Cyprus.

• Position: Extension of the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

The Security Council on 23 December 1997 extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 30 June 1998, by unanimously adopting resolution 1146 (1997).

The Council noted with concern that tensions along the ceasefire lines remained high and that restrictions to UNFICYP's freedom of movement had increased. The Council reiterated its grave concern at the excessive levels of military forces in Cyprus and the rate at which armaments were being expanded, upgraded and modernized. It expressed concern at the lack of progress in the reduction of the number of foreign troops in Cyprus, which threatened to raise tensions on the island and in the region. The Council also expressed its full support for the Secretary-General's intention to resume open-ended negotiations in March 1998 to achieve a comprehensive settlement.

In a 15 December report on his good offices mission in Cyprus, which summarized recent developments, including two rounds of talks between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities in July and August, Secretary-General Kofi Annan had called for new ways of approaching the situation to ensure the continuation of negotiations.

In resolution 1146 (1997), the Council called on all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending to help restore confidence between the parties and begin first steps towards the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces. It stressed the importance of eventual demilitarization of the island for an overall comprehensive settlement, and encouraged the Secretary-General to continue his efforts in this direction. The Council called upon the leaders of the two communities to commit themselves to the process of negotiations initiated by the Secretary-General in July 1997, and to...