S/PV.2313 Security Council

I should like to recall that in the course of the Council’s consultations members of the Council agreed that an invitation should be extended to Mr. Nail Atalay in accordance with rule 39 of the provisional rules of procedure. Unless I hear any objection, I shall take it that the Counril decidesto invife.Mr. &!?y~>ac~~~rdance with rule 39. 2. The situation in Cyprus: Report of the Secretary-General on the United ~~ Nations operation in Cyprus 6114778 lnd Corr.1 and Add.11 Expression of thanks to the outgoiag President 4. Members of the Council have before them the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cyprus for the period 28 May to 30 November 1981 [S//4478 rlr~t/ At/t/./]. Members of the Council also have before them the text of a draft resolution which has been prepared in the course of consultations IS//47Y0]. I. The PRESIDENT: Since this is the first meeting oi the Council since the begimiing of the month, I wish to take the opportunity to pay a very special and well-deserved tribute to my distinguished elder brother. Ambassador Tai’eb Slim of Tunisia, who preceded me in this Chair. We all recall with admiration his leadership of the Council during the month of November, a leadership that was characterised by such reassuring wisdom: the wisdom born of a remarkable wealth of experience, an insightful hitellect and a true gentleness of spirit, My brother, I greet you as a happy beneficiary of these qualities of leadership. Your help and example have made my own tenure in what you always light-heartedly call the chamber of torture much more bearable. May I convey to you the sincere sentiments of deep respect and enduring gratitude. 5. 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, 1 shall put the draft resolution to the vote. Adoption of the agcada 6. Mr. LING Qing (China) (irr/[‘r./,r.c/ct/ic,rr /hurt C/lillc*w): At the outset and in the name of the Chinese delegation, I wish to extend sincere congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the current month. Thanks to your dynamic leadership, the Council has succeeded in its task of recommending a new Secretary-General. We all know, however, that this was made possible on the basis of the painstaking efforts on the part of Ambassador de Pini& and Ambassador Slim, who presided over the Council after the opening of this l’hc situation iii Cyprus: Report oflhc Secretary-Gcncral on the United Nations operation ia Cyprus (S/14778 and Cow.1 and Add.1)

I should like to inform members of the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey I session of the General Assembly, The Chinese delegution highly appreciates their conscientious and -palien endeavortrs. I wish also to take this opportunity to pay a tribute to Mr. Kurt Waldheim for his positive contributions to the Organization during his term of office~as Secretary-General, 7. Regarding the agenda item which we are considering, namely, the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the Chinese delegation wishes to make a brief statement by way of explaining China’s position 011 the question of United Nations peace-keeping operations. 8. The Chinese Government has always strictly adhered to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and has resolutely fulfilled its obligations to the United -Nations. Owing to historical and political reasons, however, we have up till now adhered to a well-known position vis-ir-vis United Nations peace-keeping operations. In recent years, we have participated in the deliberations of the Seecial Political Comniittee of the General Assembly dn the item entitled “Comprehensive Review of the Whole Question of Peace-keeping Operations in All Theh Aspects” and listened to the views expressed by all sides. Taking into consideration the changes in the international arena and the evolution of the role of United Nations peace-keeping operations, we deem that such operations should be conducive to the maintenance of peace in the area and the world as a whole, with due respect to the sovereignty of the States concerned, thus conforming strictly to the purposes and principles of the Charter In line with this understanding. the Chinese delegation has participated in the voting on the draft resolution contained in document S/14790, 9, From now on, the Chinese Government will actively consider and support such United Nations peace-keeping operations as are conducive to the maintenance of international peace and security and to the preservation of the sovereignty and independence of the States concerned, in strict conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter. IO. The PRESIDENT: I now call on the Secretary- Getwwl, who wishes IO make a statement. II. The SECRETARY-GENERAL: I have taken note of the resolution just adopted by the Security Council. which extends for another six months the mandate of UNFICYP and requests me to continue the mission of good offices entrusted to me by the Council by its resolution 367 (1975). I?. The United Nations involvement in the Cyprus situation has now continued for almost IX years. and yet IIIC problem is still far from a solution. Some may wonder. quite understandably, whether the United Nations road IO peaceful accord, involving the concurrent use of peace-keeping and good offices, has justified its political and financial cost, to say nothing of the frustrations and disappointments with which this path is strewn. 13. An answer to this question must proceed from an appreciation of the enormously complex pattern of conflicting interests that are considered vital by the various parties involved in the Cyprus problem. It would have been idle to look towards an immediate solution. What the United Nations has managed to do in a remarkably effective way is to keep the threatening situation under control on the ground. This was and remains the task of UNFICYP. 14. By maintaining the peace, the United Nations has helped to create conditions conducive to the search for a political settlement of the underlying dispute. During the first years of my tenure as Secretary-General, this search went forward under my auspices until, by the end of 1973, the outlines of an agreed settlement had been completed. The attempted coup of July 1974 and the subsequent military intervention nullified this achievement and forced us to start anew. IS. The choices before the Security Council were between rhetorical condemnation of one side or the other and the practical, but painful, exercise of statesmanship and realistic politics, which alone could lead to a negotiated peaceful solution. The Council wisely chose the latter path. In March 1975. it entrusted me with the mission of good offices to promote :I just and lasting settlement, which it has just extended for another six months. 