United Nations Security Council Resolution 422 – Cyprus

Resolution 422 (1977) of 15 December 1977

The Security Council,

Noting from the report of the Secretary-General of 1 December 197762 that in existing circumstances the presence of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus is essential not only to help maintain quiet in the island but also to facilitate the continued search for a peaceful settlement,

Noting from the report the conditions prevailing in the island,

Noting also from the report that the freedom of movement of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus and its civil police is still restricted in the north of the island, and expressing the hope that ways will be found to surmount the remaining obstacles,

Noting further that the Secretary-General expressed the view that the best hope of achieving a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem lies in negotiations between the representatives of the two communities and that the usefulness of those negotiations depends upon the willingness of all parties concerned to show the necessary flexibility, taking into account not only their own interests but also the legitimate aspirations and requirements of the opposing side,

Noting that, owing to the efforts of the Secretary-General, his staff and the United Nations Peace-keeping Force, and with the co-operation of the parties, there has been a relative improvement in the security situa-tion, but that this evolution has yet to relieve the under-lying tensions in the island,

Noting also the report of the Secretary-General of 30 April 197763 concerning the high-level meeting under the auspices of the Secretary-General, and emphasizing the need to adhere to the agreement reached at this meeting as well as to the agreements reached at the previous rounds of the talks,

Noting further the concurrence of the parties con-cerned in the recommendation by the Secretary-General that the Security Council extend the stationing of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus for a further period of six months,

Noting that the Government of Cyprus has agreed that, in view of the prevailing conditions in the island, it is necessary to keep the Force in Cyprus beyond 15 December 1977,

1. Reaffirms the provisions of resolution 186 (1964) of 4 March 1964, as well as subsequent resolutions and decisions on the establishment and maintenance of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus and other aspects of the situation in Cyprus;

2. Reaffirms once again its resolution 365 (1974) of 13 December 1974, by which it endorsed General Assembly resolution 3212 (XXIX) adopted unani-mously on 1 November 1974, and calls once again for the urgent and effective implementation of those resolu-tions and of its resolution 367 (1975) of 12 March 1975;

3. Urges the parties concerned to act with the utmost restraint by refraining from any unilateral or other action likely to affect adversely the prospects of negotiations for a just and peaceful solution and to continue and accelerate determined co-operative efforts to achieve the objectives of the Security Council;

4. Extends once more the stationing in Cyprus of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force, established under Security Council resolution 186 (1964), for a further period ending 15 June 1978, in the expectation that by then sufficient progress towards a final solution will make possible a withdrawal or substantial reduction of the Force;

5. Appeals again to all parties concerned to extend their fullest co-operation so as to enable the United Nations Peace-keeping Force to perform its duties effectively;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to continue the mission of good offices entrusted to him by paragraph 6 of resolution 367 (1975), to keep the Security Council informed of the progress made and to submit a report on the implementation of the present resolution by 31 May 1978.

Adopted at the 2054th meeting by 14 votes to none.