October Front Cover - UNFICYP · 4 October 2004 - The Blue Beret October 2004 - The Blue Beret 5 I. Introduction 1. In resolution 1548 (2004) the Security Council wel-comed my intention

THE BLUE BERET

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2 October 2004 - The Blue Beret

Security Council Resolution 1568“The Security Council,“Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 24 September2004 (S/2004/756) on the United Nations operation in Cyprus,“Reiterating its call to the parties to assess and address thehumanitarian issue of missing persons with due urgency andseriousness, and welcoming in this regard the resumption ofthe activities of the Committee on Missing Persons sinceAugust 2004,“Welcoming the Secretary-General’s review of the UnitedNations peacekeeping operation in Cyprus (UNFICYP), pur-suant to resolution 1548 (2004) of 11 June 2004,“Noting that the Government of Cyprus is agreed that in viewof the prevailing conditions in the island it is necessary tokeep UNFICYP beyond 15 December 2004,“Taking note of the assessment of the Secretary-General thatthe security situation on the island has become increasinglybenign over the last few years and that a recurrence offighting in Cyprus is increasingly unlikely,“Welcoming the Secretary-General’s intention to conduct afurther review on UNFICYP’s mandate, force levels andconcept of operation in advance of the next renewal ofUNFICYP’s mandate, continuing to take into accountdevelopments on the ground and the views of the parties,“Echoing the Secretary-General’s gratitude to the Govern-ment of Cyprus and the Government of Greece for theirvoluntary contributions to the funding of UNFICYP, and hisrequest for further voluntary contributions from othercountries and organizations,“Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United Nationsto sensitize peacekeeping personnel in the prevention andcontrol of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in allits peacekeeping operations,“1. Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, inparticular resolution 1251 (1999) of 29 June 1999 andsubsequent resolutions;“2. Endorses the Secretary-General’s recommendations forthe amendment of the concept of operations and force levelof UNFICYP, as outlined in his report of 24 September 2004;“3. Decides to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for a furtherperiod ending 15 June 2005;“4. Urges the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces torescind without delay all remaining restrictions onUNFICYP, and calls on them to restore in Strovilia themilitary status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000;“5. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report onimplementation of this resolution concurrent with the reviewprovided for above;“6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

3October 2004 - The Blue Beret

Front and Back Covers:

UNFICYP Celebrates the UN Birthday

ContentsEditorial/Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2UNFICYP Family Celebrates UN Day/

SG’s UN Day Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Report of the SG on UNFICYP . . . . . . . . . . . .4/5/6/7Cultural Heritage of Cyprus – Part XXVII:

Amathus: Ancient City-Kingdom . . . . . . . . . . . .8/9Sector 2 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Sector 1 News/

Nobel Peace Prize 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11New Faces from ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Visitors to UNFICYP from ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Croatians Join the UNFICYP Family . . . . . . . . . . .14Martial Arts Training/

UK Air Cadets Pay a Flying Visit to UNFICYP . .15

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This year, for once,UNFICYP and the UNfamily in Cyprus cele-

brated UN Day on 24 October– the actual anniversary of theUN’s Charter coming intoeffect in 1945. Usually, theUNFICYP Cyprus tradition ofmarking the event on thenearest Sunday has meant that we have been out of stepwith the rest of the UN world’s celebrants! This year,happily, Sunday and 24 October fell on the same day!

Led by the Chief of Mission, more than 500 peopleturned out at the Ledra Palace for a wonderful UN Dayconcert, featuring the bicommunal music making of theCyprus Youth Music, appearing courtesy of the UNDP/USAID-funded Bi-communal Development Programmeexecuted by UNOPS.

Under the inspiring baton of director Roland Mehlia,the young orchestra players joined forces with thebrassy big band sound of the Foley School, anotheryouth movement (from Limassol), and soon the Ledragrounds reverberated with the familiar sounds of aGlenn Miller standard. Then Maro Skordi directed thePolyphonia Vocal Group through a dizzying array ofa capella harmonies, each more mellifluous than the

last. An undaunted Serdar Kavaz let rip with guitar andvocals in a solo set of pop and traditional arrangementsto follow. Then, feet began to tap and hands began toclap as Vitral, the afternoon’s featured quartet, took overthe stage and won everyone’s hearts with their infectiousrhythms.

UNFICYPFamily

CelebratesUN Day

Secretary-General’s UN Day Message

Fifty-nine years ago, the United Nations wasfounded as an instrument of peace, human rights

and development. The world is a better place becauseof the United Nations. But too many people are todaythe victims of violence, oppression, poverty, hunger,illiteracy and disease.

We can and must do better. All people deserve tolive free from fear and want. They must have hopethat tomorrow will be better than today. Our commonhumanity requires it. Our common security demandsit.

Each nation needs a government that truly servesits people. And we all need an effective United Nations

– one that reflects the world we live in today, and canmeet the challenges we will face tomorrow.

I believe we can build a better United Nations.That’s why I will soon be putting before worldleaders a package of measures to renew the Organi-zation. It will be up to your leaders to respond withvision and goodwill. They must find common groundat a historic meeting this time next year.

I ask you to encourage your leaders to give ourworld the United Nations it deserves. With your help,I know we can do it.

We are in a new era. We need a new UnitedNations. Let’s make it happen.

54 October 2004 - The Blue BeretOctober 2004 - The Blue Beret

I. Introduction1. In resolution 1548 (2004) the Security Council wel-comed my intention to conduct a review of UNFICYP’smandate, force levels and concept of operation, and decidedto consider my recommendations for adjustments or re-structuring that may be required. It also requested a reporton the implementation of this resolution.2. Pursuant to this resolution, review teams were estab-lished in UNFICYP, led by the Chief of Mission, Mr.Zbigniew Wlosowicz, assisted by the Force Commander,Major General Hebert Figoli, and in the Secretariat, led bythe Acting Director of the Europe and Latin AmericaDivision, Office of Operations, Department of PeacekeepingOperations, Mr. Wolfgang Weisbrod-Weber, respectively.The teams conducted an in-depth assessment of thedevelopments on the ground and the evolving role of thedifferent components of UNFICYP over the last years. TheSecretariat team visited UNFICYP from 29 August to 5September and jointly with the UNFICYP team sought theviews of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides aboutthe situation on the ground. In addition, the teams met withrepresentatives of the diplomatic community and the UNfamily in Nicosia.II. General background3. Since the resumption of the most recent effort of mymission of good offices in late 1999, the context in whichUNFICYP operated was shaped primarily by the pace of thenegotiations on a comprehensive settlement. Representa-tives of both communities met at various levels to discusstheir common future in a reunited Cyprus. These effortscame to an end with the rejection of the proposed “Compre-hensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem” by the GreekCypriot side in the 24 April 2004 referendum (seeS/2004/437). Throughout this period of intense negotiations,UNFICYP assisted in maintaining the calm along theceasefire lines, ensuring conditions conducive for the talks.4. Official contacts between leaders of both sides haveceased since the referenda, and signs of mutual distrust havereappeared. Presently, the position of the two sides on mymission of good offices remains as reported to the Councilon 28 May 2004 (S/2004/437). Accordingly, I continue tosee no basis for resuming my good offices as long as theimpasse described in that report continues. While thatimpasse remains, my views as to the way forward may alsobe found in that report.5. On 1 May 2004, Cyprus joined the European Union(EU). While the accession did not, as was hoped, provide thecatalyst for a comprehensive settlement, the EU framework,if used wisely by all parties, does have the potential toimprove the climate between Cyprus, as an EU memberstate, and Turkey, as a candidate for EU membership. It alsohas potential to help reduce the disparities between the twocommunities on the island, promote confidence betweenthem, and build and sustain constituencies on each side infavour of reconciliation and reunification. In this context,intra-island trade of certain goods began in August pursuantto an EU regulation. The EU Commission also recommen-ded to the European Council an aid package of 259 millionEuros for the Turkish Cypriots and the opening of directtrade between the north of the island and the EuropeanUnion.6. However, key decisions on the EU’s relations withTurkey and with the Turkish Cypriots have yet to be taken.This has led to considerable uncertainty on both sides of the

