Cyprus: violent incidents deplored.

The Security Council on 23 December extended the mandate of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for a further six months, until 30 June 1997, and called on the leaders of both communities to create a climate of reconciliation and confidence.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1092 (1996), the Council reiterated that the status quo was unacceptable. It stressed its support for the Secretary-General's mission of good offices and the importance of the concerted efforts to work with him towards an overall comprehensive settlement.

The Council also deplored several violent incidents that took place on 11 and 14 August, 8 September and 15 October 1996, which resulted in the deaths of three Greek Cypriot civilians and one member of the Turkish Cypriot Security Forces, as well as injuries to civilians and UNFICYP personnel. It deplored, in particular, the "unnecessary and disproportionate" use of force by the Turkish/Turkish Cypriot side, as well as the largely passive role played by the Cypriot police in response to civilian demonstrations. Reiterating its concern about excessive levels of the expansion, upgrading and modernization of the military forces, and armaments in the country, the Council again called upon all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending and in the number of foreign troops on the island to help restore confidence between the parties, and as a first step towards the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces.

According to Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, in a 10 December report on UNFICYP, since June Cyprus "has seen a level of violence and an increase in tension along the cease-fire lines unparalleled since 1974". He warned the Security Council of "excessive levels of military forces and armaments in Cyprus and the rate at which they are being expanded, upgraded and modernized".

Tensions began to rise in early August and, on 11 August, a demonstration organized by a Cypriot motorcycle association turned violent. In that demonstration, as well as in a subsequent one on 14 August, UNFICYP sought unsuccessfully to prevent the demonstrators from entering the United Nations buffer zone. In ensuing clashes between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, a total of 19 UNFICYP soldiers were shot or injured.

UNFICYP, as an international peace-keeping operation, is interposed between the military forces of the two sides, and controlling the civilian population is the exclusive responsibility of the local authorities.

The violent incidents of August, which persisted into September and October, set the opposing forces on edge. On a number of occasions, both forces moved forward of their lines into the United Nations buffer zone and even attempted to restrict UNFICYP operations. Instances of firing of weapons also increased, although in most cases these consisted of negligent discharges. Along the entire buffer zone, but particularly in areas where the opposing forces were in close proximity to each other, a rise in instances of weapons being pointed or cocked, stone throwing and verbal abuse was also reported. In all occurrences, UNFICYP intervened with the military authorities on both sides to correct violations and prevent any escalation.

The report also said there was an increase in the number of incidents in which UNFICYP soldiers were actually threatened at gunpoint by soldiers of either side, and on four occasions UNFICYP personnel came under fire.

The Secretary-General said there was an urgent need for leaders on both sides to make a serious effort to reverse the negative trend of recent months and to lead their communities in a more positive direction. "In word and deed, efforts must be made to build trust and goodwill between the two sides."

Efforts Continue

A number of practical measures to reduce tension along the cease-fire lines have been proposed by UNFICYP, including measures to improve the living conditions of the Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the northern part, and removal of all impediments to the movement of people and increased contacts and communication between the two sides.

UNFICYP also continues to act as an intermediary between the two communities, to promote and facilitate bicommunal events in an effort to increase communication and cooperation between them, and to implement its humanitarian mandate in respect of Greek Cypriots and Maronites in the northern part of the island and of Turkish Cypriots in the southern part.