SRSG ZERIHOUN BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON UNFICYP

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SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL CY UNSC
SUBJECT: SRSG ZERIHOUN BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON UNFICYP


1. (SBU) Summary: UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)
SRSG Taye-Brook Zerihoun reported to the Security Council on
June 9 on recent developments on Cyprus. He said that since
the election of President Christofias in February there is a
new spirit of cooperation on the island and Christofias and
Turkish Cypriot leader Talat have launched a "credible
process" for resolution of the Cyprus problem. He
anticipated that the parties would move to formal talks soon
and said the SYG has already taken steps toward the
appointment of a special adviser. Zerihoun warned, however,
that increased use of the media as a negotiating tool
recently is a negative development. He underscored that the
continued involvement of the Security Council in the Cyprus
problem is critical and said the prospects for a sustainable
settlement have never been better. UK Deputy Permrep Pierce
said the UK "stands solidly behind the May 23 statement that
Cyprus will be composed of two constituent states of equal
status." Russian Deputy Permrep Dolgov said that as the
settlement process moves forward we should "not impose
recipes for arbitration." Ambassador Khalilzad said that we
look forward to the two leaders' next meeting in the second
half of June and hope the technical committees and working
groups will increase the pace of their work before then. End
Summary.

SRSG Zerihoun Delivers First Briefing To UNSC
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2. (SBU) In his first appearance before the Security Council,
UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) SRSG Taye-Brook
Zerihoun reported on June 9 on the main developments over the
reporting period. He said that since the election of
President Christofias in February there is a new spirit of
cooperation on the island and Christofias and Turkish Cypriot
leader Talat have seized the moment to launch a "credible
process" for resolution of the Cyprus problem. He said that
on May 23, the leaders had agreed on a common vision as a
basis for negotiations and an endgame for the peace process,
reaffirming their commitment to a bi-zonal, bi-communal
federation with political equality and a federal government
with a single international personality with Greek Cypriot
and Turkish Cypriot states of equal status. Zerihoun said
both leaders had shown strong leadership and made bold
concessions, being firm against their own naysayers. Both
leaders had also "made steps for one another," said Zerihoun,
"as they are aware of the other's limitations and we cannot
underestimate the importance of their personal chemistry."


3. (SBU) Zerihoun said "it is expected that the working
groups and technical committees will draw on a considerable
body of work from the past decade" because if the groups can
narrow the gaps in positions now then the two leaders will
need to do less in high-level negotiations later. Zerihoun
anticipated that the parties would make sufficient progress
in the current preparatory phase of negotiations to move to
formal talks and said that SYG Ban has already taken steps
toward the appointment of a special adviser. Zerihoun also
stressed that direct contact with the Turkish Cypriot
community will benefit all Cypriots, saying "it is argued
that greater economic and social parity between the sides
will facilitate reunification and make it more likely."
Zerihoun warned, however, that increased use of the media as
a negotiating tool recently on the island is a negative
development. He underscored that the continued involvement
of the Security Council in the Cyprus problem is critical and
said the prospects for a sustainable settlement have never
been better.

Statements By Security Council Members
--------------


4. (SBU) UK Deputy Permrep Pierce praised recent progress on
Cyprus and said "the UK stands solidly behind the May 23
statement that Cyprus will be composed of two constituent
states of equal status." Pierce also stressed the necessity
of rules-based management of the buffer zone and called for
all to support UNFICYP's 1989 aide memoire on this subject.


5. (SBU) Russian Deputy Permrep Dolgov said he believed the
working groups and technical committees would be productive
and provide a good basis for the resumption of talks. He
stressed that as the process moves forward we should learn
lessons from the past and "not impose recipes for arbitration
that one or more of the parties will reject." Chinese Deputy
Permrep Liu expressed satisfaction with the prevailing
atmosphere on Cyprus and progress this year, saying China

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appreciated the courage of Christofias and political will
demonstrated by both leaders. He added that China supports
the appointment of a special adviser.


6. (SBU) French Deputy Permrep Lacroix said that since the
March 21 meeting of the two leaders there has been a real
spirit of hope. He commented that the goal for Cyprus is a
federal state based on Security Council resolutions and that
we have seen that "when political will is present we can
overcome the problems of the past."


7. (SBU) Ambassador Khalilzad praised recent positive
developments on Cyprus including the March 21 and May 23
meetings between the leaders and the re-opening of Ledra
Street crossing. He said that we look forward to the two
leaders' next meeting in the second half of June and hope the
technical committees and working groups will increase the
pace of their work before then. He concluded that with two
pro-unification leaders in place, 2008 is a time of real
opportunity for progress towards a comprehensive settlement.





Khalilzad