admit the mistakes that have been committed in the past.

The question of Cyprus is a matter of concern to our Organization and to each Member State, since as long as it remains unsolved it could develop into an international conflict, as has alreadyhappened in the past, with serious implications for the peace and security of other States and peoples. 69. The lack of progress in solving the basic aspects of this que,stion and the maintenance of the state oftension in the area adversely affect the life of the Cypriot people and the relations between the countries involved in the conflict. The concern of the United Nations over the present situation in Cyprus stems from the wish of the Member States to ensure the observance of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter. The attainment of the United Nations goals requires the establishment and devel- opment of friendly relations in a spirit of peaceful co~xistence on the basis of full equility of rights and mutual advantage. 71. The General Assembly has rightly suggested that the basic aspects of the question of Cyprus should be solved by way of negotiations between the Greek and Turkish communities on the island. At the same time, the General Assembly has recognized that the constitutional system and the state organization of the Republic of Cyprus are issues to be settled in fu!l agreement by the two communities concerned. 72. The wish of the General Assembly, as expressed in the resolutions adopted SO far, is t~ see the intercommunal negotiations carried out on Bi1 eq.lal footing and in a spirit of mutual respect, with due conriaeration for the interests and legitimate rights ofeach community and of the Cypriot State and peQple as a whole. 73. It is also quite natural for the General Assembly to call upon the interested parties to refrain from any unilateral action liable to aggravate the situation and further delay a final solution of the conflict. In this requirement we see a norm of international law and a touchstone for measuring the good faith of the parties involved in the negotiations. Needless to say, only negotiations carried out in this spirit couldlead to equitable solutions for-both parties. 74. In our view, it is only too natural for the General Assembly to examine the way in which its resolutions on the question of Cyprus-and, above all, the unanimously adopted resolution 3212 (XXIX) of 1 November 1974- have been implemented. We feel that the parties directly involved and other interested States have the duty to do their utmost to further the implementation of the recom- mendations unanimously adopted by the most-representa- tive body ofthe world Organization. 75. During the three years which have elapsed since the adoption of resolution 3212 (XXIX), international public opinion has fonowed with keen interest the intercommunal negotiations and has greeted with satisfaction any positive development in the efforts aimed at solving the question of Cyprus. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, acting at the request of the General Asse .1bly and the Security Council, has spared no effort to have the parties seated around the negotiating table. Thanks to his persever- ing efforts, a high-level meeting took place (Uld a joint communique was issued, after which a new round of intercommunal talks was held in Vienna and Nicosia. Unfortunately, no significant progress has been made towards the elaboration of a solution to the problems di~cussed, and the negotiations have once more been interrupted, despite the detailed and concrete proposals set forth by the interested parties. However, we believe that the existing difficulties may be overcome if the wish really exists to reach generally acceptable solutions with due consideration for the fundamental rights and legitimate interests of the two communities. This requires, however, that the two parties tackle, in a new aHd constructive way, the pending problems with a high sense of responsibility for the peace of the people in the area and all over the world. 77. The fact that the two communities have lived together for centuries is proof that the existing controversies can be overcome. Moreover, the fact that these communities will have to live under the same roofin the future, too, renders still more imperative and urgent the need to reach a defmitive and endUring solution. 78. The Romanian delegation highly praises the efforts made by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to secure the implementation of this Organization's recom- mendations regarding Cyprus. We are convinced that these efforts should be continued and intensified in order to bring about the resumption of the negotiations between the representatives of the two communities. We take the view that it is the duty ofthe United Nations and of the Member States to contribute their slfare to the settlement of the question of Cyprus on the basis of the implementation of the relevant resolutions adopted. 79. In the light of these considerations, the Romanian delegation lends its support to the draft resolution pre- sented by the delegations of six non-aligned countries [A/32/L.16]. 80. Romania is still convinced that resolution 3212 (XXIX), unanimously adopted by the General As- sembly on 1 November 1974 and endorsed by the Security Council, provides for the principles and adequate' frame- work liable to J!romote a just and lasting settlement of the . question of Cyprus. 81. I should like to reaffmn, on this occasion too, the fmn belief of my country that the problem can be solved by political means, through negotiations between the two Cypriot communities based on the observance of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus in the interest of the peaceful coexistence of the two Cypriot communities and of improved relations be- tween all the countries of this area. 82. Romania, which maintains friendly, co-operative rela- tions with all the countries from this region, is deeply interested in seeing such a solution reached, and pledges its full contribution to the attainment of this goal.

