TheThe BlueBlue BeretBeret Volume 36 - July 2000

New CM arrives Fighting the Fire at Pilgrimage to Published monthly by the Public Information Office of the United This month we welcome our new Chief of Nations Force in , HQ UNFI- CYP, PO Box 21642, , Mission, Zbigniew Wlosowicz, seen on Cyprus the front cover being greeted by an MFR Austrian peacekeeping Tel: (02) 864550/864416/864408 honour guard at UNFICYP HQ. There are Fax: (02) 864461 also new faces in Sector 2 and some recent E-mail: [email protected] arrivals in Sector 1 and the MFR. By Capt Andreas Scherer Editorial Team Visitors to UNFICYP have included the Sarah Russell We are carrying out a general sur- vey of our engagement in mis- Maj Paul Kolken Austrian Defence Minister and Special Advisor Alvaro de Soto, who came to the sions abroad so that we can fulfil Miriam Taylor our promise to participate in island as part of the preparations for the some difficult missions in the Photography next phase of negotiations in Geneva. Contingent Photographers future within the framework of This is the season when fire becomes a the European Union. We may Unit Press Officers major hazard. Cyprus has already suffered even have to withdraw from Sector 1 1/Lt Maximiliano Vega some, as we are currently partici- extensive fire damage and those of us pating in 17 different missions Sector 2 Capt Fran Recchia

ERET working in the buffer zone need to be par- worldwide. Nevertheless, I Sector 4 Capt Andreas Scherer B ticularly alert. A tiny spark can become a believe that the chances that Capt Zsolt Hatos AUSCON stays in Cyprus are Capt Bernarda Volcank raging inferno in no time at all - as we dis- very good - if it is felt the mission LUE covered on 13 June. is still necessary. News 4 Sector

B UNCIVPOL Garda Cora Whelan Sgt Mick Murray Also in this issue: new technology links Blue Beret: Why does Austria

HE send soldiers on missions

UN Flt 1/Lt Adrian Ferrari editorial Nicosia with New York; UNFICYP sup- T abroad? Can we afford to? MFR Capt Francisco Uceda ports visits to Kokkina and Apostolos Scheibner: It is not a question of FMPU 1/Lt Yge ten Berg Andreas (and saves a life in the process); a Looking across the buffer zone to Varosha - the tourist area of “Can we afford it?” but one of which has been sealed off since 1974 Civil Adm Roger de Weever British team cycle and run the length of “Do we want to afford it?” I believe that missions abroad are The Blue Beret is the in-house journal the buffer zone, and the UN Flight pays t the end of May, Austria’s Federal extremely important for Austria in general. First, of the United Nations Peacekeeping tribute to its star team member - the Minister for Defence Herbert Scheibner Force in Cyprus. The views expressed because Austrian soldiers are good ambassadors for are those of the authors concerned, Hughes 500. Avisited the soldiers of AUSCON serving as us and second because they contribute to peace and and do not necessarily conform with peace-keepers within UNFICYP. safety in regions which are also of interest and

