Reference to Turkey omitted in new UNSG spokesman’s statement on CMP excavations
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The United Nations have amended a statement issued on Thursday by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General by which Ban Ki-moon welcomed “the confirmation by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci that the Republic of Turkey has formally agreed to provide the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) excavation teams access to 30 suspected burial sites in military areas in the north of Cyprus.”
The new statement does not make any reference to Turkey, something which, according to information, was demanded by Ankara, that made representations to the UN Secretariat.
The new statement reads that “the Secretary-General welcomes the confirmation by the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr. Mustafa Akıncı, that the Committee on Missing Persons excavation teams will have access to 30 suspected burial sites in military areas in the north of Cyprus.”
“The Secretary-General is encouraged by the steps being taken to build trust and confidence between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities as the two sides have begun intensified talks this month. The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in the talks aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus,” the spokesman concluded.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY