UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended a six-month extension of the Cyprus mission.
Annan, in a report to the Security Council Wednesday, said the situation along the ceasefire lines remains calm, while people from both sides continue to regularly pass through the crossing points.
Following the April 24 referendums when voters rejected a reunification plan, consultations have been conducted with both sides on the island and the guarantor powers of Britain, Greece and Turkey, the report said.
"I remain convinced that, in the absence of a comprehensive settlement, the presence of the U.N. Force in Cyprus on the island continues to be necessary for the maintenance of the ceasefire," Annan said.
Greek Cypriots rejected and Turkish Cypriots approved the plan, which would have created a United Cyprus Republic composed of two separate constituent states linked by federal government.
Given this "watershed" event, the secretary-general said he would conduct a review, to be completed within three months, of force levels and the concept of operations, "in the light of developments on the ground, the positions of the parties and any views the Security Council might have."