island. The Greek Cypriot side has opposed the Commis-sion’s recommendations on direct trade, and has proposed itsown set of economic and confidence building measures.These have been largely dismissed by the Turkish Cypriotside, which has also expressed disappointment with whatthey regard as the slow pace of EU assistance.7. Perhaps the single recent event to have the most impacton the relationship between Greek Cypriots and TurkishCypriots was the opening of four crossing points through theGreen Line in April 2003. Despite the current absence ofdirect relations at the official level, contacts betweenordinary Cypriots have continued to grow. Since April 2003,there have been over four million crossings of the bufferzone without major incidents. The movement of people hasbeen further facilitated by the Greek Cypriot side'swillingness to accept entry to the south by EU nationals andCyprus visa holders who entered the island through ports inthe north. For their part, Turkish Cypriot authorities agreedthat Greek Cypriots could show identity cards, rather thanpassports, when crossing the buffer zone to the north. Peoplefrom all walks of life, including the public and privatesectors, have continued to meet with their counterparts andparticipate in common events. Many such encounters havetaken place at UN premises in the buffer zone with theassistance of UNFICYP.8. In addition, proposals for confidence building measureswere put forward by the Greek Cypriot side. In June, itproposed, through UNFICYP, the withdrawal of militaryequipment and un-manning of positions around the old townof Nicosia and in the Dherynia-Famagusta area, as well as aban on military exercises and use of heavy equipment fortwo kilometers on both sides of the respective ceasefirelines. These proposals have yet to be taken up by the otherside. Again in June, the Greek Cypriot side proposedthrough UNFICYP the opening of eight additional crossingpoints for people and goods. This proposal was welcomed inprinciple by the Turkish Cypriot side. UNFICYP is workingwith both sides to realize this objective. Crucial to this isensuring safe passage through the buffer zone, which canonly be achieved with the help of a comprehensive de-mining operation. UNFICYP, together with the Representa-tion of the EU Commission in Cyprus and UNDP/UNOPS,has been working intensively with both sides to attain thisgoal.9. As a goodwill gesture, the Greek Cypriot side, after agap of five years, provided land passage to the TurkishCypriots for the annual August visit to Kokkina, which wasnegotiated and facilitated by UNFICYP. In the same vein, inAugust, the Turkish Cypriot side decided to allow theopening of a secondary school in the Karpas for GreekCypriot children and religious services in the St. Mamaschurch at Morphou, both for the first time since 1974. Theservice was attended by hundreds of Greek Cypriots andproceeded without incident. Again in August, the TurkishCypriot side announced that Maronites could have access totheir properties and could sell a limited amount of land tobuyers other than Greek Cypriots. In addition, both sides arenegotiating through UNFICYP direct fixed and mobiletelephone links with each other. Further, the Committee onMissing Persons in Cyprus resumed its meetings on 30August 2004, following a hiatus of more than four years.10. The number of Turkish troops on the island as well asthe nature of their equipment remains at the same level asbefore, fueling a continued perception of threat in the south.In addition, the restrictions of movement imposed in July

2000 by the Turkish Forces/Turkish Cypriot SecurityForces, notwithstanding their limited easing in May 2003,continue to hinder the operations of UNFICYP. Theviolation of the military status quo in Strovilia also persisted.There was also a worrying incident on 27 August when abomb exploded at the St. Mamas church in Morphou, fourdays prior to the religious service by Greek Cypriots there(see para. 9 above).III. UNFICYP’s mandate and tasks11. Since its inception, the mandate of UNFICYP hasremained unchanged. It was provided by the SecurityCouncil in resolution 186 (1964), which states in operativepara. 5 that UNFICYP’s functions “should be, in the interestof preserving international peace and security, to use its bestefforts to prevent a recurrence of fighting and, as necessary,to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law andorder and a return to normal conditions”. The mandate hasproven to be broad and flexible enough for the force toadjust its tasks in response to changes on the ground,particularly in the aftermath of the events of 1974.12. UNFICYP is composed of three substantive com-ponents – political/civil affairs, civilian police and military.The political/civil affairs unit is engaged in aiding politicalas well as humanitarian, economic and bi-communalcontacts; the civilian police component contributes to themaintenance of law and order, in particular in the bufferzone; and the military contingents are deployed to ensure, tothe extent possible, the maintenance of the military statusquo along the ceasefire lines. Over the years, the specifictasks and operational emphasis of the three componentshave adapted to the changed realities on the ground.IV. Political and Civil Affairs13. UNFICYP is headed by the Chief of Mission who alsoacts as my Special Representative, assisted by a SeniorAdviser and a Spokesperson. UNFICYP’s civil affairsbranch consists of two civil affairs officers, who aresupported by a number of civil police and military personneldedicated specifically to this task.14. The Chief of Mission provides overall leadership toUNFICYP and serves as the prime UN interlocutor on theisland with both sides. He and his office serve as a contactpoint, providing advice and assistance as needed. In theabsence of a senior official dedicated to my good offices, theChief of Mission ensures continuing contact at the highestlevels with the two sides on the island.15. Following the April referenda, the role of UNFICYP hasagain become particularly important since the missionremains the only UN political interface on the island. Thesides regard UNFICYP’s facilitator role as critical in theprevailing context.16. The mission’s political role has also grown in scope inview of the numerous confidence-building initiatives, theneed to deal with the present uncertainty on key politicalquestions and the concomitant potential for frictions on theisland.17. Until 1999, UNFICYP’s civil affairs activities consistedmainly of support for farming and industry within the bufferzone and ensuring that the ceasefire lines did not disrupt theprovision of utilities such as water, electricity and sewageservices between the communities. Humanitarian assistanceinvolved facilitating Greek Cypriot-sponsored supply con-voys to the Greek Cypriots and Maronites in the north,disbursal of social welfare payments to the Greek Cypriots

in the north and assistance in securing temporary and perma-nent transfers of Greek Cypriots to the south. UNFICYP alsoregularly visited Turkish Cypriots living in the south.18. While UNFICYP’s civil affairs branch, supported by thepolice and military components of the mission, still carriesout these activities, its tasks have grown qualitatively andquantitatively. Today, civil affairs officers intercede onbehalf of members of one community on the other side toease their situation, seek goodwill and concessions on issuesranging from visits, crossings, educational, cultural, reli-gious and other rights; negotiate agreement by the sides tomaximize opportunities for civil use of the buffer zone likereopening roads, sports fields, and economic enterprisessuch as dairies, stables, workshops etc.; and mediate onhum-anitarian and a range of other practical issues. Civilaffairs officers also mediate between the sides on economicand legal issues in the mixed village of Pyla.19. Civil affairs officers also serve as a source of advice tothe civilian police component in cases of arrest, detentionand trial on either side; and provide analysis and reportingon political developments. Goodwill from the two sides,combined with UNFICYP’s impartial role, underpin theseefforts promoting a return to normal conditions and the well-being of the population on both sides.20. Because the Office of the Senior Adviser has no sub-stantive support staff, and in the absence of a political officewithin UNFICYP, the civil affairs branch has assumed somefunctions normally carried out in a political section. It hasbecome a de-facto extension of the Office of the Chief ofMission, regularly supporting that office's mediating efforts,negotiations and reporting. The Head of the civil affairsbranch serves as the Senior Adviser’s deputy.21. In view of the growing workload and complexity oftasks in the area of political and civil affairs in recent times,the review team recommended a small increase in thestaffing of the Office of the Chief of Mission and the civilaffairs branch.V. Civilian Police22. UNFICYP’s civilian police officers, who live among thelocal community, are the first point of contact for the civilianpopulation within the buffer zone. While the mandatedstrength of UNFICYP’s civilian police component is 69personnel, the actual strength is 44 personnel (see annex),deployed in seven stations, including major offices in Pylaand Nicosia and smaller offices in or near the buffer zone.23. UNFICYP’s civilian police perform a range of com-munity and humanitarian tasks. These include contributingto the maintenance and restoration of law and order in thebuffer zone; preserving its integrity from unauthorized entryor activities of civilians; and facilitating and monitoring in-vestigations in the buffer zone by the Cyprus Police and theTurkish Cypriot Police Element. UNFICYP’s civilian policeare the only conduit for contacts between the two policeforces on the island and they provide essential impartialliaison between the police in the north and the south inmatters that cross community boundaries. UNFICYP’scivilian police also play a major role in support of the civilaffairs branch in their humanitarian activities, and of themilitary component in detecting intruders, and dealing withhunters and demonstrations in the buffer zone. In addition,civilian police officers work closely with the military SectorCivil Affair Teams in the three sectors.

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October 2004 - The Blue Beret 76 October 2004 - The Blue Beret

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24. UNFICYP’s police role in the mixed village of Pyla isespecially significant, since it is directly responsible for theconduct of law enforcement by the two sides. Its presencehas helped to reduce tensions and resolve disputes in thevillage on a number of sensitive issues.25. Since April 2003, UNFICYP’s civilian police havebeen increasingly involved in monitoring the crossingpoints as well as incidents on one side involving Cypriotsfrom the other. Such incidents have been relatively few,compared to the number of crossings. Since the accessionof Cyprus into the EU, there has been a substantial increasein the number of refugees or illegal immigrants crossing thebuffer zone. This is expected to continue and will impact onthe workload of UNFICYP’s civilian police. In addition,with the commencement of de-mining activities in thebuffer zone scheduled for later this year, there will be asignificant rise in the requirement for community liaison. Itis also envisaged that civilian police officers will take overregulating various civilian activities in the buffer zone fromthe military Sector Civil Affairs Teams.26. The review team recommended that the present ceilingfor UNFICYP’s civilian police component be maintained atthe level of 69, which is deemed sufficient for the timebeing to cover any additional tasks, since the current deploy-ment is only 45.

VI. Military27. The current authorized strength of UNFICYP’s militarycomponent is 1,230 all ranks (see annex), deployed in threesectors, which cover the 180km-long buffer zone. Theforce maintains 12 camps, 17 permanent observation postsand 21 patrol bases.28. The force continues to perform its primary function ofmaintenance of the military status quo and prevention of arecurrence of fighting. To this end, it maintains constantsurveillance using a combination of static observation postsand mobile patrols, in vehicles, on foot and by helicopters.It also investigates and acts upon violations of the ceasefirewith the aim of restoring the status quo; defuses cases oftension, including through the deployment of troops; andmaintains regular liaison and communications with thecommand level of the military forces on both sides.29. The review team found that the security situation on theisland has become increasingly benign over the last fewyears. There has been a steady reduction in the number ofincidents and violations of the ceasefire by the opposingforces, which are, based on the figures for the first eightmonths of this year, projected to be a quarter of the level of1999. Where the opposing forces are separated, thesituation is usually quiet. The majority of incidents occurwhere the opposing forces are in close proximity, which isthe case for about 11 kilometres of the ceasefire line, inparticular in the city of Nicosia. Even there, the nature ofthe incidents remains minor. There have also been fewerand smaller demonstrations. The last major incidentinvolving loss of life occurred in 1996.30. Despite the absence of a formal agreement on thedelineation of the ceasefire lines, the two sides have by nowimplicitly accepted UNFICYP’s definition of the lines withvery few exceptions. The reduction in moves forward in2004 across the ceasefire lines into the buffer zone is in linewith a downward trend in incidents. Indeed, since the re-deployment of UNFICYP following the events of 1974, noincursions, raids or patrols from one side to the other across

the buffer zone have occurred.31. Since 2001, no major military exercises by either sidehave been undertaken and it is hoped that none will be heldin 2004. There have been no deployments of forces fromthe Greek or Turkish mainland for exercises in Cyprus inrecent years. Training activity on both sides remain at rou-tine peacetime levels. There has been a noticeable reductionin the size and profile of military parades in both the northand south. In August 2003, the Greek Cypriot side announ-ced a significant cut in defence spending. Last July, theTurkish Cypriot side made serious efforts to avoid airviolations of the buffer zone in their annual parades. Therehave been rotations of troops and equipment in the northrecently but it was assessed that they did not imply areinforcement.32. The opening of crossing points in 2003 has also led toa reduction in the military presence in the vicinity of thecrossing points. The de-mining project also constitutes animportant military confidence building measure. And whilethe referenda in April 2004 did not result in a settlement, themilitary situation has remained remarkably calm through-out the process.33. Taking into account these positive trends while notingthat at the same time considerable military capability stillremains on the island, the review team assessed that arecurrence of fighting in Cyprus is increasingly unlikely,but that the potential for minor local violence andchallenges to the cease-fire regime still exists. UNFICYP’smilitary component still needs to carry out the whole rangeof tasks entrusted to it, but the emphasis is moving towardliaison, observation and mediation rather than thedeployment of forces to prevent the recurrence of fightingand to maintain the status quo. In addition, some of thetasks performed by the military, such as police assistanceand civil affairs responsibilities, may be carried out moreefficiently by other components of the mission.34. In light of this assessment, the review team concludedthat adjustments could be made to the military concept ofoperations. Since 1990, the force has been configured foroperations in a patrol base concept. Battalion-size sectorshave been sub-divided into company areas of responsibility,which in turn have been divided into smaller platoon areas.The force has been dispersed in a framework of severalcamps and small patrol bases throughout the buffer zone.Each patrol base has its own operations room and in manycases its own quick reaction force. This concept wasappropriate when the frequency and quantity of incidentswarranted a permanent reactive presence everywhere. Butas activity levels have declined, such a permanent presenceis no longer required in all areas. By concentrating the forceelements in fewer sector camps, operational efficiencycould be improved and force protection could be enhanced.There could also be savings in personnel, logistics andadministrative tasks. Fewer troops would be required toadminister and guard camps, and to staff operations rooms.Reaction forces could be centralised. Command and controlof the force would be streamlined and the logistic re-supplyof patrol bases, often in difficult terrain, could be reduced.35. The force could also adjust its concept of observationand surveillance. In the early years of the mission, the forcesurveillance plan was based upon static observation posts.As the situation settled, more mobile surveillance wasconducted to allow more flexibility. The review team con-cluded that a further shift in emphasis from static to mobilesurveillance would be appropriate at this stage, resulting insavings of personnel and resources. Better use of

technology could also improve the force’s effectiveness,including closed circuit television and improvement ininformation technology. Additional helicopter hours wouldalso be required.36. This new concept of operation – which might be titled“concentration with mobility” – is intended to maintain thesame level of mandate implementation, with a moreefficient use of resources.37. In light of the foregoing, the review team recommendedan adjustment of the military force. By adopting a moremobile concept of operations, combined with a rational-isation of infrastructure and command and control, the forcecould be reduced by about 30% to an overall strength of 860military personnel, including a small military observer andliaison group (see para. 39 below). This would be achievedby troop reductions in all three sectors. A mobile forcereserve, a small military helicopter unit, a platoon of forceengineers and the military police unit would still berequired in approximately current numbers. There wouldalso be little change to the Headquarters military staff. It isto be noted, that any adjustment to the concept of operationsand force levels implies some operational risk, but that thisrisk is assessed to be low.38. The review team also considered thoroughly the optionof transforming UNFICYP’s military component into amilitary observer group. It came to the conclusion thatfurther conditions would need to be met in order to proceedwith this option, most importantly troop withdrawals andthe disengagement of opposing forces in areas where theyare in close proximity. The review team, therefore, consi-dered this option as inappropriate at this stage. However,should the current trends continue and the situation on theisland remain calm, this option should be re-visited.39. The review team also concluded that a small observerand liaison group within UNFICYP could add a valuablecapability, given the increased importance of the militarycomponent’s liaison and mediation tasks. This militaryobserver and liaison group would be specifically structuredfor UNFICYP. The officers would be part of the militarycontingents – as opposed to recruiting military observers inthe traditional way – and drawn, to the extent possible, fromthe existing troop contributors. They would liaise with themilitary forces from both sides, to investigate majorincidents and to solve problems through mediation andnegotiation. The military observer and liaison group wouldbe fully integrated into the existing chain of command. Thereview team believed that, at this stage, it would beappropriate to include in the overall strength of 860 troopsup to 40 such military observers and liaison officers.

VII. Financial Aspects40. The General Assembly, in its resolution 58/301 of 18June 2004, appropriated for UNFICYP an amount of $51.9million for the period from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,including $2.2 million for strengthening the security andsafety of the staff and premises of the Force. In this regard,I am grateful for the voluntary contribution of one third ofthe cost of the Force, equivalent to $16.4 million from theGovernment of Cyprus and the voluntary contribution of$6.5 million from the Government of Greece. Othercountries and organizations might wish to do likewise, so asto lower the portion of UNFICYP’s cost covered byassessed contributions.41. Financial resources approved by the General Assemblyfor the 2004-2005 financial period provide for the main-tenance of the Force at its currently authorized military

strength of 1,230 all ranks. While savings arising from theproposed amended concept of operations are to beexpected, their magnitude will be determined at a later stagewhen a logistical support plan related to the reconfigurationof the military force is finalized. Such savings will bereported to the General Assembly in the context of theForce’s budget performance report for the 2004-2005 period.42. As at 31 August 2004, unpaid assessed contributions tothe special account for UNFICYP for the period from 16June 1993 to 15 December 2004 amounted to $24.7 million.As at the same date, the total outstanding assessed contri-butions for all peacekeeping operations amounted to$2,346.9 million.

VIII. Observations43. As stated in my previous report on UNFICYP (seeS/2004/427, para. 18), I continue to believe that in theabsence of a comprehensive settlement, the presence ofUNFICYP on the island remains necessary for themaintenance of the ceasefire and to foster conditionsconducive to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprusproblem. The review conducted in pursuance of resolution1548 (2004), found that this view is shared by both sides onthe island, as well as by the guarantor powers, and otherinterested parties. Nevertheless, in view of the develop-ments on the ground, and given that the last comprehensivereview of UNFICYP took place in 1993 (see S/26777, 22November 1993), a comprehensive review of UNFICYP'smandate, concept of operations and force levels hadbecome necessary.44. I concur with the findings of the review and I thereforerecommend a reduction of the strength of UNFICYP’smilitary component to 860 all ranks, including up to 40military observers/liaison officers. The civilian policedeployment would be increased while remaining within thecurrent authorized strength. In addition, the mission'spolitical and civil affairs component would be strengthenedas envisaged in para. 21 above. These practical measureswill allow UNFICYP to continue to carry out the wholerange of its mandated tasks, while taking into account thechanged environment, and achieving a more efficientutilization of resources. They will also provide the basis fora further transformation of the mission, as warranted bydevelopments on the ground, after a further review whichshould take place before the end of the next mandate period,in mid-2005.45. While the political developments may require theappointment of a full-time Special Adviser at some stage, Ido not intend to make such an appointment now. Therefore,the Chief of Mission of UNFICYP will act as my SpecialRepresentative on the ground for continuous contact at thehighest level with the two sides and other key players on theCyprus question. In support of this expanded function, thecapacity of UNFICYP for political analysis and reportingneeds to be strengthened. In addition, I may considerdesignating, on an ad hoc basis, senior officials of theSecretariat to deal with any particular aspects of my goodoffices that might require special attention.46. I would therefore recommend that the Council approvethe amended concept of operations and force level ofUNFICYP and extend the mandate of UNFICYP for afurther six-month period, starting 15 December 2004 andending 15 June 2005. This would allow the restructuring tobe implemented in a systematic fashion and providesufficient time for experience with the new structure for anext review.

8 9October 2004 - The Blue BeretOctober 2004 - The Blue Beret

South of Saint Tychon(as) – Limassol’seastern suburb – lies the once importantancient site of Amathus, one of the island’soldest city-kingdoms. Here, on an uphillarea north of the coastal road, archaeo-logists are still in the process of unravellingthe site’s mysteries and revealing its past.

Already, however, architectural ruinsthat spread over an area of about fivesquare kilometres supply enough

material to show how Amathus might havelooked during the various phases of its longhistory, spanning from the last years of the2nd millennium BC to the end of the 7th

century AD.According to mythology, the name of the

city comes from Amathus, the son of Aerias,King of Paphos, and grandson of Herakles.In other stories, the name derives from Ama-thusa, the mother of King Kinyras of Paphos.

In efforts to reveal the history behind themythology, excavations using proper scienti-fic methods were carried out by the legen-dary Swedish Cyprus Expedition in 1930,and later by the Department of Antiquitiesand the French School (of Archaeology) inAthens.

The finds surrendered by the excavationsso far show that the extended area aroundAmathus had been inhabited as early as theaceramic Neolithic period (approximately8000-7500 BC). The earliest pottery depositat Amathus itself, however, dates much later,to about 1100 BC. This indicates that peoplelived in the area long before the city-kingdom was founded in the 8th century BC.

It is easy to understand why the site ofAmathus was chosen: it had naturaldefences; was close to forested areas andwater supplies; the sea allowed for a doubleharbour; and there were copper minesnearby. Indeed, all that was needed for a safeand prosperous life was easily accessible.

In 499/8 BC, during the Greco-Persianwar, the king of Amathus fought on the sideof the Persians – who then controlled theisland – against his fellow kings, such as theking of Salamis. Later, under Roman rule,Amathus became the capital of one of thefour Roman districts on the island. Arabraids in the 7th century AD, however, and thesilting-up of the harbour, led to the city’sgradual decline.

The result is extensive ruins that includethe defensive walls and gates, along withpublic buildings such as a palace, agora,acropolis, temples (which were turned intochurches with the arrival of Christianity),aqueducts, cemeteries and individual tombs,as well as an inner and an outer harbour.

The Ruins of AmathusFounded in the 8th century BC and reconstructed various times until

the 7th century AD, Amathus had a defensive system that included theSouthwest Wall and Gate (5), the Central Wall of the Acropolis (6), the WestWall (10), the North Wall (13), the East Wall (15), and the East Gate (18).

The complex of the Agora (market place) (1) includes a large paved square withporticos, Roman and Hellenistic baths, a Nympheum, shops and a drainage system.

North of the Agora is a Subterranean Cult Place (2), while in the west, a Complexof Buildings (3) is arranged on three levels. At the foot of the Acropolis is a smallBasilica Church (4).

At the Palace (7), the high quality of the workmanship and the finding of clay seals,bronze styli, and many large storage jars suggest an important administrative andeconomic centre. Built in the middle of the 8th century BC and reconstructed lateraround 500 BC, the Palace was partially destroyed many centuries later.

The Archaic and Hellenistic homes (8) are found some 50 metres west of the Palace. The Stairway of Kallinikos (9) was a gift by L.V. Kallinikos, a Greek who became

a Roman citizen.The Sanctuary of Aphrodite (11) began functioning in the 8th century BC. Although

very little remains of this period, religious vestiges found here indicate Greek, Easternand Egyptian influences. In the courtyard there were two colossal monolith vases ofthe 7th century BC: fragments of one remain in place, while the other was taken to theLouvre in 1865. This vase weighs about 13 tons and measures almost 2 metres highand more than 3 metres in diameter.

An inscription on the bull under one of the handles, written in the Cypriot Syllabary,reads “a-na”. This word means nothing in Greek, and in fact belongs to the Eteo-cypriot language. The term “Eteocypriot” was coined by scholars in the 19th century todenote the indigenous population of Cyprus before the arrival of the Greeks and thePhoenicians in the 13th and 9th centuries BC respectively. (Eteocypriot skeletonsshowed great similarities to the Aegean Middle Bronze population.) Greek and Eteo-cypriot were the two official languages of the kingdom until the fourth century BC. The large Temple of Aphrodite was constructed in 70-100 AD under Roman rule. Laterin the 6th and 7th centuries, stones from the temple were used to construct a Church (12)measuring 32 by 15 metres, which was the last monument built here.

An aqueduct (14), probably Hellenistic, traverses the cemetery outside the northwall in a NNW-SSW direction.

The Church of Saint Tychon(as) (16) is dedicated to the first Bishop of Amathus.Nothing remains of the first (4th century) and the second (5th century) phase of thebuilding. Only the third and final Frankish construction (14th-15th centuries) remains –a small building of 26 by 7 metres.

Southeast of Saint Tychon Church lies the Hellenistic Eastern Suburb (17), with apaved and centrally drained road connecting them.

Remains of the podium of a Mausoleum (19) were found in the cemetery outside ofthe city in the east.

The Great Southeast Basilica (20) is a huge church, originally 70 metres in length.This three-aisled basilica of the 6th century lost its southern half to the sea.

The Outer Harbour (21), constructed at the end of the 4th century BC, measured 180by 100 metres. It silted up quite soon after its construction, but its submerged jetties canbe seen through the water.

The Inner Harbour (22) occupied the sandy depression betweenthe ticket office and the modern coastal road. As the outer harboursilted up and access between the two harbours was hampered, it wasgradually abandoned.

East Cemetery and Basilica of Saint Barbara (23). A number ofimportant rock-cut tombs were found in this cemetery. To its west,excavations brought to light a grotto chapel of Saint Barbara.

A Rock-cut Tomb (24) with a central and three subsidiaryfunerary chambers at the end of a long dromos was found west ofAmathus.

The West Cemetery and the Tomb of the Amathus Beach Hotel(25). Vases, figurines, jewellery and other finds of this cemeteryfrom the Geometric through to the Roman period are in the LimassolMuseum.

Top of a column in the form ofHathor (Egyptiah goddess)

found at Amathus

Marble head from theSanctuary of Aphrodite

Plan of Amathus

Plan of the Agora Stone vase transferred to the Louvre in 1865

1. Agora2. Subterranean cult place3. Complex west of the agora4. Southwest basilica5. Southwest wall and west gate6. Central wall of Acropolis7. Palace8. Archaic habitation9. Stairway of Kallinikos10. West wall11. Sanctuary of Aphrodite12. Basilica on the Acropolis

summit13. North wall

14. Aqueduct15. East wall16. Church of Saint Tychonas17. Eastern suburb18. East gate19. Mausoleum20. Southeast basilica21. Outer harbour22. Inner harbour23. East cemetery and basilica of

Saint Varvara24. Rock-cut tomb25. West cemetery and tomb of the

Amathus Beach Hotel

1. Hellenistic baths: tholos2. Hellenistic baths: annexes3. South street4. Drain5. West portico6. Shops7. Paved square8. Fountain9. Entrance to west portico10. North portico11. Stone conduit12. Terracotta conduits13. East portico14. Street15. Roman baths16. Rectangular building17. Fountain-reservoir18. Vaulted reservoir19. Conduit20. Pool21. Branch line22. Retaining wall23. Early Byzantine rampart

Amathus

11October 2004 - The Blue BeretOctober 2004 - The Blue Beret10

Every six months, a rotation of the majority of Sector1 personnel takes place. This time, the rotation wascompleted on 7 October and coincided with the

rotation of the Commanding Officer, a one-year post.Thus, Lt. Col. Federico Sidders assumed command of theSector.

The rotation took place in three phaseswith troops travelling to and from BuenosAires on an Argentine Air Force Boeing 707,more than 15,000 km away from Cyprus. Inthis way, almost 375 men and women of TaskForce 23 returned home and left their posts intheir comrades’ hands.

There were only a few soldiers who hadserved with UNFICYP before. The new-comers therefore assumed their duties withtrepidation, curiosity and even a little aston-ishment… Cyprus is a completely new experi-ence to them as regards culture, history,religion and language - quite a different placeto the one they left behind in South America.

