By Jean Christou
THE UN is concerned about military exercises on both sides of the island, permanent Representative Gustave Feissel said yesterday.
Speaking after a meeting with President Clerides, Feissel said the UN Security Council was concerned with the military situation in Cyprus and mentioned the resolution calling for a reduction of troops and a freeze in the military build-up.
“Unfortunately until now this hasn’t been heeded by anybody,” he said, adding that if the situation remained as it was today, it had the potential to worsen and create tensions.
“We are concerned about all kinds of military exercises and I think it would be much better if none take place because it certainly does not help in creating the right kind of climate and reducing tensions,” Feissel said.
The UN Representative said that during his 50-minute meeting with Clerides they had discussed a letter sent by UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan proposing a visit by his special adviser on Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, who is due on the island on November 18.
Annan wrote to the two sides as well as to Greece and Turkey proposing a visit by Cordovez to investigate whether they would be willing to participate in open-ended talks to solve the Cyprus problem.
“I will also discuss the matter with Denktash when he comes back. I expect a meeting hopefully on Friday,” Feissel said.
Cordovez chaired two rounds of Cyprus peace talks this year which ended in deadlock after Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash refused to negotiate unless Cyprus’ EU accession talks next year were postponed.
Feissel declined to comment on what might be expected from Cordovez’s visit in view of Denktash’s statements that he would not be able to meet the UN envoy.
Denktash said he would be in Turkey for medical tests when the UN adviser will be on the island.
The Turkish Cypriot leader has also said he will not participate in any further peace efforts until December when the EU will discuss the Agenda 2000 report on enlargement.
“Let’s see what happens. I don’t think we should anticipate things and today Mr Denktash will meet with the Secretary-general and I will see him after his return,” Feissel said.
Denktash, who is currently in the US, was expected to meet Annan later yesterday.
Feissel and Clerides also discussed the issue of the exchange of information on the missing.
The exchange was agreed at a meeting on humanitarian issues between the two leaders in July.
“I received a letter from Mr Clerides saying that he was now ready to exchange that information on his side,” Feissel said.
The exchange was scheduled to take place at the end of September but has been postponed several times.
However, Feissel said Denktash “has continued to indicate that he was going to deliver on his end of the deal”.
“It has taken them a little bit longer because they needed to do some work, ” he said.