I wish to point out at the outset that in the course of the current session, the positive trends in the world situation and the fUtther development of the process of detente have been warmly welcomed on numerous occasions from this rostrum. Regrettably, how- ever, the situation in Cyprus cannot be related to the positive facts exemplifying those trends; quite the contrary. The Cyprus problem will again show up in the dEbit column when we start striking the over-all political balance of the world situation, for it still remains unsettled and is indeed a dangerous source of international tension. ~. Particularly alarming Js the fact that for three years now, following the unanimous adoption by the General 85. In our view, the parties to the conflict should guide their actions on that basis. We submit that this is the only possible road that can lead to a comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem in the interests of the people of Cyprus: that is, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. 86. It is very unfortunate, however, that the situation on the ishmd still retains its explosive nature and constitutes a threat to peace in the area and to international peace and security. The unremitting and purposeful efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations notwithstanding- and those are efforts which we value highly-no progress on the way to settlement has been achieved. All crucial issues of a political and humanitarian nature remain unresolved. 87. At the same time, the talks between the two com- munities have failed to get past the procedural obstacles and overcome the existing gap between opposing stands. 88. A serious anxiety can be felt and seen in the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization, where he said: "I am deeply concerned at the trend towards a hardening of positions and at the instances of apparent failure to carry out fully undertakings and commitments freely assumed at the highest level in the course of the talks, a tendency which, if not reversed, may jeopardize the very concept of a negotiated settlement." [see A/32/1. sect. IlL] 89. To improve the international climate and to develop fruitful co·operation among States, these are the immutable political objectives which my country strives steadfastly to achieve through its entire foreign policy. We. are perfectly aware that their complete realization would not be pOSSible so long as there still exist cQnflicts in some regions of the world, and so long as local crises flare up which conceal a potential danger of spreading beyond the immediate area and thus assuming a wider international character. This genuine preoccupation underlies our interest in the speedy GIld durable solution of the Cyprus problem through peaceful means. Equally important is also the special interest of my country, which is manifested in its staunch 90. This is why we in Bulgaria sincerely wish our neighbours, Turkey and Greece, to live in peace and mutual understanding with one another and with the Republic of Cyprus. Our pur.suit of this noble goal was recently reiterated by Todor Zhivkov, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party and Chair- man of the Council of State of the People'3 Republic of Bulgaria, who stated in his address to t~le Sixty-Fourth Inter-Parliamentary Conference of the- Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Sofia from 21 to 30 September: "It is necessary to fmd a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of complete respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus". . . 91. It is our deep belief that, if the parties concerned will sit at the table for meaningful negotiations, they will be able to fmd a way out of the existing stalemate. 92. All internal problems of a political and of a humani- tarian character have to be left to the Cypriots them- selves-the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots-anf1 must be resolved by them through meaningful negotiations on the basis of constructive proposals without any foreign interference. 93. At the same time, we are convinced that the United Nations can and must play an important role in facilitating and encouraging the negotiations, and also in the compre- hensive solution of the substantive critical issues and, particularly, in providing the necessary political guarantees for the existence of the Republic of Cyprus as a free, sovereign, independent and non-aligned State. An interna- tional conference, as already proposed, could also play a positive role in promoting the peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem. 94. Guided by these fundamental considerations, my delegation is ready to lend its support to draft resolution A/32/L.16. 95. The People's Republic of Bulgaria is ready to support, as it has been doing, all efforts aimed at overcoming the difficulties in fmding a viable and lasting peaceful solution of the Cyprus problemwhich would correspond both to the interests of the people of Cyprus-the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots-as well as to the interests of peace and security in the whole region.

