S/PV.2279 Security Council

First of all, I should like to thank you sincerely, Mr. President, in the name of the Chinese delegation, for the words of condolence you expressed on behalf of the Security Council on the death of Madame Soong Chingling, the Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China and Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Madame Soong devoted herself to the cause of liberation of the Chinese nation and people alongside the great revolutionary Mr. Sun Yat&n and was one of the founders of the Peooie’s Rebubiic of China. ihe &de outstanding contiributions’ to the Chinese people’s cause of revolution and nation building as well as to the development of friendship among peoples of various countries and the defence of world peace. Her death is a great loss to the people of China. 6. The Chinese delegation will transmit the ex ressions of condolence made at this meeting to the Ch P nose Government and people and to the family of Madame sow. Expreubn ef tbankn te the retwIg Praident 7. The PRESIDENT UnterDntation from Spanish): Before proceeding wltb the 6uurineu f& thir ineetin& I should like. on behaif of the members of the Councli. to pay a tribute to Mr. Masahiro Nisibori, represeni tative of Japan, whose efforts as President of the Council we &I highly appreciated. The presidency of Mr. Nisibori was a model of efficiency that would be difficult to equal. He resolved all the problems which arose during the monih of May without a single dispute. He earned greater personal prestige for himself as a diplomat and for his country as a great, stable and independent nation. Adoption of the agenda The agenda lvas ctdopted. 8, The PRESIDENT firtrc~ri~rcJttrr/l~,1 from Spdsit): I wish to inform members of the Security Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the agenda. In accordance with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. At the irwilcrlior~ of the Presiderrt, Mr. Muvrommds (Cyprrrs), Mr. Ka/trpo& (Greece) und Mr. Klrcu f Turkey) took places (11 tire Cowrcii tub/e.

I wish to recall that in the course of consultations members of the Council agreed that the Council would extend an invitation to Mr. Nail Atalay under rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of Procedure. If I hear no object&, I shall take it thai the Council decides to invite Mr. Atalay under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, IO. The PRESIDENT fhrerpretarion from Spanish): At the appropriate time, I shall request Mr. Ataiay to take a place at the Council table in order to make his statement. I I. The Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them the reoort of the Secretarv-General on the United Nations &ration in Cyprus for the period I December 1960 to 27 May 1981. Members of the Council also have before them the text of ad& nsolution contained in document S/ilJOO, which was prepared on the basis of consultations carried out by the President. 12. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution which is before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote. 13. The PRESIDENT fi,rfc~rpr’c/a/io,l fr.orlr Spunk/~): I now call 011 the Secretary-General, who wishes to make a statement. IS. As provided in the resolution, the United Nations Peace-keeuinr! Force in Cyorus (UNFICYP) will continue iorthe next six Months to discharge its important responsibilities along the cease&e lines and in the area between the lines, as well as humanitarian functions. I am satisfied that, despite the recent reduction in the strength ofthe Force by 1 IO men, UNFICYP remains in a position fully to carry out its task. 16. The resolution also requests me to continue my mission of good offices. From my report of 27 May 1981, the members of the Council are aware that that task is being actively pursued. The intercommunal talks are scheduled t& enter a more active phase at the beginning of July, and the parties have given me reason to believe that they are prepared to make a serious effort in the direction of a comprehensive settlement. This will involve the interconnected consideration of the territorial and constitutional aspects. My Special Representative, Mr. Gobbi, has spent the past week at Headquarters here in New York for consultations with me and my collaborators about ways and means of extending &sistance to the parties &ring the forthcoming phase of the talks. I myself have maintained direct personal contact at appropriate levels with ail concerned with a view to facilitating the negotiations. 17. I also wish to mention the significant step forward that was taken on 22 April, when Mr, Gobbi announced, on my behalf, that agreement had been reached on the terms of reference for setting up the Committee on Missing Persons. I shall shortly appoint Mr. Claude Pilioud, an oMciai selected for that purpose by the International Committee of the Red Cross with the agreement of both sides, as the third member of the Committee. 1 expect that the Committee will begin its work without delay, and that it will achieve the long overdue solution of this humanitarian problem. 18. In conclusion. I should like once aaain to ex~rcss my appreciation to my Special tieprescntptive, Mr. Gobbi. to the Force Commander. Maior-General Greindl, and to the officers and men of-UNFICYP and its civilian staff. I also wish to thank once again the troop-contributing Governments which are carrying the burden of providing the contingents of UNFICYP, as well as the financial contributors, for their support of this important peace-keeping operation.

I thank the Secretary-General for his statement. The first speaker is the representative of Cyprus, on whom I now call.