16. A number of resolutions were adopted by the General Assembly, as well as by the Council, setting forth basic principles and procedures for reaching freely a mutually acceptable political settlement based on the fundamental and legitimate rights of the two communities. 17. Despite great difficulties, I convened several rounds of intercommunal talks in pursuance of this mission. Initially, these talks made slow progress, although a number of agreements were reached that enabled US. to the extent possible in the circumstnnces. to stabilise conditions along the ce;lsc-fire lines. establish B United N~itions buffer zone and achieve a measure of normalization. At the S;I~IIC time. the widely divergent positions of the parties provided ;I measure of the magnitude of the task that nccdcd IO be accomplished. IX. After intensive efforts, the high-level meetings held under my auspices in February 1977 and May 1979 resulted in the guidelines lS//?.$U. ,l,,rc,. .5i and the IO-point XCold IS//3.16(1. /M/m. S/ 1% which provide t0 this day the basis. principles and priorities in WI search for :I solution. The talks were resumed in a sustained manner in September 19x0. ‘I’his year. your efforts, that the Council succeeded in overcoming weeks of difficulties and decided to recommend as Secretary-General Ambassador PCrez de CuelIar, a person well known and admired by all for his high qualities and his dedicated work for the Organization in many parts of the world, including Cyprus. following the submission of new proposals by the parties. my Special Represenlative presented to them. bn my behalf, the elements of an’ evaluation of the status of the talks, This was designed no1 as a proposal for the solution of the problem, but as an analysis of cerlain mL\ior points of coincidence and equidiWnce. leading to cert. in ideas or working hypotheses conceived as parameters for conducting negotiations. During the past fortnight. the parties at the intercommunal talks have agreed to use this evaluation as a method of negotiation. thus embarking on the path designed to lead eventually to a comprehensive settlement. 25. I should also like to congratulate Ambassador Slim, representative of Tunisia, on the exemplary manner in which he presided over the Council during November, 26. I wish also to thank you, Mr. President, and the other members of the Council for having afforded me the opportunity to address the Council and also to extend our appreciation of the resolution just adopted, with the consent of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, extending the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period of six months, a renewal so necessary for the-ongoing process of the intercommunal talks. 19. -The negotiating process that the Council authorized nearly seven yeus ago has been a slow and painful one, and rather frustrating, since it involves the gradual modification and mutual readjustment of vital interests and cherished beliefs. But there has been gradual movement instead ofconfrontation, and the paceofthis movement has been distinctly accelerated over the past few months. The value of this painstaking and. at times, frustrating approach is all the more justified in the light of the fact that no practical peaceful alternative is available, except perhaps, for the time being at least, an unstable and unacceptable s~rrs clrro. 20. I appeal to all parties concerned, since this is the last time I can do so, not to allow an understandable impatience to obscure a sober assessment of the progress achieved. Nor should the parties allow themselves to lose sight for a moment of the great distance that remains to be travelled. There is need for greater efforts, greater restraint, and more concrete achievements. But the path has been charted, and, while the obstacles are formidable, I am convinced that, with the co-operative efforts of all concerned, they can be overcome. 21. To my successor, Mr. PCrez de CuCllar. who for four years was my closest collaborator in dealing with this question, I hand on a formidable task, but one that I have no doubt can be accomplished. My best wishes go with him as he assumes the heavy responsibility ofsteering this effort to a successful conclusion. 22. Finally. may I express my sincere appreciation to you, Mr, President, for your help in facilitating the decision that the Council has just made and for YOUI skilful and effective handling of this issue.

The first speaker is the representative of Cyprus, on whom I now call.

I should like from the very outset. Mr. President. IO congratulate you very warmly on your assumption ofthe presidency of the Council for the month of December. Under voui able and wise guidance, as already exemplified, I am confident that the Council will successfully carry out its important tasks. Indeed, it will always bc remembered that it was under your presidency. and thanks to 27. The Council’s present consideration of the renewal of the mandate of the Force and the good offices of the Secretary-General again takes place with the Cyprus problem no nearer a solution, as the Secretary-General has just stated. 28. As the resolution just adopted sadly reminds us. 40 per cent of my country still remains under the occupation of Turkish troops. The thousands of refugees and displaced persons are still living with the dream of returning to iheir ancestral homes, and the relatives of 2,000 missing persons are still horrified by obstructionist tactics defe&ng the day when they can be given convincing news of their loved or,es-all this despite a succession of United Nations resolutions and the tenets of the Charter, and yet we are called upon to continue negotiating in the shadow of the arms of the Turkish army, which refuses to withdraw. 29. During the more than six months that have elapsed since the last meeting of the Council, certain developments have occurred regarding the intercommunal dialogue in Cyprus. 30. On 5 August, the Turkish Cypriots at long last presented their “comprehensive” proposals for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The disappointment resulting frorn them was as immense as the waiting for them. They were notjust minimalist and um ealistic, but they could not, by any stretch of the imagination. lend any hope for a fruitful dialogue. None the less. the Greek Cypriot interlocutor presented not only views on these proposals but also, on 9 September, further proposals. 