Annan Recommends Renewal of UN Mission in CyprusUN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Tuesday recommended the renewal of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for a further period of six months until June 15, 2001.In his report to the Security Council, Annan said the situation along the cease-fire lines in Cyprus has remained generally stable. However, the conditions in which the UNFICYP operates have become more difficult, owing to the restrictions imposed on it by the Turkish Cypriot authorities and the Turkish forces, Annan noted. The UN chief said his urgent call to rescind the restrictions has not so far met with a positive response. Annan said he continues to consider the presence of the UNFICYP essential for the maintenance of the cease-fire on the island. The UN chief also said there have been three sessions of Cyprus peace talks and he has invited the two sides concerned to attend further talks in Geneva in late January. The UNFICYP was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. After the hostilities of 1974, the mission's responsibilities have been extended. The UNFICYP still remains on the island to supervise cease-fire lines, maintain the buffer zone and undertake humanitarian activities. Cyprus has been divided into the Turkish Cypriots-controlled north and the Greek-Cypriots-dominated south since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in the wake of an abortive pro-Athens military coup in Nicosia. |
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