United Nations Security Council Resolution 401

Adopted at the 1979th meeting by 13 votes to none, on 14 December 1976

The Security Council,

Noting from the report of the Secretary-General of 9 December 1976 that in existing circumstances the presence of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus is essential not only to help maintain quiet in the island but also to facilitate the continued search for a peaceful settlement,

Noting from the report the conditions prevailing in the island,

Noting also from the report that the freedom of movement of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus and its civil police is still restricted in the north of the island and that further progress is being made in discussions regarding the stationing, deployment and functioning of the Force, and expressing the hope that ways will be found to surmount the remaining obstacles,

Noting further that the Secretary-General has expressed the view that the best hope of achieving a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus question lies in negotiations between the representatibes of the two communities and that the usefulness of those negotiations depends upon the willingness of all parties concerned to show the necessary flexibility, taking into account not only their own interests but also the legitimate aspirations and requirement of the opposing side,

Expressing its concern at actions which increase tension between the two communities and tend to affect adversely the efforts towards a just and lasting peace in Cyprus

Emphasizing the need for the parties concerned to adhere to the agreements reached at all previous rounds of the talks held under the auspices of the Secretary-General and expressing the hope that future talks will be meaningful and productive,

Noting also the concurrence of the parties concerned with the recommendation by the Secretary-General that the Security Council extend the stationing of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus for a further period of six months,

Noting that the Government of Cyprus has agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island it is necessary to keep the Force in Cyprus beyond 15 December 1976,

1. Reaffirms the provisions of resolution 186 (1964) of 4 March 1964, as well as subsequent resolutions and decisions on the establishment and maintenance of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus and other aspects of the situation in Cyprus;

2. Reaffirms once again its resolution 365 (1974) of 13 December 1974, by which it endorsed General Assembly resolution 3212 (XXIX) adopted unanimously on 1 November 1974, and calls once again for the urgent and effective implementation of those resolutions as well as of its resolution 367 (1975) of 12 March 1975;

3. Urges the parties concerned to act with the utmost restraint to refrain from any unilateral or other action likely to affect adversely the prospects of negotiations for a just and peaceful solution and to continue and accelerate determined co-operative efforts to achieve the objectives of the Security Council;

4. Extends once more the stationing in Cyprus of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force, established under Security Council resolution 186 (1964), for a further period ending 15 June 1977, in the expectation that by then sufficient progress towards a final solution will make possible a withdrawal or substantial reduction of the Force;

5. Appeals again to all parties concerned to extend their fullest co-operation so as to enable the United Nations Peace-keeping Force to perform its duties effectively;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to continue the mission of good offices entrusted to him by paragraph 6 of resolution 367 (1975), to keep the Security Council informed of the progress made and to submit a report on the implementation of the present resolution by 30 April 1977.

1. Two members (Benin and china) did not participate in the voting. 2. Ibid., document S/12253.