The magazine for UNFICYP’s civilian, military and police personnel Note: sharp-eyed readers will note that this official policy. His programme included meetings with his importance for us at home. We must understand Articles of general interest are invited issue is marked July not June. This is Cypriot counterpart, Hasikos, with Foreign that every conflict in or near Europe has an impact from all members of the Force. because UNFICYP is a forward-looking, Minister Kassoulides, with Austrian soldiers in - even if it is indirect - on Austria. Therefore every Photographs, together with captions, the headquarters and within the Mobile Force should accompany the articles. optimistic organisation and we thought it soldier who secures peace outside of Austria is also made sense to date The Blue Beret with Reserve, as well as with civilian and military rep- a guarantor for the safety of Austria. The copyright of all material in this resentatives from UNFICYP. Blue Beret: Can Austria manage to keep up the journal is vested in United Nations the month in which it appears and is read Publications. Any article or illustra- After a helicopter flight across the buffer zone, quality and quantity of its missions abroad with a tion may be reproduced with the writ- instead of the month that has just passed. he arrived at Camp Duke Leopold V in Fama- professional army if it abolishes the conscription ten permission of the Editor. gusta, where the command and the HQ company system? of the Austrian-Hungarian-Slovenian Battalion Scheibner: We have to look at whether or not we (UNAHSB) are located. can find enough volunteers of the right calibre. We Contents Two companies monitor the buffer zone have to be sure that we have people who are will- between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Editorial/Contents ...... 2 ing to go abroad, and that we can send them quick- ceasefire lines as well as Varosha, the now dilapi- ly if this becomes necessary. This means we have Visit of Austrian Minister of . . . dated former hotel area in Famagusta which has Defence ...... 3 to make sure we prepare personnel well in been sealed off since 1974. The first company is advance. A working group is already focusing on MFR ...... 4 Hungarian; the second is made up of Austrians, establishing general conditions for achieving this. Around and About ...... 5 reinforced by a Slovenian Platoon. Blue Beret: Will it also be a condition that Sector 2 ...... 6/7 After a line tour of Varosha and a tour of the Austrian soldiers go abroad voluntarily? Fighting the Fire at Lefka . . . .8 Austrian company’s area of responsibility in the Scheibner: The voluntary aspect is a principle Sector 1 ...... 9 buffer zone, the minister sat down to dinner and now and will still be a principle in future. But we FMPU ...... 10 chat with some 100 soldiers from all contingents will try to get registrations done earlier to improve UNPA ...... 11 and ranks within UNAHSB. our system so we know who can be sent and where Sector 4 ...... 12 Blue Beret: Austrian soldiers have been serving they can go - if this becomes necessary. That way, with the UN in Cyprus since 1964. How long will people will have more time for training and a bet- Me and My OP ...... 13 Austria continue to participate in this mission? ter chance to train in advance. It also means that Sector 1 ...... 14 Scheibner: I hope that soon Austrian soldiers will we can respond to requests more rapidly because Sports ...... 15 not need to serve here because I, like everyone we have ready-prepared personnel. UNFICYP’s JOC ...... 16 else, hope that a political solution can be found.