31. As a result of the nature of the Turkish Cypriot proposals and the huge gap that they left, it was to be expected that the Secretary-General would give some thought to ways and means of keeping the dialogue alive. Hence his “evaluation” of the present status of the negotiations, which after intensive consultations both here in New York md in Nicosia, was officially sub@ted on 18 November. 32. Although we reserved our position on the “Edtuition”, which contains both positive and negative elements, and have fully outlined our views thereon, we find it to be helpful to the negotiating process and hope that it will pave the way to a more productive phase in the dialogue. There is no doubt that this “evaluation” was never meant to form, and certainly is not. the basis for the negotiations. Here in the United Nations we employ all khds of terminology to describe ~documents which are merely intended to be a very useful vehicle for progress in ongoing negotiations, The basis for the intercommunal dialogue in Cyprus was, and always will be, the United Nations resolutions and the two high-level agreements, including the priority given to Varosha. 33. On the other hand, it must be stressed that, following the submission of the “evaluation”, we should accelerate the pace of the whole process considerably, so that within a reasonably short time we should know where we stand and whether. hopefully, substantive progress is possible. The aforesaid is essential not only because of the length of time that has elapsed without any progress but also because the Government of Cyprus, in yet another gesture of goodwill, not only agreed to the adjournment of the debate of the question of Cyprus during the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly last year, but also this year accepted an understanding whereby the same item, Cyprus, might not be discussed during the session of the General Assembly which is due to adjourn on OI about 17 December, but, if necessary, duringaresumed session thereafter. 40. The PRESIDENT: I call on the representative of Greece. 34. Permit me to state cateaoricallv that, if v+thin a reasonable time the talks in-Cypru’s do not register progress, then we shall ask for and have a full-fledged 41, Mr. KATAPODIS (Greece): In the 12 months of debate and a resolution, as in the past, during a resumed Uganda’s participation in the Council, you, Mr. Presisession of the General Assembly. This is not meant in dent, have earned general recognition as a highly any way to ae a threat. but is a declaration of intent. qualified diplomat and an outstanding member of this As we have proved in similar circumstances in the organ. It is certainly no coincidence that under YOUI past, we shall work with determination, goodwill and brilliant guidance the Council was able to break the bona tides to overcome difficulties and to achieve deadlock over the election ofa new Secretary-General. progress. But if the other side does not reciprocate, It is a great pleasure for me to extend to you the most then we shall have to act to safeguard the interests of sincere congratulations of my delegation. our country, 5oth here in the United Nations and in every other forum which offers itself for this purpose. 42. I should also like to congratulate your predecessor, Ambassador Slim of Tnnisia, who during his tenure at an equally delicate period showed considcrable skill and great diplomatic ability. 35. Permit me (0 make a brief reference to the yues- (ion of the missing persons in Cyprus, in respect of which the Third Committee of the General Assembly, by an overwhelming majority, adopted on 4 December a draft resolution’ designed to eliminate procedtnal difficulties and attempts by the other side to depart from existing agreements. It is our earnest hope that the Committee 011 Missing Persons in Cyprus will now embark, seriously and with a sense of urgency, upon its difficult substantive work of investigation, as called for by the aforementioned draft resolution. 36, During the past few months. Turkey has increased the violation:; of the airspace of Cyprus as well as its efforts to change the demographic structure of my country by granting Cypriot cilizcnship lo settlers implanted in Cyprus from Turkey.~We have officially and strongly protested those actions, but WC should like to warn once again that such actions put in jeopardy all efforts to reach a peaceful settlement and cannot be tolerated any loltger. 37. I wish to take this opportunity-and indeed, I would be remiss if I did not-to convey our deep appreciation to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, for his continued, able and dedicated efforts to help solve the Cyprus question. He has always been patient, understanding, extremely diplomatic and ready to seize every opportunity or employ any mechanism that appeared to be likely to contribute positively to the quest for progress. We do thank him warmly and sincerely. 38. We also thank his able staff, Mr. Urquhart, Mr. Gobbi. Mr. Sherrv. Mr. Picco and Mr. Schlittler- Silva for their untiring.efforts. 1 also wish to extend our appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief, the officers and men of UNFICYP and to the countries that have contributed contingents to the Force as well as those that contribute to its special_&ccount. 39. In conclusion. 1 should like to express the wish and hope that within the period ofthe renewed mandate of the Force and the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices, substantive progress will be achieved so that the plight of my country may be alleviated and the era of reason and legality may begin. 43. The renewal of the mandate of UNFlCYP every six months tends more and more to become a ritual. This is not to say that the inhabitants of the unfortunate island, both those who live in the unoccupied sector and those who have left their homes upon the invasion of 1974, do not need the reassurance of the presence of the Force, On the contrary, it has contributed greatly to the stabilization of the situation in Cyprus and is 44. But it would be a fatal mistake to consider the peace-keeping operation as a goal in itself. And unfortuna~elv. this is what manv of us have a tendency to do. The rciative quiet that has prevailed in Cyprus since I974 has lulled the viailance of those whose duty it is to ensure the implementation of the principles of the Charter in Cyprus, starting with the organs of the United Nations. Two of these organs, the General Assembly and the Security Council, have adopted by overwhelming majorities a long series of resolutions calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops, the return of the refugees to their homes, the safeguarding of the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic and, finally, a just and peaceful settlement through negotiations between the two communities. Unfortunately, none of these objectives has been achieved so far. The occupying troops still control something like 40 per cent of the territorv of Cvorus. On the other hand, not one of the 200,00drefugt&, representing one ;hird of the population of the island, has been able to go back. And it would be a mockery to speak of the independence and territorial integrity of the country, a substantial part of which is under foreign occupation. 