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Cablegate: Cyprus: Guidance for December 9 Security Council

Published: Mon 7 Dec 2009 11:23 PM
VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #5212 3412324
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 072323Z DEC 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 8998
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA IMMEDIATE 5805
UNCLAS STATE 125212
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS GR TU CY UK
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: GUIDANCE FOR DECEMBER 9 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 December 9, 2009.
2. (U) Begin points:
I would like to thank Special Advisor Downer and Special
Representative Zerihoun for your briefings and welcome you
back to the Council. I would also like to thank you for your
efforts on behalf of the UN to assist the Cypriot people in
their pursuit of a comprehensive settlement. I would like to
make the following four points:
First, the United States fully supports the settlement
process. We agree that this process must continue to be
Cypriot-led. However, the UN plays a critical support role
in the process,through the Good Offices Mission, and we
welcome the Secretary-General's efforts to facilitate
reunification into a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. The
parties also need strong Council and international support
where possible as they prepare to make what will surely be
difficult compromises. We commend the work of Mr. Downer and
his team to facilitate this process. We are behind you.
Second, UN involvement will be especially important as the
negotiations enter their more difficult stages in the coming
weeks and months. We commend Mr. Downer,s recent
intensified involvement on the island and would welcome a
push for an additional series of back to back negotiating
sessions to fully exploit the window of opportunity at hand.
The increased frequency of talks has contributed to the
achievement of convergence in some areas, but also to
agreements on a schedule for future meetings, which help to
ensure that the current momentum can be maintained.
Third, we agree with the Secretary-General that the
negotiations cannot be viewed as a zero-sum game if they are
to be successful ) both sides will gain in a united Cyprus.
An informed public can more easily lend its support to the
settlement negotiations and the later implementation of a
peace agreement. Public participation and engagement
regarding efforts to reach a solution are crucial. The
Council can show its support by welcoming progress such as
was achieved with the June 26, 2009 agreement to open the
Limnitis/Yesilirmak crossing. The United States has pledged
$900,000 in support of the implementation of this agreement
and urges other member states to lend their support, as well.
Fourth, the United States fully supports an extension of
UNFICYP,s mandate for six months. UNFICYP plays an
important role on the island, especially through its
confidence building activities which contribute to the
stability of the buffer zone and to overall UN efforts in
support of the settlement negotiations. We look forward to
the next reports of the Secretary-General, including as the
Council noted in its previous resolution, contingency
planning in relation to the settlement talks.
Mr. President, the United States continues to stand ready
with the international community to assist in whatever way we
can in support of the parties, efforts to reach a just and
lasting settlement that reunifies Cyprus into a bi-zonal and
bi-communal federation.
CLINTON
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