IN THIS BLUE BERET: Blue Beret: Can women volunteer for missions However, it is clear - and my discussions here abroad? Front Cover: Honour have reinforced this view - that the Austrian Scheibner: Of course they can. We already have a Guard for New CM Federal Army is doing an excellent job here and female captain serving as a medical doctor here in that this is widely appreciated. Cyprus. 2 July 2000 - The Blue Beret The Blue Beret - July 2000 3 A month in the MFR Nicosia By 1/Lt Luis Fernando Polo Video fter only one month on the island, the Sector 2) newly arrived Argentinian personnel of the . Visit of the Argentine Chief of the Army Staff, AMFR have already realised the importance Gen Brinzoni (no thanks to BSM Kerrigan of belonging to such a unit, both personally and who has us out lined up in the sun for hours on professionally. end waiting to provide honour guards to VIPs) We have already learned many new things. Of . Crowd control exercises for the local reserve link course, we all go through training prior to our tour, of the Sector 4. but it is only when we arrive and spend time with Our greatest challenge at present is to get the personnel from other countries and begin to learn Tactica 4 into operation. about their customs, traditions and ways of work- The MFR’s doors are always open - so drop in On the final day of the The video conference was presided over by ing that we really begin to appreciate what a unit for tea, coffee, or maté. Field Service Staff Council Mrs Rafiah Salim, Assistant Secretary-General like the MFR is all about. Union (FSSC) meeting of the Office of the Human Resource Manage- In only 30 days, we in the APC Platoon have The Tactica 4 held in Nicosia early in ment (OHRM), assisted by other management already taken part in activities such as: on standby June, the President of the representatives from OHRM at the UN HQ end, . Crowd control training (thanks to Lt Roelen Field Service Staff Union whilst FSSC staff representatives, UNFICYP and SSgt Dorst) New York (FSSU) requested that a local and international staff were at this end. A . Fire picket training (thanks to Paul the fire- About and Around man) video conference be briefing was given to the FSSC and UNFICYP staff . Patrols to the three sectors (thank you Sectors arranged with New York. on the ongoing reform process in the organisation, 1, 2, and 4 - now we think we know our way So on 7 June, the UNFI- followed by a question and answer session. around) CYP telephone ex-change Overall, the conference lasted approximately . Recces of Dhekelia, Akrotiri and Episkopi was configured for ISDN two hours and brought up many queries which . Exercises with the APC Tactica in the buffer service and cable connections to the had lain dormant for a while. UNFICYP staff zone (along the patrol tracks in the UNPA and HQ UNFICYP briefing room were speedily hope that this new line of communication will arranged by ESS staff to link Nicosia with remain open and that such issues now be BABEWATCH New York. resolved. FC General Rana visits Sector 4 ne of the more attractive Inspired by instructors Ann and Otasks of the MFR during the Sam, they worked very hard By Capt Andreas Scherer summer tour is lifeguard duty at but admitted they enjoyed the the UNPA swimming pool, course. eneral Victory Rana, UNFICYP’s Force which opened on 21 April. The Dolphin swimming GCommander, recently paid an official visit to Earlier in the month, a pool is now carefully watched Sector 4 to inspect the soldiers of the Austrian- Hungarian-Slovenian Battalion (UNAHSB). MFR News multi-national team of 13 Aus- over by 13 qualified lifeguards After a “Social Sunday” with the Commanding trian, Dutch and Hungarian sol- who look forward to seeing as Officer of Sector 4, Lt Col Kienberger, he and his diers went on a week-long life- many members of UNFICYP delegation from the Headquarters were given guarding course in the British (and their families) there as detailed briefings and taken on a tour of Sector 4’s Base of Ayios Nicolaos. possible. area of responsibility. Two days were spent at Camp Duke Leopold V in Famagusta and at the two Company Command Posts in Dherinia and Athienou. He also visited all Platoon Command Music for all the family Posts, Observation Posts and Patrol Bases. All members of the inspection team were informed his year’s BRITCON charity concert took about the tasks of the peacekeepers in the south- place on 13 June at the UNPA swimming pool. east portion of the buffer zone, especially where TIt started off with activities organised for the potential problems could arise. The FC visits Camp Berger younger family members, including pony rides, a Sector 4 were very pleased to have had the from OP 91, we felt assured that he now knows look over the MFR Tacticas and the UNFICYP fire chance to host the Force Commander on his visit. exactly what the duties of Sector 4 are and that he engine, as well as try dives in the pool. When the helicopter with General Rana took off can count on us any time. At 6:00 pm, the Lowland Band of the Scottish Division (KOSB) began to play music and entertain- The Handymen uckily for a widowed mother-of- donated by a local company and sub- Ltwo living in , members of sidised by the charity. ment for the children, including excerpts from Walt the Mobile Force Reserve responded Just before the really hot weather set Disney movies and others. It continued later with a to a plea from Alkionides Charity and in, the roof was re-insulated, all bed- second session, this time for more grown up tastes. gave up some of their precious spare rooms were repainted, taps were repaired The evening finished off with a disco, which was time to refurbish her house. Some of and, with the help of the Finnish engi- heard over most of the UNPA. the paint and other materials were neers, a worktop was replaced. 4 July 2000 - The Blue Beret The Blue Beret - July 2000 5 Ready, Steady, Go Royal Artillery: Background Notes efore leaving London for Nicosia, 16 Understanding the rules of engagement is critical 16th Regiment Royal Artillery In addition to the Regiment’s Regiment RA spent a month training for the on any United Nations operational tour. With this in has been based in Woolwich, normal Batteries, the Sector 2 Bsix month United Nations Roulement mind, scenarios were created to teach and reinforce southeast London since 1995 when Forces include 11 Armoured Air Regiment tour. A difficult part of the pre- understanding of these rules. it moved back from Dortmund, Defence Battery of the Netherlands deployment tasking was to arrange the A knowledge of Cyprus history and the Germany. Army, which is responsible for orbat. Approximately two-thirds of the role of the United Nations enables soldiers The Regiment is equipped with Sector Two West. Part of 41 Mech- Regiment have deployed, with one bat- to understand their specific role whilst Rapier Field Standard C (FSC), the anised Brigade, they are equipped tery remaining at our base in deployed. It also enables them to deal world’s most advanced short-range with Stinger, a shoulder launched Woolwich, southeast London, to carry with incidents in the appropriate man- air defence system. It was re- air defence system, and Cheetah, an on vital Rapier Field Standard C ner. So history lessons and tests were formed in 1947 as part of the post- armoured, self-propelled air defence war organisation of the Royal system. They have 100 personnel training. held. Artillery, and was equipped first Those who came to Cyprus started Negotiation is a key element of UN serving in Cyprus. with the 3.7" heavy anti-aircraft The Regiment also combines in-barracks training on 24 March. The life in Cyprus - at all levels. To practise gun and then with the Bofors 40/70 Dutch Contingent carried out their this skill, soldiers were placed in sce- many individuals from associated gun. In 1967, the Regiment began Corps into a large family of 550 own in-barracks training, but travelled narios where they had to negotiate in converting to the Rapier system over to the United Kingdom for the order to find a solution. Incidents such as with the Royal Electrical and and in 1997 brought Rapier FSC Mechanical Engineers Workshop Commander’s cadre, the United Nations stone throwing, verbal abuse, over-manning into service. Training Advisory Team (UNTAT) week, of observation posts, construction of instal- th being the largest contingent. The 16 Regiment Royal Artillery Royal Signals, the Royal Army and finally for the Commanding Officer’s 16 Regiment lations, and cocking and pointing of was last in Cyprus in autumn 1956, Years War with France. Chaplain’s Department, the Royal final exercise. Royal Artillery weapons were used as examples. when it was deployed to defend the 14 (Cole’s Kop) Battery pro- Logistic Corps, the Royal Army For the British, training was at battery Other subjects included first aid, external airfields being used for the Suez vide a platoon of 29 soldiers for