45. These ir!cts are well known and undisputed. Yet most of us have a tendency to disregard them and to speak of the necessity of mutual concessions, as if it were possible to envisage a reciprocity of concessions between the conqueror and the conquered, the invade1 and his victim. 46. It is customary, at the time when the Council convenes to r-new the mandate of the Force, to sum up the developments of the previous six months and to outline the expectations and hopes for the future. At each of the last five meetings of the Council on the subject, hopes were expressed that at long last progress would be made towards a negotiated settlement. The scenario has acquired a disquieting regularity. The Turkish Cypriot side announces its intention, echoed by assurances from Ankara, to put forward substantive proposals for such a settlement. But subsequently these promises are belied by the facts. 47. Members of the Council wilt recall that last August the loug-awaited territorial proposals of the Turkish Cypriot community were presented. What these proposals amounted to, in fact, was the offer to return approximately three per cent of the occupied territory, In exchange, the Turkish Cypriot community asked fir nothing l&s than the virtual partition of the island in the guise of the creation of two federated entities, each if which would be an independent State in all hut name. The proposals in question were so ulls;\tisfilctory--and this is an impression shared by all 48. Another aspect of the problem which has been raised repeatedly in this Council is that of the missing persons in Cypris. After strenuous negotiations, which lasted for years through no fault of the Greek Cypriot side, the parties decided last April to set up an investigating committee. We hailed that decision because we hoped that it would pave the way towards throwing light on the fate of the numerous persons. some of them ~07 Greek nationality, whose whereabouts have been unknown since the invasior Unfortunately, from the very beginning the committee was faced with obstruc- -tionist tactics on the part of its Turkish Cypriot member. As a result. eight months after its establishment, it has still to embark upon its main task. A few days ago, the Third Committee adopfed a draft resolution’ urging the full implementation of the agreed terms of reference for the work of the investigatory committee and calling upon the parties to facilitate the committee in carrying out its investigation. We sincerely hope that this decision will enable the committee to go ahead with its work. Let us not forget that this is a purely humanitarian matter and that the completion of the investigation, whatever its findings, will help ease the agony of the farljilies of the missing persons. 49. Before concluding, I should like to extend out warmest thanks to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, who, during the 10 years of his tenure, has devoted his untiring energy, great inventiveness and single-minded dedication to helping the parties reach an agreement. Even if his efforts were not crowned with success-and I am sure this must Save been a cause of great disappointment to him--Mr. Waldheim can rest assured that he has earned the gratitude of all Cypriots and the appreciation of successive Greek Governments. Our thanks also go to his able coltaborators, here in New York and in Nicosia. And it is indeed fortunate that the man whom the Council has decided to recommend as his successor is equally familiar with the cause of Cyprus, which he has served in various capacities over t& distinguished diplomatic career. 50. It is our earnest hope that after all these years of strife and su!Tering reason will prevail and that all those directly or indirectly concerned with Cyprus 51. .The PRESIDENT: The next speaker is Mr. Nail Atalay, to whom the Cour. has extended an invitation in accordance with rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. 52. ~Mr. ATALAY: I have requested to be allowed to participate in the deliberations ofthe Council to express the views of the Government of the Turkish Federated State of Kibris-the sole representative of the Turkish Cypriot community--on the question of the extension -for six mon_ths of the mandate of UNFICYP. 53. Before I begin to make my statement, allow me to express our appreciation, on my own behalf and on ~behalf of the Turkish Federated State of Kibris, to you and to all members of the Council .for having invited me to participate in this debate. 54. May I take this opportunity to congratulate you, Sir, on tht assumption of your duties as the President ofthe Council and also express ourgratitude to you and through you to the Government of the Republic of Uganda for its impartiality and for the constructive role Uganda has played throughout in connection with the question of Cyprus. 55. Allow me also, on behalf of my Government and on my own behalf, to express our thanks and gratitude to the Secretary-General, to his staff in the Secretariat and in the field-especially to Mr. Urquhart, Mr. Gobbi, Mr. Sherry, Mr. Schlittler-Silva and Mr. Picco-and to the military and civilian personnel of the Force for the exemplary, impartial and efficient manner in which they have discharged their important duties. 56. I should like to take this opportunity also to express our gratitude to those countries that have contributed men and funds to the Force in Cyprus. 