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A. Peace and Security Cases
A1. Cyprus
Cyprus had been on the UN agenda since 1964 following independence in 1960, making
the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), one of its most durable and costly peace-
keeping operations. UNFICYP’s goals were to prohibit violence between the Greek and Turkish
Cypriot communities and forestall external invasion from other states. Financial support for
troops came from nations supplying them to UNFICYP, the government of Cyprus, with
voluntary contributions from other states. Changes in troop nationalities happen regularly.
Formal dialogue between Greek and Turkish Cypriots over issues of governance, violence, a
constitution, and pragmatic needs – the Inter-Communal Talks (IC) – had broken down in 1971.
Waldheim traveled to Greece, Turkey and Cyprus in June 1972 after emergency
negotiations had halted and warehoused a shipment of arms from Czechoslovakia destined for
Greek Cypriot forces. Calling for both sides to resume discussions, Waldheim provided his first
special representative to continue negotiations. He sought additional funds from Security Council
members to minimize the UNFICYP deficit, and heralded the unit’s work to extend the mandate.
The IC talks became an indicator of progress. Waldheim returned to New York from
personal meetings with Cypriot leaders in the summer of 1973 and reported to the Security
Council (August 29) that resolution could be found. As a sign of progress, inter-communal
collaborative work in anti-drought measures was aided by the United Nations Development
Program (UNDP). Optimism for Cyprus would not last long.
If 1972-73 was an upturn against the cycle of violence and negotiation, 1974 would be
the reverse. The IC talks would be suspended by April 2, 1974. Only Waldheim’s personal
negotiations convinced Greek and Turkish Cypriots to return to dialogue. A Greek Cypriot coup
Convention