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Published by The Wall Street Journal, September 30, 2004

UN's Annan Recommends Fewer UN Peacekeepers For Cyprus

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

UNITED NATIONS (AP)--The U.N. should reduce its roughly 1,200-strong peacekeeping force in Cyprus and expand the ranks of the small international police force, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan recommended in a report Thursday re-examining the force's mandate in the bitterly divided Mediterranean island country.

The report follows a resolution adopted by the U.N. Security Council in June extending the mandate of the U.N. Force in Cyprus through mid-December and giving the thumbs-up for a review of the force's mandate, levels and operations.

It said that in the absence of a comprehensive settlement, the presence of U.N. peacekeepers on the island "remains necessary for the maintenance of the cease-fire, and to foster conditions conducive to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem."

But Annan said he agreed with an earlier review and recommended a reduction in the U.N. mission's military component "to 860 ... including up to 40 military observers/liason officers."

He recommended that the council extend the force's mandate for six months, to June 2005.

Since a 1974 invasion by Turkey, Cyprus has been divided into the Greek Cypriot controlled south and the Turkish Cypriot occupied north. The invasion was sparked by an abortive coup by supporters of union with Greece.

Greek and Turkish Cypriots were under strong pressure to approve a U.N. reunification plan so that a united Cyprus could join the European Union on May 1.

But Greek Cypriots voted overwhelmingly against the plan in an April 24 referendum, apparently regarding it as providing insufficient security against the Turkish military presence on the island. Turkish Cypriots voted heavily for the plan in a separate, simultaneous referendum.

Annan was deeply disappointed with the Greek Cypriot rejection and criticized Cypriot President Tasos Papadopoulos' role in the campaign for a "no" vote in the referendum.

Papadopoulos disputed that assessment, instead accusing Annan of breaking international law and reporting on the island with glaring inaccuracy.

The latest report, which will be presented to the Security Council in October, said there was little sign of improvement in official contacts between both sides.

Annan said the situation on the ground remained tense, citing an Aug. 27 bombing in a Greek Orthodox church in the Turkish-occupied part of the island which was empty at the time. The attack came days before a planned service which hundreds of Greek Cypriots were planning to attend.

The secretary-general said an increase in the international police force should be undertaken "within the current authorized strength." There are about 45 international police officers currently in Cyprus.

The revamped military and police units will enable the U.N. mission to carry out its mandate in "the changed environment," he said, and the U.N. operation may be further transformed after a review before the the end of the mandate in mid-2005.



Volume 6 Number 40 - Tuesday, October 4th, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY