TRNC DEPUTY PRIME MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS’ STATEMENT REGARDING THE LATEST UN SECURITY COUNCIL DECISION

In the statement, the TRNC Deputy Prime MInistry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that in the UN Security Council’s decision to extend the UNFICYP mandate, referring to the Greek Cypriot administration as the “Cyprus Government” could not be accepted.

In the related statement in which criticism has been directed towards several issues of the decision, it was noted that there was no need to include works of the The Committee on Missing Persons, which has become active as a result of the sincere intentions of the Turkish Cypriot side, in the Resolution concerning the Peace Keeping Force.

It was stated in the statement that partial reflection of constructive and solution oriented approach of the Turkish Cypriot side in the United Nations Security Council resolutions was considered as a positive development.

The full text of the statement is as follows:

“The mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has been extended for a further period of six months by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1604 adopted on 15 June 2005.

The said Resolution states that the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force has been extended with the consent of the so-called “Government of Cyprus”. The reference to the Greek Cypriot administration, which has usurped the legitimate government by force of arms since 1963 as “the Government”, is not acceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side.  It is a fact that the Greek Cypriot administration to which reference is made has sovereignty only over the South of the island and does not represent the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The preamble of Resolution 1604, calls upon the concerned parties to take immediate action on the issue of missing persons as in preceding Resolution 1568 of the UN Security Council. However, there is no reference to this issue in the report of the United Nations Secretary-General dated 6 June 2005 that constitutes a basis for such a call. As it is well known, the Committee on Missing Persons has become active as a result of the sincere intentions of the Turkish Cypriot side and has been speedily continuing its studies. Thus, it is clear that there was no need to refer to this issue in a resolution concerning the activities of the UNFICYP.

In addition, we find it difficult to understand the reasons behind the continuing references made to Security Council Resolution 1251 (1999).  Referring to a resolution adopted in 1999 while disregarding the UN Secretary-General’s report dated 28 May 2004 which includes important observations regarding the comprehensive settlement plan which had been prepared after lengthy negotiations with the contribution of all the concerned parties as well as the results of the simultaneous referenda held on both sides, do not conform with the recent developments and constructive goals for the future.

In addition, we consider the continuation of references made to the village of Akyar, which has no connection with the buffer zone and does not fall within the scope of the mission of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, as a baseless approach.  We consider the demand regarding Akyar as unjust and unnecessary.

On the other hand, it is well known that we, as the Turkish Cypriot side, have agreed to let the UN Peacekeeping Force carry out its mission in cooperation with our authorities within the framework of specified rules. In the light of the new developments on the island following the referenda, we consider it as a positive development that the amendments we have made to the rules to be observed by UNFICYP while conducting its mission on TRNC territories was reflected in the resolution.

It is known that UN Peacekeeping Force has been cooperating with both sides while conducting its duties, we consider the recording of the cooperation with both sides in the Resolution as an indication of the beginning of objective reporting.

The UN Security Council, in its Resolution, states its concern regarding the increase of crime affecting both sides on the Island and points out that cooperation between the two sides is necessary for the solution of this problem. It is well known that we called upon the Greek Cypriot administration several times with the aim of solving the problems which may arise due to the increase in crime rates. We hope that the Greek Cypriot side which refrained from cooperating with the Turkish Cypriot side until today shall change its stance in the face of this call of the UN Security Council and display a constructive approach.

We, as the Turkish Cypriot side, consider the beginning of the reflection of our cooperative and reconciliatory stance, in the UN Security Council Resolution as positive even if it is not completely impartial and are of the view that impartiality should prevail with regard to the Cyprus issue and will in turn contribute to the elimination of the problems between the two sides as well as assuring that the final solution of the problem will conform with the principles of justice.”

 

ASYLUM REQUEST OF A GREEK CYPRIOT MAN TO TRNC

A Greek Cypriot man, Themistoklis Georgiu has sought asylum in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Preparing a press conference at the Foreign Press Union, Mr. Georgiu explained hardships he has confronted in the South.

Mr. Georgiu said he has been unemployed since 1974 and added that the Greek Cypriot government was neither dealt with his health problems nor provided a wage.

During his speech, Mr. Georgiu said he has been living with his sister who has been cancer and added that the Greek Cypriot administration, which provided him a wage for 1.5 years, later on demanded this amount back that is equivalent to 43,000 Cyprus Pounds. Mr. Georgiu expressed that his sole demand is to live in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Later on, putting the TRNC flag in front of and the Turkish flag behind of his car, Themistoklis Georgiu went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he met with the Deputy Prime Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Political Advisor Kudret Akay.

In his statement made to the press after his meeting with Mr, Georgiu, Kudret Akay, pointing that Mr. Georgiou expressed his request to move to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to live here, said he informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the application.

Expressing that the Ministry of Health had also been informed about the issue and that a medical check-up will be made to Mr. Georgiu in the hospital, Akay said if a health problem found out during the check-up, he would be cured and added that Mr. Georgiu’ application will be evaluated at the forthcoming Council of Ministers.

Afterwards, Mr. Georgiu has been taken by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Lefkosa Burhan Nalbantoglu State Hospital for a medical check-up.