Talks continue, UNFICYP funding changed - UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus - United Nations developments

UN Chronicle, Sept, 1993

A new round of joint talks between the leaders of the two communities - the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots - was held in New York from 24 May to 1 June. Begun in the summer of 1992, the talks are under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

The Security Council President and its five permanent members - China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States - attended the talks for the first time, together with the Secretary-General's new Special Representative for Cyprus, former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark, appointed on 21 May.

The Council on 11 June, as it extended the mandate of the UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 15 December 1993, called on both sides to the conflict in that country to carry forward, expeditiously and constructively, the intercommunal talks.

The negotiations are being held on the basis of the set of ideas put forward by the Secretary-General and endorsed by the Council in resolution 774 (1992) of 26 August. These include a list of confidence-building measures, including arrangements for reopening Nicosia International Airport and reopening the vacant city of Varosha under UN administration.

In unanimously adopting resolution 839 (1993), the Council asked the Secretary-General to report on progress in the current round of talks and to continue his good offices mission, and called upon all the parties concerned to continue to cooperate with UNFICYP on the basis of the present mandate.

Support was expressed for the Secretary-General's recommendation in his 9 June report (S/25912) that both sides take reciprocal measures to lower the tension, including mutual commitments through UNFICYP, not to deploy along the cease-fire lines live ammunition or weapons other than those which are hand-held and to prohibit the firing of weapons within sight or hearing of the buffer zone.

Change funding

procedure

On 27 May, in resolution 831 (1993), the Council had decided that UNFICYP's costs not covered by voluntary contributions should be financed by Member States through assessed contributions.

The Secretary-General had reported on 9 June that extending UNFICYP's mandate through 15 December would cost the Organization an estimated $22.5 million, $12.5 million of which was expected to be financed from voluntary contributions. The remaining $10 million would be sought from the General Assembly. UNFICYP was previously funded entirely by troop contributors and through voluntary contributions to cover their extra and extraordinary expenses. Since the Force's inception in 1964, it accumulated a deficit of $200 million and has persistently been in financial difficulties, due to insufficient voluntary contributions.

The Secretary-General called the Council's decision on UNFICYP financing a "landmark", not only because it assured financial stability, but also because it acknowledged the importance of voluntary contributions for some peace-keeping operations.

He added: "This decision will put the financing of UNFICYP on an equitable and sound basis, which should resolve the difficulties the Force has experienced in retaining troop contributors."

Reduce Force strength

The Council, also in resolution 831, decided that UNFICYP should be restructured to the minimum number of infantry battalions required to maintain effective control of the buffer zone, adding a few observers for reconnaissance. A comprehensive reassessment, to be made by December 1993, should include "the implications of progress on confidence-building measures and towards a political settlement for the future of the Force". It should also include possible progressive steps towards an observer force.

The Council underlined the responsibility of the parties for minimizing tension and facilitating UNFICYP's operation by implementing confidence-building measures, including a significant reduction in the number of foreign troops and in defence spending in Cyprus.

Mr. Boutros-Ghali said the restructuring of UNFICYP, following successive reductions in strength, had major implications for the two parties in Cyprus. Greater responsibility rested with them for ensuring that there was no increase in tension and that conditions could be maintained for a speedy overall agreement as envisaged by the Council.

The two sides must exercise maximum restraint, he said, and extend without delay the 1989 unmanning agreement to all parts of the buffer zone where their forces were in close proximity.

Russian veto

On 11 May, the Russian Federation had vetoed a draft resolution, sponsored by the United Kingdom, by which the Council would have decided to treat UNFICYP's costs as UN expenses funded through assessed contributions. The vote was 14 to 1, with no abstentions.

The Russian Federation said it did not consider it "timely" to extend mandatory financing to UNFICYP, which up to then had been entirely paid for on a voluntary basis. Voluntary financing for peace-keeping operations should not be rejected altogether as an option, it added.