Mr, President, I should like at the outset, through you and through the representatives of China, Ecuador and Bangladesh, 27. The SIX months that have since elapsed have Indeed proved that statement to be quite correct, but WC havo almost exhausted the greatest part of that patience and good will in order to live with the lack of any tangible result from that process. For, in a nutshell, it could be said that the talks aro still alive, but that they have as yet produced no results whatsoever: oven more significant is the fact that nine months after the resumption of the talks there is one important aspect of the problem with reference to which no concrete proposals have been submitted, namely the territorial aspect. 21. I should like now, Sir, to address to you my warmest congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of June. We are convinced that your experience and skills, which we have on many an occasion had ample opportunity to witness and admire, are indicative of the leadership which you will provide from the chair of this all-important principal organ. But our pleasure at seeing you preside over the Council Is due not only to the respect we have for you personally, but also to the high admiration we have for your great country, a champion of many noble causes in the international field and a leader of the third world, a country with which my own maintains very cordial relations. 28. We can only express the hope that promises given will bo kept, that declarations made will be matched by deeds and, abovo all, that the necessary political will may be summoned, thus making it possible to arrlvo at a satisfactory conclusion of the intercommunal dialogue as mandated by the resolutions adopted by the Security Council and as provided for by the hlghlevel agreements of 12 February 1977 [S//ZJtJ, paru. 51 and 19 May 1979 which provide the framework for the solution of the problem. For-and let us make no mistake-it is only through the implementation of agreements arrlvod at so far, and also by taking further posltivo stops in tho right direction, that we can hope for a resolution of the Cyprus problem. 22. I would, however, be remiss were I not to address felicitations as well to the retiring President of the Council. Mr. Nisibori, representative of Japan, who so ably .handled preliminary matters connected with today’s meeting of the Security Council. 23. Furthermore, Mr. President, 1 should like to extend to you, as well as to all the members of this body, my thanks for affording me the opportunity to address the Council, and also our appreciation for having, by the resolution the Council just adopted, extended, with the consent of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period of six months. 29, The time has come for all to realize that a just solution of the problem, based on United Nations principles and resolutions, on international instruments, aspecially in the field of human rights, and on existing agreomonts, will prove to be beneficial to all communities and to all the people of Cyprus. Thus, this is tho moment in our history when the supremo interests of our country dictate ihat we forgive and forget mistakos and injustices made or committed, and concontrato on &at should be achieved for the country as a whole and for itr fbture. 24. Our biannual appearance before the Security Council and the resolution resulting from the Council’s meeting, however essential for the preservation in my country of peaceful conditions, which are so necessary for the ongoing dialogue, are at the same time a sad commentary on the ability of the United Nations to apply the principles of the Charter and the peremp tory no;ms of international law and justice to a small and defenceless country in the case of which they hove been so flagrantly violated. 30. Let us hope that the positive omens to which the &cntuy-0ewrai has alluded in hit report will be translated into concrete proposals, including proposals 25. They are at the same time yet another dirheutening signal to the thousands of refugees and displaced persons that they are still 10 gaze at their ancestral homes, including those in Varosha-which is a priority item under the IO-point agreement of 19 May I979 [S/IB69, ptr~. S/j-from the wrong side of the demilitarized zone, which is so far away and yet so near. on territory, to be submitted early in July and that we shall be able to celebrate the anniversary of the present round of talks with the first positive results, and thus be well on the way to a permanent solution. 31. However, let me make it clear that these proposals to be submitted by the other side should not be a reiteration of old positions in a continued effort to legalize Jirirs nccontplis and should not undermine the legal order in the Republic, but should be pragmatic and reasonable and contain the necessary elements to permit serious negotiations. 26. The Security Council has once again voiced its support of the ongoing process of the intercommunal talks, which we all consider 10 be the best available means in the quest for a solution of the internal aspect of the Cyprus problem. Although, as I had occasion to state before the Conncil last December, the inter- 33, In conclusion, I wish to reiterate our confidence in the Secretary-General and repeat our heartfelt appreciation and thanks for the devotion, zeal and ability with which he is carrying out his tasks regarding Cyprus. Our thanks also go to his extremely able collaborators both here and in Cyprus, namely, Messrs. Urquhart, Mrez de Cubllar, Oobbi, Sherry, Picco and Schlittler-Silva, who have also laboured hard and contributed significantly to the efforts towards the solution of the Cyprus problem. Appreciation is also due to the present and past Commanders and to the officers and men of UNFICYP and, equally, to the countries that contribute contingents to UNFICYP and also absorb a large part of its costs. We do also wish to thank the countries that contribute to the special account for UNFICYP. 