VZCZCXYZ0009
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #8177 3401341
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 051334Z DEC 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 4053
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 6511
RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 4606
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1049
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 4585
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2321
UNCLAS STATE 128177
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS GR TU CY UK
SUBJECT: UNFICYP CONSULTATIONS, DECEMBER 5, 2008
(U) 1. This is an action request. USUN is instructed to draw
from the discussion elements below during the United Nations
Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) consultations
scheduled for December 5, 2008.
Begin elements:
-The United States welcomes Special Representative Zerihoun
to the Council and thanks him for his comprehensive briefing
today and for the service that he, as well as Special Advisor
Downer, provide to the international community. The United
States would also like to recognize the positive leadership
of Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat. It is encouraging that
they have taken on primary responsibility for managing the
negotiation process and reaching mutual agreement. With this
in mind, we would like to make the following points:
-First, the United States welcomes the Secretary General,s
report and agrees with his recommendation for an extension of
UNFICYP,s mandate.
-Second, we share the Secretary General,s assessment that
progress has been made, especially since commencement of the
full-fledged negotiations in September. The leaders have met
nine times and these meetings have enjoyed a positive and
constructive dialogue.
-The United States would also like to emphasize the
tremendous goodwill both sides and their leaders have
exhibited. In this light, the United States joins the
Secretary General in commending both sides for mutually
agreeing to cancel their main annual military exercises. We
call on the two sides and their leaders to continue to
support such gestures and to continue to engage the Cypriot
communities to promote unity and understanding.
-Nevertheless, we also urge both sides to build upon the
current momentum and to recognize the necessity of
intensifying the pace of the negotiations, using the
technical committees, working groups, and additional informal
consultations as necessary, to facilitate the process.
Special Advisor Downer plays a critical role in this regard.
-Third, the United States along with the international
community continues to fully support this process which has
as its goal the achievement of a bi-zonal, bi-communal
federation.
-Finally, we would like to stess that a lasting and durable
settlement lies with the Cypriot communities themselves. The
United States urges the communities to take full advantage of
the current unique and auspicious opportunity to achieve even
more significant and decisive progress in the near future.
End Elements.
RICE