United Nations Security Council Resolution 1251 – Cyprus
Resolution 1251 (1999)
The Security Council,
Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 8 June 1999 (S/1999/657and Add.1) on the United Nations operation in Cyprus,
Noting that the Government of Cyprus has agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island it is necessary to keep the United NationsPeacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) beyond 30 June 1999,
Reaffirming all its earlier resolutions on Cyprus, in particularresolutions 1217 (1998) of 22 December 1998 and 1218 (1998) of 22 December 1998,
Calling once more upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independenceand territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and requesting them, along with the parties concerned, to refrain from any action which might prejudicethat sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as from any attempt at partition of the island or its unification with any other country,
Noting that the situation along the ceasefire lines is essentially stable,but expressing its grave concern at the increasing practice by both sides of engaging in provocative behaviour along the ceasefire lines, which heightens therisk of more serious incidents,
Reminding the parties that the UNFICYP package of measures aimed atreducing tensions along the ceasefire lines was designed to reduce incidents and tensions, without affecting the security of either side,
Reiterating the need to make progress on a comprehensive political solution,
- Decides to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period ending15 December 1999;
2. Reminds both sides of their obligations to prevent any violencedirected against UNFICYP personnel, to cooperate fully with UNFICYP and toensure its complete freedom of movement;
3. Calls upon the military authorities on both sides to refrain from anyaction, including acts of provocation in the vicinity of the buffer zone, whichwould exacerbate tensions;
4. Requests the Secretary-General and his Special Representative tocontinue to work intensively with the two sides with a view to early agreementon further specific tension-reducing steps, with full consideration of itsresolution 1218 (1998) of 22 December 1998;
5. Calls upon both sides to take measures that will build trust and cooperation and reduce tensions between the two sides, including demining along the buffer zone;
6. Urges the Greek Cypriot side to agree to the implementation of theUNFICYP package of measures, and encourages UNFICYP to continue its effortstowards the rapid implementation of the package by both sides;
7. Reiterates its grave concern at the continuing excessive levels ofmilitary forces and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus and the rate at whichthey are being expanded, upgraded and modernized, including by the introductionof advanced weapon systems by either side, and at the lack of progress towardsany significant reduction in the number of foreign troops in the Republic ofCyprus, which threaten to raise tensions both on the island and in the regionand complicate efforts to negotiate an overall political settlement;
8. Calls upon all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction indefence spending, a reduction in the number of foreign troops in the Republic ofCyprus, and a staged process aimed at limiting and then substantially reducingthe level of all troops and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus as a first steptowards the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces as described in the set of ideas(S/24472, annex), to help restore confidence between the sides, stresses theimportance of eventual demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus as anobjective in the context of an overall comprehensive settlement, welcomes inthis context any steps either side may take to reduce armaments and troops, andencourages the Secretary-General to continue to promote efforts in thisdirection;
9. Calls upon both sides to refrain from the threat or use of force or violence as a means to resolve the Cyprus problem;
10. Reaffirms that the status quo is unacceptable and that negotiations ona final political solution to the Cyprus problem have been at an impasse for toolong;
11. Reaffirms its position that a Cyprus settlement must be based on aState of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and asingle citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded,and comprising two politically equal communities as described in the relevantSecurity Council resolutions, in a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation, and that such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with any other countryor any form of partition or secession;
12. Welcomes the ongoing efforts by UNFICYP to implement its humanitarian mandate in respect of Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the northern partof the island and Turkish Cypriots living in the southern part, as mentioned inthe report of the Secretary-General;
13. Reiterates its support for the efforts of the United Nations and others concerned to promote the holding of bi-communal events so as to buildcooperation, trust and mutual respect between the two communities, and calls upon the Turkish-Cypriot leadership to resume such activities;
14. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report by 1 December 1999 on the implementation of this resolution;
15. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 4018th meeting,on 29 June 1999.
