John Bruton
Question:287 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, the Government have made regarding proposals to locate missiles in southern Cyprus. [1223/98]
Written Answers. - Cyprus Missile Location.
The Government is concerned at the purchase and intended installation of S-300 missiles by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. This decision represents an unnecessary escalation of the level of armaments on the island. It will undoubtedly increase tensions, and the risk of conflict, in an already volatile situation. We are equally disturbed by the high level of military build-up of Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces in northern Cyprus.
During a bilateral meeting between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Mr. Cassoulides, at the United Nations ministerial week in September 1997 Ireland expressed its serious concerns, shared by other members of the international community, at the decision of the Cypriot Government to purchase and deploy these missiles. We strongly urged the Foreign Minister to reconsider this decision in the interests of contributing to a reduction in tensions on the island. This could only be helpful in producing a better atmosphere for the ongoing UN-sponsored direct negotiations between the leadership of both communities on the island. The issue has been raised subsequently in diplomatic contacts.
In his report of 8 December 1997 on the United Nations Operation in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, drew attention to the high level of militarisation in both the northern and southern parts of the island. It was also noted that the repeated appeals of the UN Security Council for a reduction in defence spending and in the number of foreign military troops on the island have not been heeded by either side. Military forces and armaments in Cyprus have continued to be expanded, upgraded and modernised at an increasing rate.
The Government will continue to urge that both communities engage in serious efforts to agree confidence-building measures and a genuine reduction in the level of militarisation on the island.