Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE43041
2009-04-28 21:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

CYPRUS - GUIDANCE FOR APRIL 30 SECURITY COUNCIL

Tags:  PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS GR TU CY UK 
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VZCZCXYZ0010
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3041 1182158
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 282139Z APR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 5843
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS IMMEDIATE 0199
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA IMMEDIATE 5080
UNCLAS STATE 043041 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS GR TU CY UK
SUBJECT: CYPRUS - GUIDANCE FOR APRIL 30 SECURITY COUNCIL
CONSULTATIONS

UNCLAS STATE 043041

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS GR TU CY UK
SUBJECT: CYPRUS - GUIDANCE FOR APRIL 30 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 April 30, 2009.


2. (U) Begin points:

-- Thank you Mr. President. I would like to welcome Special
Advisor Downer to the Council and thank you for your briefing
today and for your strong support for Cypriot-led efforts to
reach a comprehensive settlement.

-- Mr. Downer, I was greatly encouraged to hear the optimism
you expressed that the two sides are taking advantage of this
unique opportunity in time to reach a lasting and durable
settlement. Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat have made
commendable progress since these negotiations began. Both
leaders have obviously placed great emphasis, personally,
politically and publicly, on reaching an end to the impasse.
As a result of their leadership, the Cypriot communities are
moving closer to mutual agreement to resolve long-standing
differences.

-- Both leaders have also continued to project public signals
of goodwill and unity that are essential to the success of
the negotiations, such as through the recently announced
confidence building measures (ambulance crossings, water
conservation, cultural preservation, and criminal
intelligence sharing). Agreement and commitment to make
decisive progress on implementation of these and other
measures will be required.

-- We also take very much to heart your reminder that a
resolution lies with the communities themselves. It is
essential to provide the two leaders the negotiating room
they need to find a solution that makes sense for Cypriots.
At the same time, we must also recognize that there will be
some difficult give and take in the next phase of
negotiations, and the negotiations run the risk of getting
bogged down in arguments about the past, instead of looking
to the future. The leaders will need all of our support and
encouragement to focus on what will best allow Cyprus to move
forward, including by seriously considering what compromises
may be necessary to bring the talks to a successful
conclusion.

-- The Cyprus conflict is one of the longest-standing
questions that have seized this Council. We have tried many
times to find our way toward a solution, only to have the
process stall. We therefore understand the need to avoid
establishing a rigid timeline and unrealistic expectations.
But we must balance our caution about proceeding too quickly
with a sense of urgency. We truly do have an unprecedented
opportunity here, and we should not let it pass. If there
are ways to increase the momentum during this next phase,
then we should consider them, so that the two sides can fully
exploit this opportunity. I would welcome any further
thoughts Mr. Downer would want to provide about how the
Council can help in keeping up the momentum.

-- Mr. President, as President Obama recently stated, the two
Cypriot leaders have an opportunity through their commitment
to negotiations under the United Nations Good Offices
Mission. The United States is willing to offer all the help
sought by the parties as they work toward a just and lasting
settlement that reunifies Cyprus into a bizonal and
bicommunal federation.
CLINTON