34. Finally, 1 should like to address a special word of appreciation and thanks to Mr. Wrez de CublIar. who has just relinquished his post as Under-Secretary- General for Special Political Affairs. Let me say that we have greatly admired his personal qualities and the skill, interest and devotion he brought to all the tasks he undertook, and particularly that of Cyprus, either as Special Representative of the Secretary-General or as Under-Secretary-General here in New York. His significant contribution will be remembered by the people and the Government of Cyprus and indeed by all of us, whose confidence he won from the outset. 35. Once again I shall end by expressing the hope that when I appear before the Council in six months’ time I may have something on the positive side to report on the talks. We are ready to work hard in that direction: but is the other side really, this time, willing to do likewise or is it again going to make a mockery of the negotiating process? In the mean time, I believe that I am duty-bound to warn against any provocative acts such as the repeated violations of the airspace of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkish jet fighters that 37. Mr. KATAPODIS (Greece) fitrterpwtcctiott hJIIt Sprcrrlsh): 1 should like to begin my statement by expressing to the representatives of the People’s Republic of China, of Ecuador and of Bangladesh the deep condolences of my Government on the nassing away of the Honorary Chairman of China, the President of Ecuador and the Preiident of Bangladesh. 38. Mr. President. I wish to convey to YOU our warmest congratul&lons on your assu-m imDortant fbnctions of President of t e Security R tion of the . Cduncil for the month of June. In my three years as Ambassador in your beautiful country, I had the opportunity to appreciate your great qualities as an eminent statesman and prominent intellectual. I am sure that under your leadership this supreme body of the United Nations will carry out its important tasks effectively and successfully. I should like also to thank the members of the Council, through you, for allowing me the opportunity of expressing my Government’s point of view on the item on the agenda. 39. The Security Council has just extended the mandate of UNFICYP once again. This extension is nothing but an admission of failure on the part of the Organization in its mission of guaranteeing the independence and territorial integrity of its Members, more particularly the small countries. Every six months the international community, in Cyprus, in Lebanon, in the occupied Arab territories and in other parts of the world, reconnizes its inability to enforce respect for the principl& of the Charter and to oblige aggressors to withdraw from territories they have occupied by force in violation of the most fundamental rules of international law. 40. In the case of Cynrus. the Dast two Years have been a time of hope b;i also of disappointment. I say hope because the agreement of 19 May 1979 [SIIJJbP, para. 5/] gave the impression that finally the lengthy and fruitless negotiations between the two communities were going to lead to n settlement that would allow the inhabitants of that unfortunate island to live in peace and permit the refugees to 60 home, I also say disappointment because so far none of this has been achikbed. Despite the praiseworthy efforts of the Secretary-General and of his colleagues. which deserve the thanks of all Cypriots, and despite the dedication of the peace-keeping force, which gives the victims of aggression a feeling of some security, no real progress has been made in the dialogue. It would not be useful, at this time when the talks are still going on, to try to place the blame for this situation on one or another of the parties. However, it is an incontrovertible fact that, almost seven years after the 1974 invasion, foreign troops are still occupying 40 per cent 41. The intercommunal talks have roached a turningpoint. It is not possible for them to bo extended indofq initeiy. The party responsible for the present Cypriot tragedy has the duty, the moral obligation and I would oven say it is In its political interest to make a serious effort to arrive at a peaceful and equitable settlement of the issue. There is not the slightest doubt that the other party is more than ready to reciprocate such an effort. 42. Recriminations, although they may afford the victims some satisfaction, never help to rosoive poiiticai problems. Unfortunately, we are living at a time when tho notion that might is right is sanctioned. The agenda of the Security Council is an almost infinite list of problems that are insoluble because of the intransigence of those who violate the rights of pooples. The case of Cyprus is a typical example. However, the problem could be resolved if the opposing sides, that is, the two communities, wore allowed to seek a satisfactory settlement without the interference of outside elements that in fact are more interested in promoting their own aims than in the welfare of the Cypriots. Perhaps this is the last opportunity to achieve an agreement which would maintain the independence, unity, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus. It would be a great pity if the opportunity were lost through lack of political vision on the part of those very poop10 who brought about the present crisis.

