Security Council resolution 1728 (2006) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)]
Symbol: S/RES/1728(2006)
Date: 2006-12-15
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/61 [42] CYPRUS QUESTION
S/61 [43] UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN CYPRUS
Subjects: UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus|UN. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs|UN. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Cyprus|Status, Basic Rights and Duties of Staff (2002)|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|NEGOTIATION|CYPRUS|MILITARY PERSONNEL|TÜRKİYE|CYPRUS QUESTION|TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY|DISPUTE SETTLEMENT|GOOD OFFICES|SEX CRIMES|SEXUAL HARASSMENT|CODES OF CONDUCT|INFORMATION EXCHANGE|TROOP-CONTRIBUTING STATES|TRAINING PROGRAMMES|ACCOUNTABILITY
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ARGENTINA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: CONGO
vote: yes
country: DENMARK
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GHANA
vote: yes
country: GREECE
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: PERU
vote: yes
country: QATAR
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SLOVAKIA
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                  S/RES/1728 (2006)
               Security Council                                                Distr.: General
                                                                               15 December 2006




               Resolution 1728 (2006)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 5593rd meeting, on
               15 December 2006
                    The Security Council,
                    Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 1 December 2006 (S/2006/931)
               on the United Nations operation in Cyprus,
                    Noting that the Government of Cyprus is agreed that in view of the prevailing
               conditions in the island it is necessary to keep UNFICYP beyond 15 December
               2006,
                     Taking note of the assessment of the Secretary-General that the security
               situation on the island continues to be generally stable and that the situation along
               the Green Line remains calm, and welcoming the decrease in the overall number of
               incidents involving the two sides,
                     Urging both sides to avoid any action which could lead to an increase in
               tension such as military exercises and, in this context, noting with concern that
               disagreements have arisen over civilian activities in the buffer zone, including
               farming and construction, and encouraging both sides to engage in consultations
               with UNFICYP on the demarcation of the buffer zone, respecting UNFICYP’s
               mandate, and to reach an agreed approach to UNFICYP’s operations in the buffer
               zone on the basis of the United Nations 1989 aide-memoire,
                     Expressing its strong appreciation for the work of Under-Secretary-General
               Gambari in achieving the 8 July agreement and welcoming the principles and
               decisions enshrined therein, including recognition that the status quo is unacceptable
               and that a comprehensive settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation and
               political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions, is both
               desirable and possible and should not be further delayed, but noting, with regret, the
               Secretary-General’s assessment that continued lack of trust between the parties has
               so far prevented the implementation of any of those decisions, underlining the need
               to implement the 8 July agreement without further delay, and expressing the hope
               that the recent positive reaction of the leaders of both communities to suggestions
               by the United Nations will result in the finalisation of the preparatory phase as soon
               as possible in order to prepare the ground for fully-fledged negotiations leading to a
               comprehensive and durable settlement,
                   Welcoming continued progress in demining, expressing strong support for
               UNFICYP’s efforts to extend demining operations to Turkish Forces minefields in


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               the rest of the buffer zone, and welcoming the prospect that it could be declared free
               of mines within two years,
                     Reiterating its call to the parties to assess and address the humanitarian issue
               of missing persons with due urgency and seriousness, and welcoming in this regard
               the resumption of the activities of the Committee on Missing Persons since August
               2004, and the progress which has since been made, as well as the appointment by
               the Secretary-General of a third member,
                     Welcoming the continuing crossings by Greek Cypriots to the north and
               Turkish Cypriots to the south which have taken place peacefully, and encouraging
               early progress on other confidence-building measures, such as the opening of
               additional crossing points, including at Ledra Street,
                     Welcoming all efforts to promote bicommunal contacts and events, including,
               inter alia, on the part of the United Nations, and urging the two sides to promote
               further bicommunal contacts and to remove any obstacles to such contacts,
                     Expressing concern, in this respect, that opportunities for constructive public
               debate about the future of the island, within and between the communities, are
               becoming fewer, and that this atmosphere is hampering, in particular, efforts to
               foster bicommunal activities intended to benefit Greek Cypriots and Turkish
               Cypriots, and to promote reconciliation and build trust in order to facilitate a
               comprehensive settlement,
                     Noting the primary role of the United Nations in assisting the parties to bring
               the Cyprus conflict and division of the island to a comprehensive and durable
               settlement,
                    Reaffirming the importance of the Secretary-General continuing to keep the
               operations of UNFICYP under close review while continuing to take into account
               developments on the ground and the views of the parties, and reverting to the
               Council with recommendations as appropriate for further adjustments to
               UNFICYP’s mandate, force levels and concept of operation as soon as warranted,
                    Echoing the Secretary-General’s gratitude to the Government of Cyprus and
               the Government of Greece for their voluntary contributions to the funding of
               UNFICYP, and his request for further voluntary contributions from other countries
               and organizations,
                    Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to sensitize
               peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other
               communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations,
                    1.    Welcomes the observations in the Secretary-General’s report on progress
               since June, and in particular on developments since 8 July, and expresses
               appreciation for his personal efforts over the last 10 years, and those of his staff,
               aimed at achieving a comprehensive solution;
                    2.   Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution
               1251 (1999) of 29 June 1999 and subsequent resolutions;
                    3.   Expresses its full support for UNFICYP, including its mandate in the
               buffer zone, and decides to extend its mandate for a further period ending 15 June
               2007;
                    4.     Calls on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces to restore in
               Strovilia the military status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000;



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                 5.   Expresses full support for the process agreed by the leaders, encourages
           active participation in bicommunal discussions as described in Under-Secretary-General Gambari’s letter of 15 November 2006, under the auspices of the SRSG, and
           calls for early completion of the preparatory phase so that a fully-fledged good
           offices process may resume as soon as possible;
                 6.    Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on implementation of
           this resolution by 1 June 2007;
                7.    Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNFICYP to implement the
           Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to
           ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct,
           requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard
           and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to
           take appropriate preventive action including the conduct of predeployment
           awareness training, and to take disciplinary action and other action to ensure full
           accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel;
                8.    Decides to remain seized of the matter.




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