However, all this has been happeningregularly for over 11 years when Argentiniantroops were first deployed to Cyprus and gavebirth to Task Force No. 1, taking over Sector 1

from the Danish Contingent in September 1993.ARGCON is a “Joint and Combined Contingent”.

Active duty personnel come from the Argentinian Army,Navy, and Air Force. Since their arrival, Sector 1 hasincorporated soldiers from other South American countries,including one platoon from Chile, a second one fromParaguay, and a third from Peru, and officers and non-commissioned officers from Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay.

It’s a case of history repeating itself. Almost exactly oneyear ago, 26th Regiment Royal Artillery took over from40th Regiment Royal Artillery in Southern Iraq for OP

TELIC 3. Twelve months later, the Regiment found itselfin a very different yet eerily similar situation in Cyprus.

26th Regiment Royal Artillery was formed as a distinctunit in only relatively modern times, its antecedents datingback to 24 October 1899. It was not until 1947 that 26th

Regiment was formed from 4th Field Artillery Brigade, re-uniting batteries which had served together in variousforms and under various titles for many years.

26th Regiment is, in fact, unique in the Gunners forbeing the only Regiment to have kept its three original gunbatteries (17, 16 and 159). Since 1947, either all, or largeelements of 26th Regiment, have served in Egypt, Cyprus,Hong Kong, the UK, Northern Ireland, Belize, Germany,the Falkland Islands, the Gulf, Bosnia and Kosovo.

The Regiment’s modern history is just as varied. TheRegiment converted from M109 to AS90 in 1994. Since1990, it has deployed on operations in the Gulf (1991),Northern Ireland (1994), Bosnia (1996 and 1998) andKosovo in 1999.

2003 found the Regiment deploying with 3 RHA onOP TELIC 1, where the guns were used extensivelythroughout the conflict. After briefly returning to Guter-sloh, the Regiment then went back to Iraq on OP TELIC 3as an Infantry battle group. Another quick turn around inGermany and now the Regiment is in Cyprus.

The Regiment is commanded by Lt.Col. Julian Free, MBE.Born in Plymouth, Julian Free was

commissioned into the Royal Artilleryin 1986. Prior to this, he read PhysicalEducation and Mathematics at St.Luke’s College, Exeter University.

Following Sandhurst, he was postedto 1 Regiment Royal Artillery inHohne in 1987. On return to the UK,he joined 7th Parachute RegimentRoyal Horse Artillery.

After two years at the Army StaffCollege (1994-1995), he was postedto Headquarters Quartermaster Gen-eral as the SO2 responsible forstaffing and costing the support strate-gies for all new artillery, surveillanceand target acquisition equipment and

ammunition to the Equipment Appro-val Committee.

In 1998, he returned to 7th ParachuteRegiment as Battery Commander of GParachute Battery (Mercer’s Troop).

During his tour, the Battery deployedwith 1 Battalion, the ParachuteRegiment, for the entry into Kosovoand the subsequent occupation ofPristina and initial insertion intoSierra Leone.

Following this excitement, he wasposted back to Andover in 2001 (via asix-month tour as Military Assistant tothe Chief Of Staff KFOR) as the Mili-tary Assistant to the QuartermasterGeneral. He took command of 26 Regi-ment Royal Artillery in June 2003.

Colonel Julian is married to Babsand they have a daughter, Lottie, and ason, Tristan. A keen sportsman, heenjoys chasing balls of all sorts, andcasting flies whilst furthering hisarboreal knowledge.

Lt. Col. Federico Sidders wasborn on 8 May 1959 in Buenos

Aires, Argentina. He completed highschool studies in 1976, joining theArgentine Army the following yearas a cadet of the Military Academy.

He graduated as a Second Lieu-tenant of the Cavalry Corps fouryears later in 1980, and was appoin-ted to the 4th Cavalry MountainRegiment.

As a junior officer, he also servedin the 3rd Cavalry ExplorerArmoured Squadron, School ofCavalry, 161 Cavalry ExplorerArmoured Detachment and CavalryGrenadiers “General San Martín”Regiment.

After completion of the StaffOfficer’s Course at the Superior WarSchool in 1994, he was appointed tothe 7th Cavalry Tank “CuirassiersCoronel Estomba” Regiment, where

he served as Operations Officer andafterwards as Second in Commandfrom 1997 to 1999.

He was then assigned to theOperations Department at theArmy’s General Staff Headquarters.

In 2003, he assumed commandof the 11th Cavalry Tank “Defendersof National Honor” Regiment, theunit where he served until his latestassignment as CO Sector 1.

Lt. Col. Sidders is married toMaría Teresa Casanova, and theyhave three children, Federico (15),María Mercedes (14) and Lucía (9).

Lt. Col. Sidders enjoys his freetime with his family, and his hobbiesinclude horse riding and polo.

26 Regt. RA takeover Sector 2

The Secretary-General wasdelighted to learn of the awardof the Nobel Peace Prize for

2004 to Wangari Maathai, whichshows that the Nobel Committeeshares his view on the need for abroad vision of human security, inwhich the connections betweenpeace, development and responsiblestewardship of the environment areclearly understood.

Renowned and admired through-out her native Kenya and acrossAfrica for her pioneering struggleagainst deforestation and forwomen’s rights and democracy, Ms.

Maathai has also played an im-portant role at UN conferences suchas the Earth Summit, making animprint on the global quest forsustainable development. She hashad a long and fruitful relationship

with the United Nations, includingmembership on various UN advi-sory boards and juries. Selfless andsteadfast, Ms. Maathai has been achampion of the environment, ofwomen, of Africa, and of anyoneconcerned about our future security.

As a fellow African, as well as inhis official capacity, the Secretary-General warmly congratulated Ms.Maathai on the richly earned recog-nition, and hoped the timely awardwould bring new urgency to thecauses to which she has devoted herlife.

New York, 8 October 2004

Nobel Peace Prize 2004

The Queen’s Royal Hussars was formed in 1993 by theamalgamation of the Queen’s Own Hussars and theQueen’s Royal Irish Hussars, themselves formed

from four regiments in 1958.Although the history of the Regiment begins with the

famous cavalry regiments of the line over 300 years ago,today, the Queen’s Royal Hussars is equipped withChallenger 2, one of the most potent main battle tanks in theworld. Since its formation, the Regiment has undertakenoperational tours, both mounted in its tanks and in thedismounted role in theatres as diverse as Bosnia, NorthernIreland, Kosovo, and most recently in Iraq.

In the last two years, A Squadron has provided emer-gency cover for the British firemen’s strikes, undertakenarmoured battle group exercises in Canada, and its soldiersenforced the peace in southern Iraq. The squadron was dis-banded as a sub-unit for the tour of Iraq, but since comingback together in April 2004, we have fired tank ranges inGermany prior to changing back to the light role for Cyprus.

In preparation for our deployment to Cyprus as part ofthe 26 Regiment Royal Artillery Group, we have con-centrated our training on the skills required to handlesituations which might arise in Cyprus, situations which areso different to those we became accustomed to in Iraq.

This is the first United Nations tour for many of oursoldiers, and facing the challenges of working in such adifferent environment is proving to be very satisfying andenjoyable.