57. The Council hasjust adopted the resolution on the extension of the mandate of the Force until 15 June 1982. Despite our repeated and well-founded objections, in the third preambular paragraph reference is made to the so-called “Government of Cyprus”, which has been non-existent since December 1963. Such terminology reflects neither the legal nor the factual reality. The members of the Council are no doubt familiar with our position in this matter, that such usage is also prejudicial to the political equality and the co-founder partner status of the two national entities in Cyprus. These two national communities of Cyprus are and have been the two main parties to the Cyprus dispute since December 1963, as a result of the Greek Cypriot armed attempt to destroy the communal 58. Therefore, since a reference has been made to this non-existent entity-the Government of Cyprus-it is obvious that we cannot accept the resolution. Nevertheless, I have been authorized to give my consent, on behalf of the Government of the Turkish Federated State of Kibris, to the extension of the mandate of the Force until IS June 1982. We shall continue to cooperate with it and help to make its operation a success. Furthermore, the members of the Council and the Secretary-General are well aware of our position, as I have already emphasized on numerous occasions during the Council’s meetings here, that the /~Io&(.s opartdi of the Force must be changed and its present mandate must be revised according to the present realit& pf Cyprus. 59. The resolution also “requests the Secretary General to continue his mission of good offices”. My Government welcomes and supports that request. We shall give our full co-operation to our dedicated Secretary-General in his mission. However, I should like to remind the members of the Council that the intercommunal talks are’continuing on the basis of the Secretary-General’s opening statement of 9 August 1980 [SCB S/14/00, trrrrtesl, which incorporates the high-level agreements of 1977 and I979 and other important elements, and now also on the basis of his very recent “evaluation” paper of 22 October 1981 on the intercommunal talks. Therefore, the fifth preambular paragraph and paragraph 2 of the resolution do not accurately reflect the actual basis on which the talks are continuing. 60. Both the Greek Cypriot representative, Mr. Mavrommatis, and the representative of Greece, Mr. Katapodis. have said that there is a foreign occupation in Cyprus. Mr. Mavrommatis especially, in putting the question of Cyprus to the Council today, has deliberately confused the issue by distorting facts and amalgamating the history of events in such a way as to leave his listeners in utter confusion. His statement that foreign occupation is sti;! the cause of the political malaise that permeates the coLtltry signifies his continued and unacceptable adhere,\ce to the view that what preceded the legitimate and timelv intervention by Turkey in July I974 was normnl. ilowever. the question of Cyprus has been on th\l agenda of the United Nations, as the Secretary-General said today, 61. Had Turkey not exercised its legitimate right to intervention, it is abundantly clear that the island would ! have been taken over and colonized by Greeks. Arch- -bishop Makarios said on 19 July 1974 in the Council that Greece had callously violated the independence of Cyprus and that what had happened in Cyprus was not a revolution, but “an invasion Iby Greece] which violated the independence and the sovereignty of~the Republic” [/7801/t ~~c~irr~, /~tr. IX]. 62. In connection with the missing-persons issue, I should like to state the following. Unfortunately, we have witnessed once again that what is a humanitarian issue for the Turkish Cypriots is a political one for the Greek Cypriots. That is simply because of the fact that the Greek Cypriot side has chosen to politicize and exploit this issue for its propaganda purposes, and, as a result, the issue is still unsolved and is being prolonged at the expense of the families concerned. 63. The draft resolution on missing persons adopted on 4 December by the Third Committee’ has caused the Turkish Cypriot side to question the integrity of the Greek Cypriots in any direct negotiations between the two communities. Unless the obstacles of this draft resolution are removed, the Turkish Cypriot side regrets that it will have to review its position on the autonomous Committee on Missing Persons, which it fought so hard to establish earlier this year. The President of the Turkish Federated State of Kibris. Mr. Rauf Denktag, made the following statement on the subject: “The United Nations Third Committee draft resolution of 4 December has dealt a serious blow to the principle of intercommunal agreement forming the basis of the efforts to solve the missing-persons issue, as well as to the work of the Committee on Missing Persons, set up on the basis of that principle. “The Turkish Cypriot community, which has not spared its constructive efforts and co-operation in the setting up of this Committee. considered its establishment as a concrete sign that all outstanding matters of disagreement between the two cornmunities could be solved through mutual agreement and through constructive and goodwill talks and was very gratified with this. “The consequences of a violation of the principle of a secrecy both inherent and explicitly laid down in the Committee’s terms of reference is a very -serious matter, and the United Nations itself knows by whom, when and how this principle of secrecy was violated. “In a statement made by the United Nations on 10 November, it is abundantly clear, through the words ‘which functions autonomously’, that the Committee has an autonomous character. The draft resolution adopted by the Third Committee has, to say the least, damaged the autonomous character of the Committee on Missing Persons; this has also been oficially confirmed by United Nations circles. - “The development has entirely eroded the fundamental principles on which the Committee on Missing Persons had been built. The development manifest in the draft resolution adopted by the United NationsThird Committee is so important and serious as to compel the Turkish Cypriot community to review its stand on the missing-persons issue. -“The Turkish Cypriot community demands the removal of the obstacles brounht bv the Third Committee draft resolution so that themissing-persons issue can be settled by the tripartite Committee on the basis of the existing agreementbetween the two communities. “Pending the satisfactory and convincing removal of these obstacles, the Turkish Cypriot side hAs decided to reserve its right to reconsider the work of the Committee on Missing PersonS. “The Turkish Cypriot community is determined to foil this harmful trick of the Greek Cypriots which seeks to exploit the missing-persons issue purely for propaganda purposes. “The Greek Cypriot intrigue in the United Nations Third Committee has clearly shown that they have not attained the will and maturity to solve the problems in dispute between the two communities by peaceful means and on the basis of intercommunal agreements. “The aspect of the Third Committee draft resolution which encourages us has been the sympathetic 64. The fact that the Cyprus problem is a mattei veyed unofficially to the leaders of the two combetween the two communities and that ajust and lasting munitirs on 22 October and officially to the intersoiution to it can be found only through intercommunal locutors on 18 November, and while it wits necessary talks held on an equal footing has been widely accepted for Turkey and Greece to encourage the two com- = by the world community. In fact, of all the States munities in Cyprus to continue the talks and while Members that referred to the question of Cyprus in the Turkey, for its part, had done so, it is regrettable to course of the general debate ot the thirty-sixth session observe that Greece, far from encouraging the Greek -~of Ihe General Assembly, nearly every one empha- Cypriots to continue the talks, has on the contrary sized the intercommunal character of the Cyprus adopted an attitude that would encourage the Greek -problem and contirmed that the intercommunal talks Cypriots to abandon the process of the talks. emwere the only available method for achieving a political solution. In their statements, the Foreign Ministersalso 70. The Turkish Cypriot side, whatever comes from --expressed their satisfaction at the fact thut the inter- Greek circles, is determined lo continue sincerely and cotn~nu~~~l talks had been going on without a break fol constructively to do all it can to keep the process of the over a yearand that they bud reached a decisive stage. intercommunal talks alive despite the unconstructive attitude of the other side. The recent statements of ~-65. In paragraph 56 of his report the Secretary- President Denktag to this effect are clear-prc!of of the General slates, regarding the constructive developgoodwill of the Turkish Cypriot side. ments which had taken place in the intercommunal talks, 71. In concluding, I should like to pay a tribute and to ~~ ~___~~-~~ extend our hearfelt gratitude, on behalf of my Presi- ~~~ “It is my hope that consideration of the ‘evaluadent, my Government, my community and myself, to tion’ paper at the intercommunal talks will tnark the the retiring Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, fol beginnirof a new and fruitful phase in the long the dedicated, untiring efforts and personal sacrifices search for a negotratcd settlement. As I have pointed he made towards a peaceful solution of the problem of out in my previous reports to the General Assembly, Cyprus. We wish him and Mrs. Waldheim the best in there is no alternative to a concrete and effective their future endeavours. negotiating process if a mutually acceptable, just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem is to be 72. I should like also to extend to Mr. Javier P@rez achiev,ed. While the intercommunal talks represent, de CuelIar our heartfelt congratulations on the unanin my view, the bcs; available method for pursuing imous recommendation of his candidature by the this process, t!le evaluation paper constitutes a Council to the General Assembly as the next Secretarydetermined effort to lend structure and substance to General and to wish him every success in his exalted it. It will be for the nartics to avail themselves cfthe and difficult task. opportunities for Fruitful negotiations that have n:)w been offered to them.” 73. 1 should like to take this opportunit) to express my deepest gratitude for his laudable and untiring 66, The Turkish Cypriot side has supported the efforts in the search for ajust and lasting solution of the efforts of the Secretary-General in connection with Cyprus problem and to assure him of the continuation the new ideas referred IO in his report. Furthermore, of the fullest co-operation of the Turkish Cypriot side we have accepted the “evaluation” paper as the framein his future efforts in this regard. I am confident that work and the basis for the intercoliiliitilliII negotiations. his wise guidance and wealth of experience will greatly But the Greek and tii’cek Cypriot side is doing its contribute towards the achievement ofglohal peace and utmost to prevent the Secretary-General‘s evaluation security and foster more harmonious intcrnationol paper as a whole from being considered as the framerelations for the prosperity of mankind as a whole. work and the basis of the negotiations. 74. The PRESIDENT: The next speaker is the representative of Turkey, on whom 1 now call. 67. There is no doubt whatsoever that it was the presentation at the intercommunal talks by the Turkish 75. Mr. KIRCA (Turkey) fOrrc,r,/),,c~ltrrio,r ,/i~~rt Cypriot side on 5 August of concrete and compre- /+c~rch): Mr. President. allow me at the very beginning hensivc proposals. including a man of the territory, of my statement to convey to you my warmest conwhich basically contributed to the talks reaching such a gratulations, since from the heginningofthis month you constructive phase. have assumed the office of President of the Council. regard to t!le activities of the Council. Nor can I fail determined effort to lend structure and substance to to convey my gratitude for your very -skilful and 4. It will be for the parties to avail themselves of Ihc impartial conduct of the consultations that YOU SO opportunities for fruitful negotiations that have now elegantly guided. been offered to them.” 79. On instructions I’rom my Goverllment, I wish lo inform the Council thut Turkey entirely shares the view expressed by the Secl,cl;lry-(icllel’al in ihal paragr’uph. My Ciovernment~is ils0 huppy tht. us has just bCCl1 repeated by Mr, Nail Atalay, representative of the Federated Turkish State oi’ Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot community suppotis this position of the Secretary-General and proposes that the evaluation paper should henceforth constitute the framework for and the basis of intercommunal negotiations. The Turkish Government gives its whole-hearted support to this proposal of the Turkish Cypriot community and hopes that the other party will accept without delay the whole of this paper and the ideas to which it refers as the framework. for and basis of intercommunal 70. This meeting3f ihc Council is being held at a lime when the intercommunal ncl:otiations between the ‘I’urkish ;wtl Greek communities in Cyprus have reached it WLICiiII stogc. following lhc 16 months of uninterrupted talks. Whatever may have been the difficulties encountered in the course of these negotiations, the responsibility cannot be ascribed to the Turkish side, which, thanks to its spirit of compromise and its political will to reach a just and lasting solution of the conflict, was able to prevent any breaking-off of the dialogue. Indeed, in the view of the Turkish Government, the intercommunal negotiations constitute not only the best, but also the sole, means of bringing a!)out a just and lasting solution of the Cyprus queAtjq!i. talks. ~~ ~~ 77. My Government is particularly happy to share this conviction with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. My Government believes, furthermore, that this is the general feeling of the members of the Council. In this regard, I should like to say how much the patience, perseverance and sagacity of the Secretary- General and his Special Representative, Mr. Hugo Gobbi. played a vital role in preserving the dialogue and helping to promote its progress. 