I thank the representative of Oreeco for his gesture in making his statement in my own language and for his klnd words addrosssd to me. 44. The next speaker is Mr. Nail Atalay, to whom the Council has extended an invitation under rule 39 of its PrOViSiOnal rules of proeeduro. 1 invite him to take a place at the Council tabio and to make hi8 ttatomont. 43. Mr. ATALAY: Mr. Pretident, 1 thank you and ail the member8 of tbo Council for having given me the opportunity of rddm88inl the Council today. 46. Allow mo also, on bohaif of my Oovemmont and on my own behalf, to express our thanks and gratitude lo the Secretary-General, 10 his staff in the Secretariat and in the field-especially to Mr. Urquhart, Mr. Gobbi, Mr. Sherry, Mr. Picco and Mr. Schlittler- Silva-and to those military and civilian personnel who are doing their best to find a just and lasting solution to the problem of Cyprus, Furthermore, I should also like to thank Under-Secretary-General P6rez de CuelIar, who retired from the Secretariat very recently, and Mdor-General James Quinn, who has completed his tour of duty as the Force Commander. Their excellent performance in discharging a very dificult task will not be forgotten by the Turkish 47, I take this opportunity also to welcome the now Farce Commander. Maior-Qoneral Guenther Cireindi, and to assure him’of 6 fUles~~co=oporation in tho dlfflcuit task that ties ahead of him. 48. The Security Council hasjust adopted a resolution on the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP until 15 December 1981. In the third proambular paragraph of the resolution, there is a reference to the “Oovernment of Cyprus”. I must immodiately point out once again that that reference is both uqjust and misleading. The legitimate Government of Cyprus, as sot up by the 1960 Treaty,! was a bl-communal on& Turkish Cypriots had participated at ail iovois of the adminis. tration and without such participation there could have boon no legitimate Oovernmont. But, in December 1%3, the Oroek Cypriot leaders staged a coup against this legitimacy and threw the Turkish Cypriots out of the bi.communai Oovommont. What we are now trying to do, through intercommunal talks, i8 to reestablish a legitimate Clovornmont to rePresent both communitios.~Thoroforo, a reference in tlio text to the Oreok Cypriot administration as the ao-called aovernmont of Cyprus makes the resolution unacceptable to us from the very outset. 49. Nevertheless, the ~ovommont of the Turkish Federated State of Klbrls concurs with the decision to extend the mandate of UNFICYP, and it has instructed me to convoy Its consent. But, as 1 have already omphasized on numerous occasions during the Councii’s meetings hero, UNFICYP’s modus operand/ must bo than ed s and its present mandate muat be tWi8Od accord ngiy. SO. The situation referred to in paragraph 13 of the report of the Secretary-Oonorai can bo understood in the light of the following: UNFICYP’s function8 and authority are outlined in its orlglnai mandate of 1964 a8 “to use it8 beat efforts to prevent a rocurrcnce of fighting and, a8 nocoarary, to contribute to the maintenance and reatoration of law and order and a mtum to normal conditiona” Ireso/urlon 186 f/964)]. Under that mandate, UNPICYP ha8 no le~timue function to porfom in the north of CYPN~ and it ia conridomd appropriate that UNPICYP ahouid roallgn itself in the light of its mandate within the present realities of Cyprus. If that is done, 30 per cent of the personnel of UNFICYP will suffice to control the cease-fire tines and thus adequately fulfil the conditions of its mandate. 51. Seeing scores of UNFICYP members idling around certain unnecessary points in the north must be affecting the morale of its own members, while costing the contributing countries unnecessary expense, In fairness to both the contributing countries and the Turkish Federated State of Kibris, an early review of UNFICYP’s role in the north is called for. 53. Howovor, In connection with the resumption of the intercommunal talk8 last AUgU8L the fifth proambuiar paragraph and paragraph 2 of the resolution do not accurately reflect the actual baNi8 on which talks wore resumed. The intorcommunal dialogue ha8 rosumod and is continuing on the basis of the SecrotarvKionoral’s ooenlnn statement of 9 Aueust 1980 [S/i4/00~ urt,rax]; whlah incorporates the highlevel aaroomont of 12 February 1977 IS//2jzJ, DMYL 51, the t&point aOroomont of ‘19 May. 1979 (S//369, paru. 5/l and other important olomonts. Although WC would have wanted 10 change the wording of those two paragraph8 of the text 80 a8 10 conform 10 the actual situation, WC did not insist for the sake of not CrOating an impa a1 this jUnCtUr0. 54. Now I should like lo mention a very important point which, intentionally or unintentionally, is not taken seriously by certain circles. 1 refer lo the principle of equality. 55. The problem of Cyprus is a dispute between the two national communities, namely the Turki8h Cypriot8 and the Cirook Cypriots, which wore political equals undor the bi-national partnership sot-up of I%O, and the intercommunal talks are being hold bOtWOOn the roprosontativos of those two communities on an equal footing under the personal auspices of the ~CrOt!Ity-OOnOI?#8 roprosontativo in Cyprus. $6, We cannot and we ehail not give in ovon an iota on thi8 principio of equality. Therefore, whenever and whomvor them ha8 lo be a reference to the intorsommunal negotiations or to the mspeclivo status of bath community, the principio of equality mubt be maintained and their mpmuentative8, from the highest kvoi to the lowest level, must be eddmssed as oquais !n kespln( with lhi8 principle. $7. 1 wanted to make those clarifications, and I am h1-8 that the Council will take note of chow facts. SE. Mr. President, you have already noted from paragraph 59 of the report of the Secretary-General that on 22 April 1981, in Cyprus, agreement was reached by the two sides-namely, the Turkish Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot side-on the terms of reference for the establishment of a committee on missing persons. 