United Nations General Assembly – Secretary General U Thant – Statement On Cyprus – September 25, 1964.
The UN Security Council on September 25, 1964 extended the life of the UN peacekeeping force on Cyprus for another three months.
But Secretary-General Thant promptly warned that the force would be withdrawn in Cyprus if UN members fail to provide enough money to pay for it. Acting one day before the expiration of the present three-months mandate the council approved unanimously a resolution extending the 61 60-man force until Dec 26. Speaking immediately after the vote Thant expressed dissatisfaction over the method of financing the force in Cyprus through voluntary contributions as specified by the council He said that if it appeared voluntary contributions were not sufficient to cover the costs “I shall have no alternative but to inform the council and whenever the financial situation makes it necessary to withdraw the force in Cyprus before the end of the three-month period. US delegate Charles YV Yost announced that the US was prepared to contribute up to $2,300,000 for the third three months term. He pleaded with other countries to make contributions. He noted that the US had already paid $43,00000 of the estimated $12,500000 for the first six months. British delegate Sir Patrick Dean made a similar appeal and announced his country would contribute $10,00000 for the third three-months period. It had pledged $24,00000 previously. Only four council members, the US, Britain, Norway and Morocco have made or pledged voluntary contributions for the force. Out of 112 UN member countries only 23 about 20 per cent of the membership had pledged or made payments. Malaysia pledged a token contribution of $2500 adding it would have given more, but for its problems with Indonesia. There was a $2,000,000 deficit in expenses for the second three-months term. Cost for the third three months was expected to be the same as for the previous three months about $7,300000.
Here is that statement on the situation in Cyprus as delivered by Secretary General U-Thant to the UN Security Council on September 25, 1964.