80. In spite of the official submission of this evaluation paper by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, it is disheartening to note that the other side, instead of reflecting on this historic opportunity being offered to the two communities by the Secreiary- General, remains tempted by polemics and by methods which can be aimed only at a totally illusory self-satisfaction. Furthermore, we note unfortunately that fol some weeks now there has been a growing surge of encouragement which it has been receiving along these lines from the country which supports it. The unleashing of feelings, the rhetorical condemnation mentioned today by the Secretary-General, the negation of realities and a refusal to compromise have never been useful in an intelligent search for a solution to disputes. It is high thne to remember this. 78. I have just said that the intercommunal negotiations have reached a crucial point. First of all, the Turkish Cypriot community presented on 5 August a comprehensive plan which no one can deny ccntains the elements of important concessions. That comprehensive plan was a set of proposals open to discussion, as has always been stressed by representatives ofthe Turkish Cypriot community. It should be l,uinied out that our approach did not meet with an adequate response from the other side which could have been interpreted as a real effort towards rurppr’oc,/tc~l,r(~~~/. It was at that time that the Secretary-General decided to draw up an evaluation of the dialogue that had taken place hitherto and deemed that “evaluation” to be an appropriate opportunity for injecting certain ideas and suggestions into the negotiating process, in keeping with his good-offices mission. That highly important development is commented on in paragraph 56 of the Secretary~.General’s report as follows: 81, We should also understand, after so much trouble, that even a massive effort at continuous propaganda based 011 the systematic alteration of the facts and the deliberate distortion of fundamental concepts of iniernational law cannot obscure the truth indefinitely. For my Government’s part, we await calmly, with tranquillity and patience, for a return to reason on the part of the negotiating partner of the Greek Cypriot community to the intercommunal negotiating table, and we very much hope that that party will not lose what I have already described as a historic opportunity offered by the Secretary-General. “It is my hope that the consideration of the ‘evaluation’ paper at the intercommunal talks will mark the beginning of a new and fruitful phP-- in the long search for a negotiated settlement, As. nave pointed out in my previous reports to the General Assembly, there is no alternative to a concrete and effective negotiating process if a mutually accepta&, just 82. In this regard, I should like to add a few words which have become necessary. The Turkish Cypric;i side, to our knowledge, has never asked for partition of the island. It has never claimed an independent status. lt is merely claiming the status of a federated State. Tie other side should give up the t >pe that mill1d 111115 huffcr ilncc more every ‘possible and imag- 2niihlc IWdShi~~ illld suffering, and resign itself indefinitel) to the status of second-class citizens undct constunt political pressure and in conditions of economic and social. ~~dcrdcvelopment. That will ~CVCI Ilil~‘pcn ilgaill. X3. Permit me now to present our comments on ccrtuin parts of the report of the Secretary-General. 84. It is regrettable that the principle of the equality of the communities, a constituent element of the llepublic of Cyprus, is not respected in the wording used to designate the official personalities of the two communities. Furthermore, the administration of the ~~ -Greek Cypriot community is there described as the m-~“Governmcnt of Cyprus”, a status to which that administration has no claim. I wilt come back to this poinl when I come to present OLII comments on the resolution just adopted by the Council. X5. We also regret the reference in the same report to consultations and unofficial exchanges of views on -the subject of missing persons. Not only has the Turkish Cypriot community never participated in these so- ~allcd consultations and info&al exchanges of view, but it is above all difficult to understand how they could have taken place, since quite obviously-and <his, by the way, is acknowledged by the Secretary-Generatthis question falls within the exclusive province of the Committee on Missing Persons, an autonotnous intercommunal organ established on the basis of an intercommunal agreement, thanks to the good offices of the Secretary-General, which ended, andvery successfully 50, following the establishment aud setting up of that Committee. X6. The Committee on Missing Persons, as I said, is an autonomous intercommunal organ, as recognized by wt official communiqud of the United Nations%ffice at Nicosiu on 10 November last. Its proceedings and &liberations must be kept secret. This rule of secrecy ha!, been violated several times by the Greek Cypriot Iridc. Indeed, Father Christoforou divulged the text of the mandate on 30 October in the course of a press <onfcrencc. If the Greek Cypriot side really wai;ts to co-opcrnte with the Turkish Cypriot side in this Committcc, it must first of att respect the rule of secrecy. Furthermore. the Greek Cypriot side, for a month and a halfor IIWC. has boycottid the meetings of this Co:. mittcc. Before referr’ing the matter to other forums, the (ireck Cypriot side must come and attend meetings of the C’ommittce. X7. As to the resolution adopted by the Third Committee. it is null end valid simply because. irrro cc/kc, it call> upon tttc Geneli!l Assembly to take :I decision wt n text or intcrcommunnl agreement which is secret, of which it knows nothing, and of which it is not cntitlcd IO know. I 89. Therein reside the true nature and the sole origin of the Cyprus conflict. Indeed, if the provisions of ihe Constitution and of the treaties had been respected, if theTurkish Cypriot community had not been prevented from exercisinfi its constitutional rights and if it had not been constantly persecuted, th&e would bc no Turkish troops on the island today. Because of theit continual attack against the Consiitution and against its Basic Articles, which are at the same time rules of international law, the leaders of the Greek Cypriot community have placed themselves in the position of usurpers of the title of “Government of Cyprus”. Turkey does not recognize that status as belonging to them, and in any case it is in no way in keeping with the current situation, where two quite distinct communal administrations each govern their own community~. 