Cyprus Parliament resolution
UN top envoy must act objectively
Nicosia, Feb 3 (CNA) -- The House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday, addressed to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on the urgency of restituting the objectivity of the role of the UN SG Special Advisor Alexander Downer, stating that this responsibility lies with Ban.
The House states by this resolution that "the unbalanced and detrimental statements and actions of the UN SG Special Advisor are not in line with the provisions of the Charter of the UN and Cyprus-related UN resolutions".
Such actions are compromising the Special Advisor’s good report and leave the UN SG exposed, the resolution reads, in addition to impeding the negotiation process for a Cyprus solution.
The House says references made by Downer, stating among others that the Greek Cypriots, instead of the Republic of Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the European Council in the second half of 2012, are unacceptable and are targeting the statehood of the Republic of Cyprus.
House President Yiannakis Omirou noted that the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus "sends a very strong message" with this resolution, aimed at the UN Secretariat, underlining that all UN representatives must act in line and according to the spirit of the UN Charter, as well as the Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on Cyprus.
The House also refers in its resolution to the recent meeting at Greentree, between the UN SG and Cyprus leaders, noting the lack of progress "due to the intransigent stance of the Turkish side".
Moreover, the House reaffirms its commitment to a Cyprus solution, based on the principles of international and European law and the Cyprus-related UN resolutions.
It also states that a lasting and viable solution can be guaranteed by reaching a compromise through free negotiations, without the imposition of timetables and arbitration.
DISI Parliamentary Speaker Tasos Mitsopoulos said during his address that the UN Secretary-General has a responsibility to maintain the credible, objective and impartial nature of the role of his Special Advisor in Cyprus.
AKEL Parliamentary Speaker Stavros Evagorou noted that it is Downer’s responsibility to act within the parameters set by UN resolutions, adding that his recent remarks concerning the Cyprus EU Presidency are unacceptable and reprehensible alike.
Fytos Constantinou, Parliamentary Speaker for DIKO said that Alexander Downer turned unreliable in performing his role as the UN SG Special Advisor on Cyprus, through his acts and his "provocative and unacceptable" statements. "We therefore deem his dismissal is imperative", Constantinou said.
EDEK MP Giorgos Varnava said from his part that the UN SG Special Advisor has breached every notion of objectivity and impartiality, noting that his party favors a House resolution asking for his removal.
President of EVROKO Demetris Syllouris said the presence of Alexander Downer in Cyprus promotes the interest of Turkey in the island and favors a Turkish solution to the Cyprus problem.
MP of Cyprus Greens Giorgos Perdikis said the demand for Downer’s removal should be addressed both to the UN Secretary-General, as well as to the leader of the Greek Cypriot community Demetris Christofias.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.
Peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu for the fifth time in January 2012, in Greentree, New York. In his statements, following the meeting, Ban said limited progress was achieved and invited both sides to make decisive moves in the negotiation chapters of governance, property and citizenship.