Once again this Assembly has before it the question'of Cyprus, which has received so much attention from the United Nations in the past. And once again it must be noted that progress towards a settlement on Cyprus has not met the hopes and expectations of this body. The Secretary-General has clearly and objectively described in his report [A/32/282] the past year's -developments in the intercom-. munal negotiations. Serious efforts were made to move th~._:_ talks forward, but these were unfortunately less successfuI- ..-. than we had hoped. 98. The international community has repeatedly demon- strated its wiIIin§i1ess to help the people of Cyprus achieve a settlement. The Secretary-General and his personsl representatives have exercised patience, persistence and skill in their efforts to advance the intercommunal talks. We regret very much that Ambassador Perez de CueIlar will shortly leave Cyprus to return to the diplomatic service of his own country. His absence will be greatly felt in the months ahead. 99. As this Assembly is no doubt aware, the United States has over the past months actively encouraged a resumption of intercommunal talks. We have, moreover, sought to ensure that, once these talks do reconvene, there will be a substantive -and meaningful discussion of each of t!lese major unresolved issues, It was with these aims in mind that President Carter met with President Kyprianou of Cyprus early in October and that the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Cyrus Vance, and Mr. Clark CIifford met recently with the Foreign Mi11isters of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. In addition, we have held substantive discussions with representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community. As a result of these consultations my Government is convinced that there is a sincere desire to move towards solutionofthe problems of the eastern Mediterranean, and we are particu- larly encouraged that a prompt resumption of Cyprus negotiations may soon be possible. 100. The draft resolutiol1 that we have before us is not one that my Government can support. It is not Cl document that points the way to a negotiated solution to the Cyprus problem. It exaggerates the threat to international security that the situation in Cyprus represents. It overemphasizes the role of the Security Council in the Cyprus matter at the present time. In general, it is not the ~d of balanced document that will foster an atmosphere of goodwill and co-operation between the two Cypriot communities, which is the prerequisite for a resumption of real negotiations that will lead to a settlement ofthis long-standing problem. 101. It is important for this debate to concentrate on the prospects that now exist for achieving progress in the • months ahead rather than to dwell on the problems that . have impeded progress to date. We are convinced that the difficulties that hav~ been encountered in the inter- communal negotiations can be overcome with the support, understanding and statesmanship of all parties concerned. 102. Mrh BALETA (Albania) (interpretation from French): . The problem of Cyprus continues to be one of grave concern, not only to the people of that country, but to all peoples which love peace and freedom. 104. The true friends of the'Cypriot people only wish that everything t':1at has happened in Cyprus throughout many years and all the suffering endured by the Cypriot people should have already been relegated to history. But unfor- tunately the people of Cyprus have not yet seen the end of the ills and misfortunes which have befallen them. The lack of progress towards a just and lasting solution of the problem of Cy.prus makes it impossible for us to feel the slightest satisfaction. On the contrary, the complicated situation which still persists in Cyprus and .the dangers inherent in it for the entire region surrounding that island increase our concern. 105. It is truly regrettable to note that no progress whatever has been made towards solving the Cyprus problem, that the people of that country are still suffering from the painful consequences ofthe grave events that have occurred so far and that they are still exposed to the new dangers which the undesirable developments in the situa- tion could entail for them, for the neighbouring peoples, and for peace and general security. 106. Thus it becomes increasingly obvious how necessary and urgent it is to fmd a just and lasting solution of the problem of Cyprus without delay and to carry out a useful study of the problem in the course of our debate. We believe that this study should concern above all the main causes and factors which are at the root of the present situation in Cyprus, the causes that hinder a just solution of the problem, the possibilities that exist and the road that must be followed in order to reach'such a solution. 107. The Cypriot people, who suffered for so long under colonial domination, have not been able since the proclama- tion of the independence of their country to e~joy the necessary tranquillity which would enable them to devote themselves entirely to working for the progress and well~beingoftheir country. The imperialist Powers have not wanted to relinquis}}..