59. The representative of the Turkish Federated State of Kibriv on the Committee, Mr. Latife Birge% made the following statement on the subject: .a . * . the Turkish Federated State of Kibris regards the agreement reached on this humanitarian issue oplo in the intorcommunal hghting which s&ted n December I%3 and the humanitarian orobloms they wore forcod to face are known 10 ail. since then tho missing-person8 issue has been an agony deeply felt by each Turkirrh Cypriot. But, despite the ca808 of their missin poraons documented by the reports of the United Nation8 Socrotary.Oenoral, the Turkish Cypriot side ha8 never exploited this humanitarian issue for political purposes. “However, since July 1974 attempts have been made 10 make political capital out of this question on every occasion at the expense of the Turkish Cypriot community. Thie exploitation wa8 carried 10 the point of asking the Turkiah Cypriot community to account for the Orook Cypriots missing as a result of the fighting among themselves during the wp of IS July 1974, the aims of which are too well known. This issue wa8 presented to the world in a biased perspective, totally removed from the roalitios. “Tho Turkish Cypriot 8idO ha8 advocated, from the very beeinnine, that this issue be settiod in a humani fashion 6 alleviate the suffering of the families of the missin persons of both communities and ha8 supported, with good will, every initiative that was not open to political exploitation. “Indood, during the contacts that woro started in rOCOnt months & the 8uggo8tiOn of tho United Nations, the Turkish Cypriot side ha8 maintained the Name positive approach and has made constructive contribution8 for bringinp those effort8 to an accoptable conclusion, Consequently, it has now been decided to ostabiish a Committee of thmo momben including, besidos the ropresentativos of the two communities, an official from the International Committee of the Red Cross, and lo carry out its task on the baai of consensus. “Undoubtedly, the fact that agreement ha8 been reached for the ettabiirhment of 8UCh a Committee Co&tlltO8 a bVolll’&tO develomnent for flneliv reaolvin@ a humanitarian problem; u well u fort& continuation of the dialogue between the two communities. “We would like to hope that with the agreement a humanitarian problem will entirely cease to be exploited. Our wish is that humanitarian and objective considerations exclusively should guide the work of the Committee.” 60. On this occasion I welcome also the third member of the Committee, Mr. Claude Pilloud, and assure him of my community’s co-operation. I am sure that his deep knowledge in this humanitarian field will be very helpful during the deliberations of the Committee. 62. We, the Turkish Cypriota, are looking forward to a golden age In Cyprus, when both of its cornmunities will live harmoniously 8idO by side, sharing a8 equal partners the burden8 of government. Only throueh positive stens taken now can the future PonerationiofTurk8 and brooks be taught to live as p&nor8 in Cyprus, and the intercommunal dialogue is the only channel between the two neticommunities thtit CM lead to peace. 68. Once anain. In saite of our obvious dosire to the contrary; m?couittry hnds itself obliged to speak in the Security Council on tho question of Cyprus. At the last mooting of tho Council on the subject in December 1980 12257th meerltwl. I mado it clear that any di8CU8- sion tioro on CyprU8%Uld in the CUrrOnt circu&&ncoe be not only inappropriate but ovon actually harmful to the sOarCh for a solution by moan8 of the ongoing intorcommunal nettotiatlona. Novortholo88. wo are hCr0 to repeat once a&n this not very usetil oxorci8o. I therefore ehall be brief and do my best to avoid polomica, oven if the other sido becorns heated for obvious reasona, or maybe for not 80 ObViOU8 rOa8on8, as is unfortunately the case today. 63. Tho PRESIDENT (htterptetatlon from Spanish): ThO noxt speakor is the rCprO8entative ofhrkoy, upon whom I now call. 64. Mr. KIRCA (Turkey) flnterprerarlon Porn French): Mr. President, at the outset I should like to aseocieto the Turkish Oovemmont and people with the condolence8 which the Security Council has, through you, offored to the Oovornments and peoples concerned on the deaths of the Honorary Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, tho President of I$cuador and the President of the People’s Republic of R%ttgla&8h. 69. In the first place, WC note with satiefaction the fact that the intercommunal talk8 are continuing. Those negotiations in our view constitute tho only v&l mean8 for art&inn at a.iust and lastinn solution of tho Problem of Cyprus: It idtruo that the inootings have b&n 10~8 &equent than planned, b common oonsOnt in order to @errnit the two commun ties to hold their oleations in r their respective sectors. Novortheloss, the dialauo between the two communities has be0n m&nlnad without interruption. 65. Mr. President, the Council is meeting today shortly aftor your assumption of its presidsncy for tho month of June. l should therefore like to convey to ou I my warmest congratulations and my best wishes or 8uccoss in the o~rformanco of your task. which ia so difilcult and delicate. Oiven tb imditio~ai r&ona Or friondahio betwwn Mexico and Turkey. YOU can net usurod of our full co.opemtion. 1 Un itit& to 70. It is a pottioukr sowco of rrtlrtrotion to UI, too, to note that, following a lensthy process of shuttle tulato you in Spanish, and in that rorpoct, and rospoet only, the Ambusulor of Orwce bas OcDmd a point. Permit me, Mr. Ptuakknt, to oxptwsr Our putkular s&faction at your ol&ctlve and con- 8tl’UCtiVO conduct of the habitual consultation8 on this item of the agenda, which has been so admirable, “r$: ii- &~$e$lu T Nap fbrwud ItM hoott takoft n of a deIkue and humanltuian problem, that Is, the question of mirrlnl persons. Indeed, a committee Composed of throo member8 and charged with the task of studying this question has finally been set up, thanks in large measure to the tireless efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative in Cyprus and their colleagues here and in Nicosia, but also because of the perseverance and determination of the two parties. We hope that the committee will be in a position to resolve this question speedily and effectively. The solution of this sensitive question will undoubtedly help to eliminate a source of constant tension which ‘has poisoned relations between the Turkish and Greek communities in Cyprus. 66. Before turning to the substance of our discussion I should like also to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to Mi\jor-General James Quinn, who, as Commander of the United Nations Force in Cyprus, has rendered such exemplary service. We wish him every success in his future activities. We should also liketo welcome the new Commander, Major- General Guenther Greindl. I should like to reiterate our determination to co-operate with him in the performance of his tasks. 