The Queen’sRoyal Hussars

Sector 1 Rotation

CO Sector 2, Lt. Col. Julian Free, MBE

CO Sector 1, Lt. Col. Federico Sidders

1312 October 2004 - The Blue BeretOctober 2004 - The Blue Beret

Ross Wickware is our new FieldSecurity Officer.

Originally from Calgary, Canada,Ross is a former military peace-keeper. His first tour was in Bosnia in1994. Then in 2002, he worked asField Security Adviser, NorthernRegion, for the World Food Pro-gramme in Afghanistan, and in 2004,he set up the Security Programme for10 international NGOs in the pro-vince of Balochistan, Pakistan.

“I was in Quetta, Pakistan, whenthe opportunity to work for UNFI-

CYP arose, and I jumped at theopportunity. I was in the process ofhiring national staff when this posi-tion was offered, so I hired a replace-ment for me as well,” explains Ross.

“A bit of a cultural shock, fromthe dust of south central Asia, to thebeauty of a Mediterranean island.Regrettably, the world has become avery dangerous environment, but Iam pleased to be a part of thismission, and look forward to assist-ing all staff in making this a safer andmore secure operational area.”

Our new Chief Personnel &Logistics Officer is Lt. Col. AlexThomas Boyd.

Lt. Col. Boyd’s previous peace-keeping work includes a posting asChief Logistics Officer at UNAMSILin Sierra Leone and various positionsat UNIKOM in Iraq.

Lt. Col. Boyd was raised in Glas-gow and describes himself as being“of pure Scottish stock”.

“My wife Christine joins me inearly November,” he explains joyfully,“and we look forward to exploringCyprus and the Middle East together

during this tour. I do speak poorArabic, and can order a beer in manyother languages.

“No doubt my daughter Sophie,who is a holistic therapist and worldtraveller, will join us at the earliestopportunity. On the other hand, myson Ross may find it difficult to visitextensively, as he is currently goingthrough his officer training at Sand-hurst and will have little free timethis year”.

Lt. Col. Boyd plans to continuestudying after he retires from themiltary.

UNCIVPOL Commander Carla vanMaris is from Arnhem, The Nether-lands.

After studies in Sociology and thePolice Academy, Commander vanMaris worked in four different policeforces in The Netherlands and at theMinistry for the Interior, Public Order

and Safety Department. She wasdeployed in Community Policing,Criminal Investigation (vice squad),Mounted Police and Police NationalTraining.

In 1994 she joined UNOSOM II inSomalia where she served for 15months as sector commander inKismayo. “The toughest mission so farfor me,” says Commander van Maris.

She was later promoted Commis-sioner of Police and became DistrictCommander in the Rotterdam PoliceForce. From 1996 to 1997, the DutchGovernment sent her on specialassignment to Eritrea and Ethiopia toconduct an analysis of the police.

She then served at UN HQ NY from1998 to 1999 as coordinator of theAfrican peacekeeping missions for

CIVPOL for 15 months and wasdeployed to Angola (MONUA), SierraLeone (UNOMSIL) and to the CentralAfrican Republic (MINURCA). Thenfrom 2002 to 2004, she worked at theUNHCR HQ in Geneva as Chief ofField Staff Safety.

As a guest lecturer for the RaoulWallenberg Institute in Sweden onPolicing and Human Rights, Com-mander van Maris has lectured inVietnam for the Vietnamese Police.She has also held the post of vice-president of the European Network forPolicewomen, and has lectured onequal opportunities/ethnic minoritiesin the UK, USA and Belgium.

An avid reader, she also studiesHindi, and frequently travels to Indiato study the culture.

Sector 4’s new Deputy CommandingOfficer, Lt. Col. Csaba Csorba, wascommissioned into the Hungarian AirDefence in 1984.

He served in 14th Air Defence Regi-ment as Platoon Leader and DeputyBattery Comander. Then in 1989, hewas posted to 5th Anti-Aircraft Bri-gade as Battery Commander. Afterattending a Staff Officer’s course, hewas appointed Operations Officer atbrigade level. In 1994, he was postedto 5th Mechanized Brigade as Chief

of the Air Defence Branch.After graduating from the Hun-

garian Defence University in militarymanagement, he was posted to 3rd

Mechanized Division as ActingDeputy Chief of the Air DefenceBranch. He presently holds theposition of Chief of Staff, 5th AirDefence Missile Regiment.

Lt. Col. Csorba is married toKatalin and they have a son (17).His interests include travelling andhistory.

New Faces from..... Visitors to UNFICYP from .....

..... Slovakia

..... Austria

State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Slovakia,Mr. Martin Fedor, along with the Director of his

office, paid a visit to UNFICYP on 7 and 8 October.UNFICYP Senior Adviser, Mr. Wlodek Cibor, wel-

comed the Slovak visitors to the HQ on 7 October andbriefed them on the political situation in Cyprus.

Then the State Secretary and the Slovak Ambassadorwere escorted to the old Nicosia International Airport fora further briefing. Afterwards, State Secretary Fedor metwith Slovak peacekeepers serving at the Headquarters todiscuss various issues concerning their tours.

The next day, the State Secretary, accompanied by COSector 4, Lt. Col. Martin Backo, went on a tour of thebuffer zone to see Slovak soldiers on duty close up. InFamagusta’s General Stefánik Camp, the State Secretarymet with senior military personnel and also took theopportunity to visit the liaison post in the Karpas.

The Austrian Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr.E. Strasser, together with members of his

ministry, paid an offical visit to Cyprus on 7 and 8October.

On 8 October, Mr. Strasser visited HQUNFICYP. He was welcomed by an honour guard,following which he and his entourage were greetedby the Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Hebert Figoli.

After the welcome, the Senior Adviser, Mr.Wlodek Cibor, gave a short briefing to the Ministeron the current situation in Cyprus.

The Austrian Minister did not leave withoutmeeting with the Austrian personnel (military andcivilian) currently serving with HQ UNFICYP. Thismeeting took place at the UNOPS offices whereveterinary specialist Dr. Gerhart Zechner gave ashort briefing on the work of UNOPS.

Soon after, Mr. Strasser and his entourage left theisland for the next stage of their tour – Italy.

The Netherlands

The UK

Hungary

Canada

During the month of October, three chequestotalling C£1,066 were presented to threecharities in Cyprus: “Help Those With

Cancer” (north Cyprus); “Cans for Kids” (southCyprus); and the Kyrenia Leonard Cheshire Home.The money was raised by SSgt. Lee Crawford andMSgt. Guido Abl from HQ UNFICYP when they ran100 km through the buffer zone from UN OP 8(Sector 1) to the Ledra Palace Hotel.

Seen right is Lee presenting one of the cheques toRaziye Kocaismail of the Help Those With Cancerassociation. Raziye said “I am very happy to receivethis donation on behalf of the association, as it willallow 10 cancer patients to be flown overseas fortreatment.”

Lee intends to run the entire length of the bufferzone from UN OP 8 to UN OP 146 (Baywatch –Sector 4) in March 2005 for the same charities.