·any of their plans for Cyprus. They have resorted to all possible means of imposing their presence on the island and have employed every kind of manoeuvre to sow discord and to undermine the harmony and understanding among the Cypriots in order to serve their political and military interests. 108. Since the proclamation of independence of the sovereign State of Cyprus the imperialist Powers have tried to increase the domestic difficulties of the country, maintain an unstable situation there and use it as a pretext for intervening directly whenever they needed to defend their aggressive interests in the eastern Mediterranean. 109. The various enemies of the freedom and sovereignty . of the Cypriot people, and first and foremost the two imperialist super-Powers, the United States and the Soviet the situation, incite quartels, fan old hostilities and provoke new ones in Cyprus and in the surrounding area. 111. In the light of the events which have taken place in Cyprus, the situation created md the ~omplications that followed, in the light of the sufferings and privations undergone by very many Cypriots, it becomes daily more urgent to work for a just and lasting solution to the problem of Cyprus. Only a just and lasting solution based on Cypriot realities can meet the vital interests of the Cypriot people immediately and in the future as well. That people, which has so often fallen victim to the greed of the imperialist Powers, cannot allow its national rights to be any longer flouted or tolerate foreign interference in its domestic affairs. 112. The peoples which love freedom and peace, and particularly those of the eastem Mediterranean and the Balkans, are also deeply interested in a just and speedy solution of the problem of Cyprus, because the Cypriot crisis and the complications inherent in it constitute a real danger to peace and stability in that region. The greatest danger of the continuing crisis in Cyprus lies in the fact that it could be used by the two imperialist super-Powers and 'the aggressive blocs which they lead-NATO and the Warsaw Pact-to provoke new and more serious complica- tions in the region of the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans, to intensify pressures, blackmail and interference in the domestic affairs of the peoples of that region and even to unleash acts of aggression. This constitutes a serious threat to peace and general security. 113. It is for the Cypriot people, and them alone, to find a just and lasting solution of the problem of Cyprus and to settle their own affairs. Only the Cypriot people can and must settle their problems in the best possible way, no matter how complicated they may be. Therefore the Cypriot pP.ople must be left to act freely, of their own accord, in accordance with the national'"interests and fundamental rights of the two communities in the island. The establishment and strengthening of mutual under- standing, harmony and trust betwen the two communities is the only sure way of achieving a solution of the problem of Cyprus and of eliminating the compleXities created by the enemies of the freedom of the Cypriot people. 115. The United States and the Soviet Union behave as though they desire the solution of the Cyprus problem. In fact, they carry out proliferating diplomatic manoeuvres and plots to maintain the tense situation in the country. 116. The efforts of the two super-Powers, undertaken together or separately, to impose themselves as arbiters of the problem of Cyprus are no less dar",,'1rous because they are cloaked by certain international organizations or concealed by demagogic proposal5 for the convening of meetings or conferences with the participation of certain States or of many States. 117. The Government of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania has condemned and continues to condemn the aggressive policy of the imperialist Powers and their efforts to meddle in the domestic affairs of Cyprus and to keep Cyprus a source of tension and conflict. The Albanian Government strongly denounces the plans and intrigues of the imperialist super-Powers aimed at using the question of Cyprus to carry out their aggressive and expansionist designs in the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. 118. The Albanian Government holds frrmly and consis- tently to its unalterable position in favour of the existence of a free, independent and sovereign State of Cyprus. The national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Cypriot State must be respected. As the leader of the Albanian people, Comrade Enver Hoxha stressed: "Cyprus is an independent and sovereign State Member of the United Nations recognized by the majority of States of the world. It must so remain and no one has the right to attack it, no matter on what pretext, to interfere in its domestic affairs or to impose solutions which are not in accordance with the freely expressed will of the Cypriot people." 119. The Albanian people has feelings of friendship for the people of Cyprus and the two communities in the island. It hopes that the Cypriot people will as soon as possible put an end to the grave and dangerous situation in that country. We are convinced that the Cypriot people is able to decide its own future and to overcome all difficulties by opposing foreign interference in its domestic affairs and all efforts to incite hostility within that country.

