CYPRUS: GUIDANCE FOR DECEMBER 9 SECURITY COUNCIL

UNCLAS STATE 125212 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS GR TU CY UK SUBJECT: CYPRUS: GUIDANCE FOR DECEMBER 9 SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ¶1. (U) This is an action request: USUN is instructed to draw from the points below during UN Security Council consultations on Cyprus scheduled for December 9, 2009. ¶2. (U) Begin points: I would like to thank Special Advisor Downer and Special Representative Zerihoun for your briefings and welcome you back to the Council. I would also like to thank you for your efforts on behalf of the UN to assist the Cypriot people in their pursuit of a comprehensive settlement. I would like to make the following four points: First, the United States fully supports the settlement process. We agree that this process must continue to be Cypriot-led. However, the UN plays a critical support role in the process,through the Good Offices Mission, and we welcome the Secretary-General's efforts to facilitate reunification into a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. The parties also need strong Council and international support where possible as they prepare to make what will surely be difficult compromises. We commend the work of Mr. Downer and his team to facilitate this process. We are behind you. Second, UN involvement will be especially important as the negotiations enter their more difficult stages in the coming weeks and months. We commend Mr. Downer,s recent intensified involvement on the island and would welcome a push for an additional series of back to back negotiating sessions to fully exploit the window of opportunity at hand. The increased frequency of talks has contributed to the achievement of convergence in some areas, but also to agreements on a schedule for future meetings, which help to ensure that the current momentum can be maintained. Third, we agree with the Secretary-General that the negotiations cannot be viewed as a zero-sum game if they are to be successful ) both sides will gain in a united Cyprus. An informed public can more easily lend its support to the settlement negotiations and the later implementation of a peace agreement. Public participation and engagement regarding efforts to reach a solution are crucial. The Council can show its support by welcoming progress such as was achieved with the June 26, 2009 agreement to open the Limnitis/Yesilirmak crossing. The United States has pledged $900,000 in support of the implementation of this agreement and urges other member states to lend their support, as well. Fourth, the United States fully supports an extension of UNFICYP,s mandate for six months. UNFICYP plays an important role on the island, especially through its confidence building activities which contribute to the stability of the buffer zone and to overall UN efforts in support of the settlement negotiations. We look forward to the next reports of the Secretary-General, including as the Council noted in its previous resolution, contingency planning in relation to the settlement talks. Mr. President, the United States continues to stand ready with the international community to assist in whatever way we can in support of the parties, efforts to reach a just and lasting settlement that reunifies Cyprus into a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation. CLINTON