72. WC hope that this agreement will be tho harbingor of future positive doveiopmont8 in the soarch for a aoltttlon of the Cyprus problem. We should ilko to hope that, in the period following elections in both aactor and the P roces8 of rcorganization which ma K very well re8u t from this in the two communltios, t e two oartiea will b0 in a oosltion to make conaroto Pronre88 in the intercommuital negotiations. Clearly, broiross will dePend on the joint effort8 of the two aides. Each cotnmtinity mu8t aitempt to put forward ideas, based on the orinciole of eauitv. with rcnard to the Particular goncat’ite of ihe other party. In %is regard; 1 ehould like to Doint out that it is only the Turkish community which ‘has 8hOWn flexibilityin certain areas of thb negotiations. It is obvious that there will not be any progress if one of the partlee alone is expected to make concessions. Progrese can be achieved only by mutual concessions; it cannot be won by unrealistic position8 and even. in certain ca.se8. Positions that PO back on previous agreements, and itcan certainly not be won on the basis of one-sided accusation8 or flights of oratory. 73. With regard to the intercommunal talks, w0 share the concern expressed by the Secretary-General in his report in document S/14490. He can count on our wholehearted support in the continuation of his mission of good 0~~08. The Turkish Government has tdWa for r s OXlM88ed its gratitude to the Secretary-Oonoral h 8 tireless efforts to solve the problem of Cyptur. In the future, we shall give our co-operation to the &cretary-Ciencrei a8 we have done in the pact. ‘N. Before expressing our view8 on the rerolutlon Just Mpted by the Council. I rhould like to tnake a brief mnment on tha report of the Sscmary-Omoml. We have certain difncuitier with the wording of this report, although that was not exactly the case with regard to tbe text of tile previous report. We understand that these difKculties may derive from the haste with which this report was prepared: nevertheless, I feel obliged to dwell on a particular point so as to put it on the record of this meeting. The equality of the two national communities in Cyprus-that is, the Turkish Cypriot community and the Greek Cypriot community-is not reflected in the titles used to designate the respective officials on both sides. The officials of the Greek Cypriot community are represented erroneously as representatives of the Government of Cyprus. Undoubtedly, the reference to the “Government of Cyprus” in the report could be misleading, 75. The roforenco in the third preambuiar paragraph, Ilk0 the one made in the report of the Secretary-Genoral, to tho ‘Y3ovommont if Cyprus” is totail$ inappropriate. Our position on this ie well known to the Council. This poaitlon remains valid and unchanged. Since WC have once again 8et fortb our views in the document 1 have just mentioned, I shall confine myself here to bringing to the notice of the member8 of the Council the fact that consent given by Turkey to the peace-keoplng efforts of the United Nations in Cyprus will be conditioned by our position on the subject of tho so-called “Oovemment of Cyprus”. 76. Another remark I should like to make on the eubjoct of the resolution juat adopted is a8 follows: the various t’e8MvatiOn8 made and positions adopted by Turkey on the subject ofprevious United Nation8 reaolutions mentioned in this text continue to bo valid and remain unchanged. 77. In the course of consultations, we proposed that reference be mado in paragraph 2 of the reaoiution to the openlag 8tatement made by the Secretary-Oenerai on 9 August 1980 [S//4/00, a~rx]. We made this requoat because we felt that the present wordin of the resolution is far from reflecting the facts or the deveiopments that have occurred over the past 12 months. At the lort meeting of the Council on the subject, I rxplalned that the intercommunal negotiation8 had been ntumed a8 a rerult of a 8tatement made by the Beeretuy-Oeneral In Augurt 1980. That statement, whkh montim not only the high-level agreement8 of 1977 [S//232& palw. 51 and 1979 [S//3369, parli. J/l hut al80 cart&t very important element8 of 8ubrtance, provided the appropriate framework for the resump tion of the intercommunal talks. We understund if the Council prefers, for purely practical reasons, to maintain the wording of the resolutions unchanged, but I must stress that my Government interurets the text of the present resolution, and in particular the reference to the resumption of intercommunal talks, in the light of the considerations I have just indicated, 78. In its operative part, this resolution renews the mandate of UNFICYP for another six months. Since Mr. Nail Ataiay, representative of the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus, has just informed the Council of the consent of his authorities, we for our part also 85. Mr. LBPRETTE (France) WerPrclarlun J)‘Jm /+~vtc/t~: Mr, President, as you wanted this to be a brlcf meeting I am sure that you will not take it amiss lf 1 leave it until we meet next to express our satisfaction at seeing you conduct the bUBinC88 of the Council this month, and our congratulations to your predecessor for the month of May, Mr. Nisibori. But I do have a few words to say to associate myself with the tribute you have just paid to Mr. Mikhali Sytenko. Words that come from the heart can be brief, and I ehail not take up much of the Council’8 time. 79. Before concluding my comments I should like to express our profound gratitude to the Secrctary- General and also to his colleagues for their ceaseless efforts both in Nicosia and here in New York to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. We should also like to thank the Member States which have contributed to the United Nations Force in Cyprus and, of course, the gallant officers and men of UNPICYP and the civilian personnel stationed in the island, 80. The PRESIDBNT Ilttterprctarktn frtttn Spanish): The representative of Cyprus has asked to be allowed to speak in exorcise of the right of reply, and I call on him.