Buffer Zone Run

Dr. Strasser (right) in conversation with theSenior Adviser (left) and the Force Commander

Mr. Fedor on his visit to OP 139, Camp Triglav

Name: Danijel Macanga,Captain and Commander ofthe Croatian Contingent.Status: Married to Mirta;they have a nine-year-olddaughter, Anamarija. Place of Birth: Djakovo(near Osijek and Vukovarin the Slavonia district).Education: 1997 graduateand 2001 post-graduate ofthe Faculty of Managementand Computer Science inVarazdin.Military Experience:Joined the Croatian army in1996 after 10 months’service as a conscript.Previous Appointment:Chief of IT Section of the operational branch in thegeneral staff of Croatian Armed Forces.Peacekeeping Training: military observation in Zagreb,Croatia and peacekeeping in Nitra, Slovakia.UNFICYP Assignment: Duty Officer, Sector 4.Interests: Free time spent in gym keeping fit andplaying various sports. Interested in computers andsometimes plays chess. At Camp General Stefánik, hewon all the games he played.

Capt. Macanga is proud to be the first Croatian soldierto serve with UNFICYP, and hopes more Croatian sol-diers will serve in Cyprus under the UN flag in the future.

Name: Vera Musil,Captain, Doctor Status: SinglePlace of Birth: SlavonskiBrodEducation: 1994 graduateof the Medical School ofZagreb University.Military Experience:Joined the Croatian armyin 1998. Served in 33Engineer Brigade as leaderof a medical platoon.Previous Appointment:Medical training officer inIMOC Croatia, also for theSlovak Armed Forces.Peacekeeping Training:Military Observer Course

(UNMOC); she also completed pre-deploymenttraining at the Slovak Armed Forces’ UN training basein Nitra.UNFICYP Assignment: Medical Officer, Sector 4Interests: Fills her free time with sports like swim-ming and jogging. Enjoys reading literature.

Also fluent in English and German, Dr. Musil was ableto work in Internal Medicine Education MilitaryHospital in Bad Zwischenahn, Germany for two years.She maintains excellent relations and communicationswith – Croatian, Hungarian and Slovak – members ofSector 4.

While the helicopters are taking a rest from theirdaily flight duties, some of the UN Flightpersonnel dedicate their spare time to the practice

of Taekwondo.This recreational activity was initiated last August. It

helps the students – in this case our UNFICYP pilots andtechnicians – not only to learn about this martial art, butalso to contribute to the improvement of their physical andmental state of health. A bonus is that the instruction takesplace in a relaxed atmosphere of friendship, andstrengthens the bond between the group members.

The brain behind this activity is the instructor, WO3Roberto Maldonado, who graduated as a Black Belt, IVDan. Roberto, who has been practising this art for 17 yearsand teaching it for 14 years, directs a school of TKD backhome in Argentina.

Asked “What is Taekwondo?”, Roberto replied:TKD is a martial art of Korean origin created by General ChoiHoi Hong Hi, where the body, mainly the arms and legs, areused as tool primarily for self-defence, but also for attack.

Literally translated, Taekwondo means:Tae (foot): to fly or to jump, to strike or to destroy withthe foot;Kwon (hand): mainly to strike or to destroy with the hand;Do (way); or the correct way, established by the wiseelders of the past.This art is not only a method or system of self-defence,

but also an approach to living. It is the way in which thelessons of General Choi, his philosophy and principles,

and the experiences we gain which cause us to adopt thesame philosophy and principles, will stay with us for therest of our lives.

It is an art that does not have an equal, either in poweror technique. As a martial art, its discipline, technical andmental training are mortars to construct a pillar of justice,humanity and resolution.What is the objective of these six months of training?The supreme objective of TKD is to eliminate the idea thatthe strong always beat the weak, whether it be on the basisof humility, justice, wisdom, morality or faith.

This practice aims to elevate the human spirit to thehighest level; to have the will to progress, even though thismay be arduous; and to do what is worth doing, no matterhow many difficulties arise.

To be gentle with people; to be a teacher who can guideanyone, regardless of race, religion or ideology; to teachby attitude and ability, not only with words; to be aneternal teacher, who teaches with the body when youngand with words when old.

The hours used in training and physical exercises arenot wasted hours, given the personal satisfaction.

Although TKD is practised solely for the exercise, thebenefits are commensurate with the amount of time putinto it. The exercise benefits are the same for children andwomen as for young or adult men.What can be said about the classes?At first we started classes in the UNPA’s gym, but soon,with the increase of students, we had to move to the hangarat UN Flight.

We meet three times a week, always trying to fix a dayand time that does not interfere with everyday duties.Each class lasts one to two hours, depending on the themeof the day. Basically, a class is divided into the following:warm-up and stretching, basic techniques, free attacks,sport combat, self-defence, and basic forms (TULS).

As a greater knowledge and technique is obtained, the-oretical and practical examinations are taken to evaluatethe students.

The classes were very well attended and today, afteronly two months, we have 13 students, some of whomhave taken the first examination with very good results.

For the first time in UNFICYP history,the Croatian flag was hoisted on 4October in Camp General Stefánik to

mark the beginning of the Croatian contri-bution to Sector 4.

Two Croatian officers, Capt. Vera Musiland Capt. Danijel Macanga, arrived duringthe last rotation to serve as medical and dutyofficers respectively with the SLOHUNcontingent.

The flag parade was held early in themorning, starting with the CO’s inspectionof a battalion line up and a guard of honour.In his welcoming speech, Lt. Col. MartinBacko stated that the arrival of the Croatianofficers would strengthen the multinationalunit’s tradition of cooperation and service,as symbolized by “the UN flag which linksthe nations of the world in the work forpeace”.

Following the speech, the CO gave per-mission for the hoisting of the new flag. TheCroatian national anthem played as the twonew officers raised and saluted their flag.Capt. Macanga expressed his gratitude forthe warm reception and all the supportreceived from members of the SLOHUNcontingent. Both officers are very proud andhonoured to be the first Croatian peace-keepers to serve with UNFICYP.

15October 2004 - The Blue Beret14 October 2004 - The Blue Beret

On 19 October, UNFICYP hosteda party of air cadets and theirinstructors visiting Cyprus

from the UK. The purpose of the daywas to give them an insight into thehistory of Cyprus and the reason forthe presence of UNFICYP.

The first port of call was NicosiaAirport, where the party was hostedby RSM Doherty from Ireland. Thevisit started with a briefing in theshade of the former control towerbuilding, which coincided with thedeparture of one of the ARGAIR UNFlight helicopters on a local mission.The party then split into two groupsand toured the airport facilities wherethey were shown the area formallyused by the Royal Air Force, theterminal building and the hulk of aCyprus Airways Trident 3.

After a packed lunch, the grouptransferred to Wolseley Barracks,

where 2 Regt, Royal Artillery attachedto UNFICYP, played host.

Following a briefing on the rolecarried out by Sector 2, the instructorswere given a fascinating tour of theGreen Line through central Nicosia.

The Air Cadet Organisation isfunded by the British Ministry of

Defence. Its aims are to develop citi-zenship skills in young peoplebetween the ages of 13 and 22 by pro-viding opportunities for them to parti-cipate in flying, gliding, adventuretraining and the opportuniy to acquireeducational qualifications through aVocational Training Scheme.

UK Air Cadets Pay a Flying Visit to UNFICYP

Martial Arts TrainingCroatians Join the UNFICYP Family

Introducing...