90. The Republic of Cyprus will have a legal and legitimate government only when, through the intercommunal negotiations, the state of affairs guaranteed by international treaty, that is, the bi-communal essence of the Republic, is restored, this time by being reflected in institutions and in arrangements which will render absolutely impossible any conceivable assault upon the principle of the equality of the two communities. This is nossible onlv in a Cveriot republic based upon the equality of the two comr&ities, breek and Turkish. each with its federated State, in a biregional and federal framework. It would also be desirable for the federal government thus established to choose non-alignment of its own free will. In this regard, I should like once again to stress the content of my letter of 14 April last [S//#&j, 91. These are the overriding reasons why the third preambular paragraph of the resolution just adopted remains unacceptable to Turkey, 92. I should also like to inform the Council that the various reservations expressed and the positions adopted by Turkey on the texts mentioned in this resolution have not been changed and remain equally valid for the resolution adopted today. 93. Membe.s will undoubtedly recall that in the course of the consultations they conducted on the item under consideration my Government supported the view of the Federated Turkish State of Cyprus ~whercby the important devclopmcnts which have ‘occurred since (he conclusion of the high-level agree- :menl of 1979 should be reflected in the text of the resolution. 94. The reopening of the intercommunal negotiations did take place thanks to the prelitninary statement of .the Secretary-General of9 August 1980. That statement contains supulementarv elements of vital imt~ortance which 11ow ddnstitutc one of the bases for these negotiations. The Turkish Government fails to understand why a reference to that statement has been excluded. Nevet’- -theless. my Government reiterates its view that that statement constitutes one of the bases for tltese negotiations. -95. It is even more discotlccrting not to find in the resolution just adopted any encouragement for the two comtnunities along the lines of paragraph 56 of the report of the Secretary-General. 96.- However, my Government does not hold the members of the Council responsible for these highly regrettable omissions. We are well awarr of the source of the opposition and the true reasons for it. 97. -1 therefore call upon the Greek Cypriot side to negotiate seriously with the Turkish Cypriot side on the basis of the Secretary-General’s evaluation before seeking to come before the General Assembly in the hope of obtaining doubtful satisfaction and poisoning relations between the two communities in order to find :I pretext for leaving the intercommunal negotiating table. 98. The resolution extends the stationing of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus for an addhional six-month period. Since Mr. Nail Alalay, representative of the Federated Turkish State of Cyprus, has just informed the Council of the consent of his aulhorities, the Turkish Government, for its part, gives its consent to this renewal. However. I should like to draw the attention of the Council to the request made by the representative -If the Federated Turkish State of Cyprus, as he has already done several times on similar occasions before the Council, that the mandate of thul Force. which was drafted in 1964, should be revised 10 bring il into line with the conditions actually prevailing in Cyprus. The Turkish Government fully supports this request. 99. Before concluding. 1 cannot fail to discllargc ;I n101.:11 duty, that of whole-heartedly thanking the Secrctary-General md his Special Representative in Cyprus, Mr. Gobbi, for their ceaseless and patient efforts towards bringing about ;I just and klStillg solution lo Ihe Cyprus question. Their understanding of a11 extremely complex and delicate tnatter. the impartiality and sincerity of their actions and the determination they have displayed in this task have now created for us a historic opportunity. This opportunity should not be undertnined by opportunistic political considerations. The opportunity musl be seized. The last appeal which you yourself, Mr. Secretary-General, issued to ;he interested parties will, I may assure you, be heeded by Turkey, 100. Finally, it is my duty to express once again the gratitude of my Government to the States which contribute to the United Nations Force in Cyprus and to the brave officers, non-cotnmissioned officers and soldiers of that Force, as well as IO the civilian personnel attached to it,

I now call upon the Secretary-General, who wishes to tnake a few remarks,

1 much appreciated the kind and thoughtful words addressed to me by the representatives who have spoken in this debate. 103. We have worked hard together in the cause of Cyprus, and I very tnuch hope our efforts will be successful.

The representative of Cyprus has asked 10 speak in exercise~of the right of reply, and I now call upon ttbm

As the represcntative of Turkey untiringly persists in his soliloquy with reference to the Government of Cyprus in Securitv Council resolutions, I consider it peithient to advisk him to reread rules 37 and 39 of the arovisional rules of procedure of the Council, the first of which deals with the participation of States Members and the latter with the supplying of infortnation by such persons as Mr. Atalay, He might perhaps also advise Mr. Atalay not to abuse his six-monthly appearance before this Council as he did today. 106. I also deem it necessary to draw the attention of the representative ofTurkey to paragraph 2 of Security Council resolution 367 (19751, in which the Council regretted the unilateral decision of 13 February 1975 declaring that a part of the Republic of Cyprus would becotne a Federated Turkish State. NW I-S