With the Council’s indulgence I should like to reply very briefly to the reference by the representative of Turkey to the Government of Cyprus, and repeat once again that such statements seem to be in blissful ignorance of the provisions of the Charter, the practice of the United Nations, the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and international law in general. 82. A8 regards the reference to the opening statoment by the Secretary-General, I should like simply to refer to my reply to a similar reference on 1 I Dccembcr 1980 t2257th meeting, para. 651 and to numerous explanatory statements made by us on the matter, both here and in Cyprus.

Thorn are no further rpoaken, and the Security Council has thu8 completed the present 8tngo of it8 conridoration of the item on its ago&a.

Before we adjourn, I should like to say-a few words of farewell 10 the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Security Council Affairs, Mr. Mikhail Sytenko. I am sure that I speak for all Council members in expressing to him dur deep appreciation of his many diplomatic talents, his great cordiality and his impcccable courtesy, and also his constant contribution to the Council in every aspect of its work. As he leaves the Secretariat, 1 assure him that we shall miss him, both in relation to the work of the institution and for himself as a person. He leaves an indelible memory among us. On behalf of the Council, I offer him out 86. Since this meeting may be the last in which Mr. Sytenko, the Under-Secrctary&neral for Poiiticai and Sccurlt I should like, a8 t ii Council Affairs, will take Part, o oidO8t of the Western members of the Council, and on their behalf, to say how much we regret to 8ce him go, For three years, in this highly important sector of tho Organisation, where the moat diMcult questions affecting international peace and security arc tai8Cd and dealt with, Mr. Sytenko has been a remarkable Under-Secretary-Oenoral on ail counts. Attentive, far-seeing, thoroughly well informed and always mindful of trends of opinion in the Security Council, he ha8 given that body the benefit of his con8idcrabie diplomatic expcriencc and ha8 ensured its functioning in a way that has earned our admiration. It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to pay this tribute to Mr. Sytonko and to thank him for the services he has rendered to everyone with unfailing COtJlt88y, a great 8On80 of humour and a wBrm Spirit Of co-operation. On behalf of the Western members of the Council I offer him our be&t wishes for his personal happinese and for the succo18 of the ImpOtUnt mission that is to be ontrusted to him by the Oovemmont of hi8 country.

Permit mo first, Mr. RetidOnt, to congratulate you on your accotsion to tho proaidoncy . We am confldont that you will carry out the task ontruttod to you with your characteristic tkiii and tho ca 1 should or ity for hard work wo associate with you. 10 Uko to thank Mr. Niribori of Japan for tE;y he conducted the work of the Couacil last 88. I am speaking on behalf of the non-allgned members of the Council to pay tribute to Mr. Sytenko for Ihe way he has been handling our work. As you know, he has been an exemplary international civil servant. He has exhibited great intellectual ability which has enabled him to grapple with the complex issues of international r&tio&, dealing with people coming from all cosners of the world, with different aolitical systems and cultures. He has shown in hs work tenacity, perseverance and the patience needed to deal with varying positions and to discern common ground in those positions, and the subject we have been discussing is a testimony of his ability. Furthermore, he 89. As he leaves, it is indeed a great loss to the Organization, but we hope that we shall meet him in another capacity where his qualities will again be put to good use. We have profited from his advice and we wish him and his family a safe future.

It is a particular pleasure for me to welcome you, Mr. President, the representative of a great country with which the German Democratic Republic maintains friendly relations, as President of the Security Council for this month. I would like to congratulate in you the well-known champion of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, with whose diplomatic talents we have had an opportunity to acquaint ourselves since Mexico became a member of the Council. I am convinced that in the course of your presidency you will promote the attainment of gwd rcaults in the work of the Council. 91. At the same time, permit me to refer to the work of the President of the Security Council for the month of May, the reoresentative of Japan. It is a oarticular pleasure for nie to recall that, during that iime, the head of State of the CJerman Democratic Republic went to his country on an official visit. 92. On behalf of the delegation of the German Democratic Republic, 1 should like to associate myself with the compliments of the President and of my colleagues addressed to Comrade Mikhail Sytenko, who is leaving his post in the Organization. Comrade Sytenko certainly deserves the highest praise. His great diplomatic experience has helped us in our work. We are very grateful to him for his help and we shall always remember the time we spent together here with great satisfaction. I should like to say that we shall always remember his wife also, whose life was cut short so suddenly in New York, We should like to congratulate tbc country which possesses such extraordinary diplomats PI Comrade Sytenko, who is devoted to the Principles of co-operation among States In the interests of peace and resolving existing problems. From the bottom of our hearts we in the delegation of the German Democratic Republic wish Comrade Sytenko the very best in the future. 93. Mr. YANG Hushan (China) (i/tlcrp~c~/olio,r ji*o/,r Chirtc~sc~l: First of all, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, I should like warmly to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We are sure that under your competent guidance the work of the Council will yield fruitful results. The Chinese delegation would like to pledge to you its full co-operation. We should also like to thank the representative of Japan 94. I should like to say a few words about Mr. Mikhail Sytenko, the Under-Secretary43eneral for Political and Security Council Affairs, During his term he rendered great services to the Security Council in its work and made his personal contribution thereto. Upon his imminent retirement, I should like to express the gratitude of the Chinese delegation for the work he performed.

