Marine Advisory: 01/2009 - United Nations Sanctions Involving the Purported state of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” – UNSC Resolution 541 (1983) and Resolution 550 (1984)

October 30, 2009

MARINE ADVISORY NOTE 1/2009

RE: United Nations Sanctions Involving the Purported state of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” – UNSC Resolution 541 (1983) and Resolution 550 (1984)

TO: All Owners/Operators and Masters of Liberian Flag Vessels

Dear Owner/Operator/Master:

This Advisory provides information concerning United Nations involving the purported state of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” by United Nations Security Council Resolution 541 (1983) and Resolution 550, respectively dated 18 November 1983 and 11 May 1984, and is issued in furtherance to recent inquiries and at the request of the Cypriot authorities.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution which declared as legally invalid the establishment of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” and calls upon all States and the two communities in Cyprus to refrain from any action which might exacerbate the situation. As part of this action, vessels flagged in countries that are members of the United Nations shall not enter ports of the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus. This restriction imposed by the U.N. Security Council applies to all vessels operating under the flag States of countries that are members of the United Nations, including Liberia.

Owners, Operators and Masters of Liberian flag vessels are therefore required to respect and obey the United Nations Security Council Resolution 541 (1983) and Resolution 550 (1984).

Owners and operators of Liberian flag vessels should bring the contents of this Advisory to the attention their Masters and instruct them to exercise caution so as to avoid inadvertent violation of the mandate of these resolutions and not to enter these ports under any circumstances.

The relevant paragraphs of the Resolution 541 (1983) and Resolution 550 (1984) are re-produced below:

Res. 541:

“6. Calls upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus;

1. Calls upon all States not to recognize any Cypriot State other than the Republic of Cyprus;
2. Calls upon all States and the two communities in Cyprus to refrain from any action which might exacerbate the situation.”

Res. 550:

“1. Reaffirming its resolution 541(1983) and calls for its urgent and effective implementation;

1. Condemns all secessionist actions, including the purported exchange of Ambassadors between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot Leadership, declares them illegal and invalid and calls for their immediate withdrawal;
2. Reaffirms the call upon all States not to recognize the purported state of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" set up by secessionist acts and calls upon them not to facilitate or in any way assist this the aforesaid secessionist entity;
3. Calls upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, unity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus;”

For further information regarding this Advisory, contact Michael Davies-Sekle at +1 703 251 2407 or email: investigations@liscr.com

Regards,

Capt. David Pascoe

Head Maritime Operations & Standards On behalf of

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF MARITIME AFFAIRS REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA