Vol. 408 No. 7
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Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 21 May 1991
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Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Occupati...
12 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have any plans for initiatives through the United Nations or the EC to secure (1) an end to the illegal occupation by Turkish forces of almost 40 per cent of Cypriot territory and (2) the restoration of the independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ireland is strongly supportive of the efforts of the UN Secretary General to facilitate a solution to the Cyprus question. I am glad to be able to inform the House that the UN Secretary General, in his latest report to the Security Council on 27 March 1991, concluded that the two sides to the dispute have been forthcoming and he was generally optimistic that current conditions are favourable for a solution. I welcome that report from the Secretary-General, while recognising that his special representative's mission is by no means completed.
It has been the policy of successive Irish Governments to oppose the occupation of Cypriot territory and to support the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence of Cyprus.
Could the Minister outline from the Secretary General's report what are the outstanding issues with regard to a settlement between the communities in Cyprus? Are the European Council or any of the European institutions using their influence with Greece and Turkey, who are applying to join the European Community, and with Cyprus who are also seeking access to the European Community to encourage a resolution of the outstanding problems?
The Deputy is aware that efforts have been under way for a considerable time to get talks going in an effort to deal with this issue. In February 1990 talks resumed, following pressure from the UN and the EC and a demarche by Turkey. The talks were to be on the basis of the existing framework and proposals. They broke down when Mr. Denktash formally made new proposals for recognition of the Turkish-Cypriot people and their right to self-determination a precondition for further discussion. He also presented, as a concession to the Turkish-Cypriot position, a statement made by the Secretary General in his remarks opening the talks to the effect that there was no majority and no minority in Cyprus but only two peoples with equal political rights. Following the deadlock UN Security Council Resolution 649/90 of 12 March 1990 called upon the leaders of the two communities to pursue their efforts to reach a freely mutually acceptable solution and requested the Secretary General to pursue his mission of good offices. The latest report of the Secretary General outlines his objective as an overall agreement between the two communities. He and his officials have been working with both communities in an effort to bring them sufficiently close on each aspect of the proposed outline solution to make it possible for both sides to work out an agreement between them. Progress to this stage has been made on some issues, in the opinion of the Secretary General, but it has still not been possible to reconcile the two communities on other imporant aspects. Nevertheless, the Secretary General considers current conditions to be favourable in his attempt to arrive at an agreed outline to have discussed between the two leaders. He hopes to report again in early July on progress made by him in this regard.
I am interested in two issues. First, can the Minister indicate the basis on which the Secretary General was able to give a positive report on 27 March? Secondly — this was touched on by Deputy De Rossa but not specifically repied to — does the Minister see any scope for the EC adopting a carrot and stick approach thereby providing further pressure towards a settlement?
It has always been our position that the best hope for a solution is through the efforts of the Secretary General. The best course open to us, and our EC partners, is to support his efforts. It is clearly understood by everybody that this is a very complex issue and that the Secretary General is using his good office in an effort to get agreement between the two sides. The discussions between the two sides, and his office, are continuing and we hope to have a further report from him in July on progress made.