On behalf of my delegation, may I first of all join in the expression of congratulations to YOU, Mr. President, on yourassumption-of the presidency for the month of June and bf confidence in your able leadership in the conduct of this Council’s work in the days 16come. %. My delegation also wishes lo join in the expression of deep appreciation of and praise for the devoted services arid cdntrlbutions made-by Under-Secretary General Sytenko during his tenure of office. We should like also to wish him good health and every success in the future. 97. Lastly, I should like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. President, and the other speakers who have addressed kind words to Mr. Nisibori who is, unfortunately, away from New York temporarily. But had he been here, I am sure that he would have responded by saying that whatever little he could do was made possible only by the kind and full co-operation of all the other members of the Council.

First of all, Mr. President, I should like to take this opportunity to convey to you our cordial congratulations on your assumption of the responsible post of President of the Security Council. We are very pleased to be able to welcome to this important post the representative of Mexico, a country with which the Soviet Union has maintained ties of friendship for so many years. In the course of the recent negotiations in Moscow between the Minister for Fore&n Affaha of the Soviet Union and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, both parties expressed their support for a further expansion and deepening of the traditional ties of friendship between the two countries. We have had many opportunities of acquainting ourselves with your great diplomatic qualities, Mr. President, and we are sure that your action in the performance of the important functions of President will promote effective and fruitful work by the Council. 99. Permit me also to express our gratitude to your predecessor, the President of the Security Council for the month of May, the representative of Japan, Mr. Nisibori, for his work in conducting the proceedings of the Council. 101. The great diplomatic experience and valuable offtcial and personal qualities of Mr. Sytenko have undoubtedly furthered the creation of an atmosphere of business-like co-operation in relations between delegations of States members of the Security Council and among the staff members of the department he heads, and this is by no means a small factor in the search for solutions to the controversial and dlfflcult problems which are being considered by the Council. 102. The Soviet delegation wishes our distinguished friend Mikhail Dmitrievich Sytenko great success in his future diplomatic work, which will be aimed at the strengthening of international peace and cooperation, and we wish him good health, happiness and well-being.

Finally, I call upon Mr. Mikhail Sytenko.

It is a very rare occasion for the Under-Secretary-General to speak at this table, and I should like to use this oppor- 105. We all know very well that everything has its beginning and its end, and that is why today I must say goodbye to you because of the end of my service in the United Nations Secretariat which began three years ago. During this period I have tried to make my modest contribution to the cause we all serve, and I have endeavoured to carry out my duties in the manner I thought best, 106. In my brief statement, I should like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Secretary-General for his friendship and for the most fruitful co-operation and help he afforded me in performing my duties. 107. Permit me once again to thank you, Mr. Presb dent, and all members of the Security Council, for your kind co-operation and understanding and to wish you all success in achieving the most noble goal of the United Nations, international peace and security for all nations. Tlw tneetittg rose at 5.55 p.m. NOTE I Trealy of Guarantee (United Nations, frear~ Series. vol. 382. No. 547% p. 4): Treaty conccmlng fhc Eslabllshment of the Republic of Cyprus (/h/l.. No. 5476. p. IO): and Treaty of Alliance between the Kingdom of Onece, the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus (/b/l., vol. 397, No. 5712. p. 269). .- HOW TO OBTAIN UNlW1) NATIONS WBLICAllONS United Nations publications may be obtained licm bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Consult your bookstore or write IO: United Natlons. Sales Section. New York or Oencva. comm sE mocum us ruBwcmoNs cm NATIONS mfis lm publieado~ des Nhwn Unka so111 en wntc dan lm libraMe SI ks r#mcts d@ositaim du monde emkr. Inhnez~vous rupds de vowe llbrain ou drmwz-vow I : Nalions U&s. Section de¶ vmle& New York w oalh. MAY IlO:lY’4Yth YSJ#AHIIW OII’AYU DAlllW 0U’hU1llNYklHl1U HAllWR COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONCS DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicacioncs de Ias Naciones Unidas estin en venta en lib&as y casas dishibuidoras en I&S pancj del mundo. Consulre a su librero o dirijasc a: Naciones Unidas. Secci6n de Ventas. Nueva Yock o Ginebra. Litho ia Uaited Nations. New York .-___ Km0 X6-61 I03-June 19884.050