United Nations Security Council Resolution 1251
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1251, adopted unanimously on June 29, 1999, after reaffirming all past resolutions on the situation in Cyprus
, including resolutions 1217
(1998) and 1218
(1998), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
(UNFICYP) for a further six months until December 15, 1999.
The Government of Cyprus had again agreed to the continued presence of UNFICYP on the island. The situation along the ceasefire
line had remained calm apart from minor violations, though there were restrictions upon UNFICYP's freedom of movement
.
The mandate
of UNFICYP was extended until December 15, 1999 and authorities in Cyprus and Northern Cyprus were reminded to ensure the safety of UNFICYP personnel and end violence against it. Military authorities on both sides were urged to refrain from actions that could exacerbate tensions such as demining
along the Buffer Zone
. The Greek Cypriot side in particular was called upon to implement the UNFICYP package of measures. There was also concern about the strengthening of military weapons in southern Cyprus and the lack of progress in decreasing the number of foreign troops. In this regard, the Council urged the Republic of Cyprus to cut back on defence spending and withdraw foreign troops, with an overall view to demilitarising
the entire island.
The Security Council welcomed the ongoing efforts of UNFICYP to implement its humanitarian mandate. It also reaffirmed its long-standing position that the Cyprus issue should be resolved on the basis of a single Cyprus with a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation
without secession
or union with another country.
Finally, the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
was requested to report back to the Council by December 1, 1999 on the implementation of the current resolution. Resolution 1250
adopted the same day further discussed the peace process on the island.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1251, adopted unanimously on June 29, 1999, after reaffirming all past resolutions on the situation in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, including resolutions 1217
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1217
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1217, adopted unanimously on December 22, 1998, after reaffirming all past resolutions on the situation in Cyprus, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for a further six months until June 30, 1999.The...
(1998) and 1218
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1218
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1218, adopted unanimously on December 22, 1998, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation in Cyprus, the Council addressed the peace process surrounding the Cyprus dispute and called upon both parties to co-operate with the Secretary-General.The...
(1998), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus was established in 1964 to prevent a recurrence of fighting between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions...
(UNFICYP) for a further six months until December 15, 1999.
The Government of Cyprus had again agreed to the continued presence of UNFICYP on the island. The situation along the ceasefire
Ceasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
line had remained calm apart from minor violations, though there were restrictions upon UNFICYP's freedom of movement
Freedom of movement
Freedom of movement, mobility rights or the right to travel is a human right concept that the constitutions of numerous states respect...
.
The mandate
Mandate (international law)
In international law, a mandate is a binding obligation issued from an inter-governmental organization like the United Nations to a country which is bound to follow the instructions of the organization....
of UNFICYP was extended until December 15, 1999 and authorities in Cyprus and Northern Cyprus were reminded to ensure the safety of UNFICYP personnel and end violence against it. Military authorities on both sides were urged to refrain from actions that could exacerbate tensions such as demining
Demining
Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing either land mines, or naval mines, from an area, while minesweeping describes the act of detecting of mines. There are two distinct types of mine detection and removal: military and humanitarian.Minesweepers use many tools in order to accomplish...
along the Buffer Zone
United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus
The United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus runs for more than along what is known as the Green Line and has an area of . The zone partitions the island of Cyprus into a southern area effectively controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus , and the northern area...
. The Greek Cypriot side in particular was called upon to implement the UNFICYP package of measures. There was also concern about the strengthening of military weapons in southern Cyprus and the lack of progress in decreasing the number of foreign troops. In this regard, the Council urged the Republic of Cyprus to cut back on defence spending and withdraw foreign troops, with an overall view to demilitarising
Demilitarisation
Demilitarisation or demilitarization is the reduction of a nation's army, weapons, or military vehicles to an agreed minimum. Demilitarisation is usually the result of a peace treaty ending a war or a major conflict....
the entire island.
The Security Council welcomed the ongoing efforts of UNFICYP to implement its humanitarian mandate. It also reaffirmed its long-standing position that the Cyprus issue should be resolved on the basis of a single Cyprus with a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation
Federation
A federation , also known as a federal state, is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central government...
without secession
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
or union with another country.
Finally, the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
was requested to report back to the Council by December 1, 1999 on the implementation of the current resolution. Resolution 1250
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1250
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1250, adopted unanimously on June 29, 1999, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation in Cyprus, particularly Resolution 1218 , the Council addressed the Secretary-General Kofi Annan's mission of good offices in Cyprus.The Security Council...
adopted the same day further discussed the peace process on the island.
See also
- Cyprus disputeCyprus disputeThe Cyprus dispute is the result of the ongoing conflict between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, over the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus....
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1201 to 1300 (1998 – 2000)
- United Nations Buffer Zone in CyprusUnited Nations Buffer Zone in CyprusThe United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus runs for more than along what is known as the Green Line and has an area of . The zone partitions the island of Cyprus into a southern area effectively controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus , and the northern area...
- Turkish Invasion of CyprusTurkish invasion of CyprusThe Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...