A/SYG ANNABI BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001158 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC CY UNFICYP SUBJECT: A/SYG ANNABI BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON UNFICYP REPORT ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In Security Council consultations on June 2, A/SYG Annabi briefed Council members on the latest report on UNFICYP and reiterated the Secretariat's position that the situation on Cyprus is not yet ripe for another political mission aimed at final resolution of the conflict. A/SYG Annabi noted, however, that U/SYG Gambari would likely visit Cyprus and the region in July to assess the situation again. In national comments, most Council members expressed support for Gambari's upcoming trip and SRSG Moller's current approach and thirteen of them explicitly called for the renewal of UNFICYP's current mandate that expires June 15 for a period of six months. End Summary. A/SYG Annabi Briefs on Report and U/SYG Gambari's Trip -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In June 2 UNSC consultations, A/SYG Annabi of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations briefed Council members on the SYG's latest report on UNFICYP. In his briefing, Annabi pointed to the increase in the number of incidents along the cease-fire line in the past six months, but echoing the logic of the SYG's latest report, Annabi said that this was largely due to UNFICYP's new, mobile concept of operations that draws the force into closer contact with the two sides. He also reiterated the report's call on the two sides to participate in consultations on the 1989 Aide Memoire so as to resolve differences over defining the buffer zone. Annabi also noted that Papadopoulos and Talat had both called during the reporting period for the resumption of a Mission of Good Offices. Annabi explained, however, that the SYG had decided following his February meeting with President Papadopoulos and a subsequent phone call to Talat that the situation was not yet ripe for a new mission. Annabi also noted U/SYG Gambari's tentative July trip to both the island and the region to assess the political situation and prospects for resumption of a political mission and made reference to the installation of the third member of the Committee on Missing Persons, which might coincide with Gambari's July trip. Comments by UNSC Members: UK, Slovakia, US, Japan and Denmark -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) In national comments, the UK Permrep noted that the demarcation of the cease-fire line was an important issue, on which UNFICYP's authority should be respected. The UK also noted that both sides needed to cooperate on the Ledra incident and that the addition of a new member of the Committee on Missing Persons was an important development that could lead to a meeting between Papadopoulos and Talat. The lack of significant evolution in the parties' positions was regrettable and it would be necessary to narrow the gap between words and deeds. Moller's proposed technical discussions might be a good way to pave the way forward to resuming a political process, though they should not be seen as a substitute for that process. The UK was supportive of a rollover of UNFICYP's mandate. ¶4. (SBU) Slovakia argued in favor of extending UNFICYP's mandate for another six months and for firmly preparing the ground before another political mission is launched, pointing to U/SYG Gambari's visit as the next step. Slovakia also stated that it was prepared to continue facilitating bi-communal leaders' meetings in Ledra Palace. Speaking for the U.S., Ambassador Sanders noted that in the absence of a political solution, incidents like Ledra would continue to take place. Ambassador Sanders also voiced U.S. support for UNFICYP's call for consultations on the 1989 Aide Memoire and Gambari's trip in the hope it would activate the status quo and lead to a solution to the problem at long last. Japan said it had sent experts to Cyprus recently who had concluded that with the passing of time there would be a lower chance of a mutually-agreed solution because the two communities were growing farther apart and younger persons in the communities were less inclined to favor co-existence. Japan asserted that this could affect Moller's prospects for progress and asked for Gambari to conduct a review taking into account the facts on the ground. In it statement, Japan did not explicitly endorse renewal of UNFICYP's mandate. Denmark echoed the calls of others for both sides to trust UNFICYP's judgment and also called for an extension of the current mandate. Greek and Russian Comments -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Greece argued that UNFICYP was indispensable in Cyprus because of the core security problem of the Turkish presence on the island and supported extension of UNFICYP's mandate under the new concept of operations. Greece also USUN NEW Y 00001158 002 OF 002 noted concern over the recent increased number of security incidents, "feelings of increased tension" and new Turkish incursions into the buffer zone. Russia's Permrep argued the importance of maintaining the UN presence in Cyprus for another six months and noted that the situation along the cease-fire line was still tense. Russia supported efforts by Moller to promote dialogue between the two communities. Despite UN protests, the Turkish Cypriots were still not allowing UN peacekeepers their full rights, he asserted. BOLTON