United Nations Security Council Resolution 198

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Resolution 198 of the United Nations Security Council, adopted on December 18, 1964, after reaffirming previous resolutions regarding Cyprus, extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for an additional three months, ending on March 26, 1965.

The resolution was unanimously approved by the Security Council. In light of the Secretary-General's views and the wishes expressed by the Republic of Cyprus to extend the stay of UN Peacekeepers in Cyprus after December 26, 1964, the Council reaffirmed its previous resolutions regarding Cyprus (resolutions 186, 187, and 192) and extended the presence of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for another three months until March 26, 1965. The Security Council also expressed satisfaction with the improvement of the situation on the island as noted in the last Secretary-General's report.

The resolution was a response to ongoing tensions between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus, which had been under British administration since 1878. In 1959, the Republic of Cyprus gained independence from Britain, but the Greek Cypriot community sought union with Greece, while the Turkish Cypriot community sought union with Turkey. The dispute led to a United Nations peacekeeping force being deployed in Cyprus in 1964.

The extension of the UN Peacekeepers' stay was seen as an attempt by the international community to maintain stability on the island and prevent conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. However, the resolution also acknowledged that efforts had been made by the Secretary-General to implement previous Council resolutions on the Cyprus issue, including those related to the stationing of UN Peacekeepers in Cyprus.

The Security Council's decision was seen as a positive step towards resolving the Cyprus dispute, but it ultimately failed to bring about lasting peace. The Greek Cypriot community continued to seek union with Greece, while the Turkish Cypriot community remained committed to unification with Turkey. The dispute remains unresolved to this day, with ongoing tensions between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus.

In conclusion, Resolution 198 of the United Nations Security Council marked an attempt by the international community to address the complex issue of Cyprus through a peaceful resolution. However, despite efforts made by the Secretary-General and the Security Council, the dispute remained unresolved, and the island continues to be a source of tension between Greece and Turkey.