So much ha,,; been said on the question ofCyprus that, in fact, it leaves little for me to say apart from a limited explanation of the position ofmy Government. 122. No solution can be found unless the legitimate concern of the Turkish minority is taken seriously into consideration. That community l;lndeniably suffered a great deal from a lack of understanding on the part ofthe Greek community: The Turkish community should be given an equal opportunity to participate in running the affairs of the Republic. 123. Equity, equality and tolerance are the watchwords for the future of the island and the resolution of the problem. No doubt the United Nations Force has helped to stabilize the situation and to prevent a confrontation between the two communities but, unfortunatelY, its presence has not promoted the chances for peace. Instead of providing incentives for the establishment of peace, the presence ofUnited Nations troops has provided comfort for the majority in the island and thus the United Nations presence has maintained the status quo existing before the intervention of Turkey, instead of assisting the two communities to come closer to each other. 124. My delegation has studied very carefully draft resolu- tion A/32/L.16. Kuwait supports the independe.::~ce, terri- torial integIity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus. Our understanding of operative paragraph 5, which recommends the Security Council to "adopt all practical means to promote the effective implementation of its relevant resolutions" is in line with the desire of the overwhelming majority of the General Assembly to see uninterrupted efforts exerted for the· promotion of harmony between the two com..tIlunities. Notning in that paragraph directJ~~ or implicitly indicates the invoking of measures contrary to the promotion of dialogue. The best foundation for peace in the island is the encouragement of talks between the two sides. The cause ofpeace will not be best SJrved by exacerbating the feelings of one side or the other. 125. The United Nations has a duty to foster compromise and .understanding on both sides. Kuwait is in agreement with the general thrust of the draft resolution under consideration, notwithstanding the language of operative paragraph S. In our understanding, that paragraph is a recommendation to the Security Council to encourage and foster negotiations between the two communities. We should not provoke the sensitivity of either side. It is with w this understanding and in this spirit that we shall vote positively on the draft resolution under consideration. It is only by talks and dialogue that the cause of peace will be promoted.

The agenda item which is currently before us is one which most nations in this Assembly are following with keen interest. The Cyprus situation, as seen by my delegation, is manifesting itself as a problem which eludes all efforts at a meaningful solution. 127. Being a member of the non-aligned group and of the Commonwealth, my Government agrees with the idea that the only viable solution will be found in the positions presented in the Political Declaration during the Fifth Conference of Heads of State of Government of Non- Aligned Countries in Colombo in 1976, and the position taken by the Heads of State during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in June, which falls into line with Security Council resolution 401 (1976), calling for the effective implementation of resolution 365 (1974)', which endorsed General Assembly resolution 3212 (XXIX) of 1974, together with Security Council resolution 367 (1975), which called for respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity in the non-aligned State of Cyprus. 128. My delegation is aware that, with the passage of those resolutions, there should be a cessation of all foreign militaly intervention in Cypms and the withdrawal of all foreign entities from within the borders of Cyprus. My delegation reaffirms its position on the safe return of all displaced persons and refugees to their homes, and stands by the recommendation that the Secretary-General should, without any restraint, freely conduct all contacts and negotiations between the two communities. . 129. Consequently, my delegation is of the opinion that any resumption of talks and negotiations should be freely conducted under the auspices of the Secretary-General, without foreign interference, and on the basis of compre- hensive and concrete proposals. Those talks should be conducted in accordance with the provisions laid down by the General Assembly and the Secretary-General. 130. My delegation would like to express to the Secretary- General our warm appreciation of the active role he has played in getting the two parties together. It is my delegation's belief that the Secretary-General can play an important role in fmding an over-all settlement of the Cyprus problem.

I shall now call on those represen- tatives wishing to exercise their right ofreply.

I do not propose to take up much of the time of the Assembly in refuting each and every one of the series of unfounded allegations, half-truths, misrepresentations and terminological inexacti- tudes by which Mr. Tiirkmen, the representative ofTurkey, attempted to blur the issue of his country's aggression and continued occupation of part of the Republic ofCyprus. 133. However, certain of the points he endeavoured to make call for a reply so as to dispel any misleading impressions and to set the record straight. 134. Mr. Tiirkmen resorted once again to the Ankara Government's recurrent propaganda to the effect that for "... the lack of movement of Turkish Cypriots outside of their areas is . . . believed to be dictated by a political purpose, namely, to reinforce the claim that the two main communities of Cyprus cannot live peacefully together in the island without some sort of geographical separa- tion."3 135. In another report the Secretary-General states: "The Turkish-Cypriot leaders have adhered to a rigid stand against any measures which might involve having members of the two communities live and work together, or which might place TUi"kish Cypriots in situations where they would have to acknowledge the authority of Government age~ts. Indeed, since the Turkish Cypriot leadership is committed to physical "nd geographical separation of the colnmunities as a IKiI..ICal goal, it is not likely to encourage activities by Turkish Cypriots which may be interpreted as demonstrating the merits of an alternative policy. The result has been a seemingly deliberate policy of self-segregation by the Turkish Cypriots".4 136. Mr. Tiirkmen has also alleged that the Turkish forces were sent to Cyprus in conformity with the Treaty of GuaranteeS of the status ofCyprus as an independent State and in order to stop enosis [union with Greece] and to remove the threat to the independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus. Yet that Treaty-assuming, for the purpose of the argument, its validity-clearly provides that the sole aim of the guarantee is the re-e3tablishment of the state of affairs created by the Treaty and such state of affairs is "maintenance of the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic ofCyprus ... as well as respect for its Constitution".6 Is this what the Turkish army has done? Today, after the restoration of the constitutional order on 23 July 1974 through the assump- tion of office under the Constitution by Mr. Clerides, and more than three years later, the Turkish forces are still in Cyprus, the territorial integrity and independence of Cyprus are being grossly violated and Turkey is syst~m­ atically promoting its partitionist plans in direct violation of the Treaty under which it claimed the right of intervention. 3 Ibid., Nineteenth Year, Supplement for Apri~ May and June 1964, document 5/5764, para. 113. 4 Ibid., Twentieth Year, Supplement for April, May and June 1965, document 5/6426, para. 106. 5 Signed at Nicosia on 16 August 1960. See United Natioos, Trury Series, vol. 382, (No. 5475), p. ~. 138. The Turkish representative woulg. have the Assembly believe that the Turkish Cypriot leadership is independent of Ankara and not subservient to it. It is sufficient to quote from the Economist of London, which no one can accuse of being an instrument of Cypriot propaganda. This quotation is, I believe, very pertinent to the issue: "The mainland Turks, who are now in charge of northern Cyprus, say frankly that the area is absorbed into, but not annexed by, Turkey. They claim that the rxperiment of letting the Turkish Cypriots run !heir own affairs has failed-a failure that was at least due to the fact that the Turkish Cypriots, clnerer and more efficient than the mainlanders, were never given a free hand. Be that as it may, the decision has been taken that from now on northern Cyprus is to be run openly and officially by mainlanders". 139. Mr. Tiirkmen has again seen fit to use an alleged statement attributed to the late President cif Cyprus regarding the expulsion from Cyprus of the Turkish Cypriot community. I regret that the AmbasSildor of Turkey has sunk so low. I wish to repeat what I categorically stated il"'1 the past, that that alleged statement.is a figment of th~ imagination and an outright lie. . 140. Mr. Tiirkme!l has attempted to deny his country's grave responsibility for the gross violations ofhuman rights in Cyprus, and he even used the word "hypocrisy". I will not" take up the Assembly's time by referring to all the fmdings and decisions of the various United Nations bodies such as the Commission on Human Rights, and most recently those of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 141. I shaU only quote from the editorial of The Sunday Times of London, which in its issue of 23 January 1977 published the repOrt - of the European Commission on Human Rights, whose imdings were arrived at after a thorough judicious investigation-and to that extent they constitute public knowledge. The editorial states: "The report is the work of the Human Rights Commis- sion of the Council of Europe. It is a horrendous indictment against Turkey and its soldiers and civilians sent from the mainland to the Turkish areas of Cyprus ... "The first thing to be clear about is that these wrongdoings are the work of the Turks from the main- "The Prime Minister can, of course, sustain this claim by producing counter-evidence for the period of the European Commission report. But there are other steps of immediate relevance to the people in northern Cyprus today. He should issue orders-and see they are obeyed- for the protection of human rights. And he should permit free access (denied even to Turkish Cypriots) to all parts ofnorthern Cyprus." I regret to say that Mr. Demirel has not yet is~ued those orders. The contents of that editorial and the fmdings of the European Commission of Human Rights prove where the hypocrisy lies. 142. The Turkish representative, in an obvious effort to deflect attention from the prime provisions of United Nations resolutions regarding the withdrawal of the army of occupation and the return of .the refugees to their homes, has been at great pains to allege that only through the intercommunal talks can the solution be found. We do not deny the importance of the talks, ahd in fact we have done everything possible for their success. 143. However, it may not escape the attention of this Assembly that the Turkish delegation stresses the impor- tance of the talks only on the eve of debates on the question ofCyprus in United Nations bodies and with equal regularity forgets the need for them at the conclusion of each debate, on one pretext or another. If Turkey is genuinely interested in the success of the talks, I ask Mr. Tiirkmen to say here and now that his Government is prepared to agree to the submission of concrete and comprehensive proposals on all aspects of the subject- ltl2tter under negotiation, as called for in Security Council resolution 414(1977) of 15 September 1977. I regret to say that the indications given in this regard by the Foreign Minister ofTurkey have been far from encouraging and that is the reason why the Secretary-General is not prepared to caU for another round ofnegotiations. 144. A heavy-footed attempt has been made by the Turkish representative to equate the 40,000 Turkish troops of occupation in Cyprus with the 90o-strong Greek contingent which has been stationed in the island under the - 1960 Treaty of Alliance,s to which Turkey is also a party, and the very small number of Greek officers serving under contract in the Cypriot National Guard. The two cannot be compared either in number or in functions; but in any case I wish solemnly and categorically to repeat that my Government's policy continues to be the complete demili- tarization of the Republic of Cyprus and the removal from 146. The essence ofthe Cyprus problem still remains clear for all to see: it is the military aggression ofTurkey against Cyprus and the gross violation of human rights by the Turkish military forces of occupation, which exercise absolute military and civilian control over the occupied area. 147. Those are the primary issuer.; to which this body must address itself and for which it must seek effective remedial action.

I should like to clarify a few points raised by Mr. Christophides. He said that the Turkish community's ordeal in the period before 1974 was the result of the segregation imposed by the 'rurkish authorities themselves. First of all, during that period there were no Turkish armed forces in Cyprus and there was no possibility of imposing arLy segregation upon the Turkish community. Secondly, the reports of the Secretary-General of the United Nations covering that period clearly empha- size in what respect the Turkish Cypriot community was discriminated against and under what conditions it was living during that period. I shall quote, for- example, a paragraph-from the Secretary-General's report of 15 June 1964 in which he said: "Turkish Cypriots, compelled for economic reasons to undertake journeys between the towns and outlying villages, are subjected to checks and searches by Greek Cypriot policemen and have little confidence as regards th . safi t "9 err. . . e y. In the same report, in the following paragraph, the Secretary-General pointed out that the fear and mistrust that followed the disappearance of the 32 Turkish Cypriot hostages after the incident in Famagusta on 11 May brought all Turkish Cypriots to request United Nations esc.orts in their movements. 149. In a report dated 10 September 1964, the Secretary- General stated: "On the other hand, the freedom of movement of Turkish Cypriots in the areas under the control of the [Greek Cypriot] Government has in practice been re- stricted by reason of excessive checks and searches and of many unnecessary obstructions put in their way by the Government police at check-points, as well as by the feeling of insecurity and the fear of arrest or abduc- tion."10 151. Of course, I could quote indefInitely from the reports ofthe Secretary-General from that period. 152. Mr. Christophides has also said that the Turkish forces were sent to the island with the officially accepted a!m of restoring the Constitution. He also said that the Treaty of Guarantee requires the Turkish forces to with- draw after constitutional order has been established. But constitutional order has not existed in the island since 1963. What happened in 1974 was only an aggravation of the unconstitutional situation in the island following the coup carried out by Greek junta, and, as Mr. Christophides knows very well, the events following the Turkish interven- tion have not given the opportunity for any qUick or automatic restoration ofconstitutional order. 11 Ibid•• Supplement for October. November and December 1964. document 8/6102, para. 35. 154. Now, ~r. Christophides has said that I have again raised the spectre of enosis and that the policy of enosis WilS not part ofthe legacy ofthe late Archbishop Makarios. Well~ I have one quotation from Archbishop Makarios here. This is what he said: cfI want something higher than being a temporary President of Cyprus. My am~ition is to connect my name with history as the architect ofenosis." 155. Mr. Christophides said that he saw a contradiction between my statement that the late Archbishop Makarios was following a policy of enosis and the fact that the coup carried out by the Greek military junta was designed to kill the Archbishop. I do not see any contradiction in that at all. It has always been the case"that the policy ofenosis was followed by some extremist politicians in Greet e in parallel with Makarios. And, of course, the great quarrel between them concerned the question to whose benefit the policy of enosis could be successfully carried out. Makarios wanted ~ enosis to enhance his glory, and the Greekjunta thought it could outsmart Makarios. That is the only explanation we can give.