Medical Corps, the Adjutant News 2 Sector and regimental level and covered a vast array of relations, mine awareness, recognition of opposing operation. Guns remained deployed the Mobile Force Reserve (MFR). until 9 December 1956 and an anti- General’s Corps and the Army topics. All personnel deploying to Cyprus were forces’ weapons, and personal fitness. The Battery was awarded the hon- Physical Training Corps also play required to pass their annual personal weapons test After completing the training, and taking a week’s aircraft stand-down was ordered on 22 December 1956. The Regiment our title ‘Cole’s Kop’ during the an important role in the function- (APWT) so the training included daily sessions on leave, the Regiment set off with its Dutch colleagues Boer War, when they deployed a ing of the Regiment. weapon handling. for the Nicosia region of the UN buffer zone. remained here and trained for an internal security role before return- 15-pound gun on the summit of Also attached to the Regi- ing to the United Kingdom on 10 Cole’s Kop mountain and am- ment is a Royal Engineer detach- adopted by Ortona troop. October 1957. bushed the enemy at first light. ment from 20 Field Squadron, IT’S A DOG’S LIFE Daf got his name because The Regiment also saw active 11 (Sphinx) HQ Battery is which is part of 36 Engineer even as a puppy, he was big and based in Wolseley Barracks and Regiment. The detach-ment is 13 By Cpl Bev Bevan service in the Borneo Campaign in dopey. We quickly learned that the mid ‘60s. It has also been provides personnel for adminis- strong and consists of electricians, e arrived in Nicosia in the Daf has three main dislikes. based in the United Kingdom and trative, medical, transport, and painters, plumbers, carpenters, Wearly hours of the morning First of all, although he’s a Germany. quartermaster duties. In 1755, the plant operators and mine-aware- of 1 June and made our way to vast, tough-looking kind of guy, Since 1992, the Batteries of the Battery was formed as No. 2 Com- ness advisers. Maple House, the run-down he doesn’t really like the dark. Regiment have been 11 (Sphinx) pany Bombay Artillery, Bombay, And left in Woolwich: 30 shopping mall that was to be our We found this out when we were Battery, 32 (Minden) Battery, 30 India. Their honour title was Battery (Rogers's Company). home for the next six months. tasked to pick him up in the Battery (Rogers’s Company) and awarded in 1801 to commemorate From early service in the West The first sound we heard was vehicle from our OP - we dis- 14 (Cole’s Kop) Battery. service in an expedition against the Indies the Battery, renamed some loud aggressive barking covered him hiding under the 32 (Minden) Battery is respon- French. The Sphinx was given as Rogers’s Company after its then coming from the Ops Room. A table near the only light. sible for Sector Two East. Formed in a mark of personal distinction to Battery Commander, won its major huge dog bolted towards us. Second, he is abominably 1756, the honour title “Minden” all those who took part in the expe- honour title in repulsing the Daf has been living at Maple sexist and racist. commemorates the famous victory of dition and the Sphinx emblem was Imperial Guard at Waterloo on 18 Sector 2 News House since 1998 when he was Third, he’s a good friend to us, you might be well advised to 1 August 1759 during the Seven worn in the cockade of the hat. June 1815. adopted and named by 19 Regt everyone in the troop, but he ask the question most regular RA, who had found him along isn’t too good with strangers of guests have learned: “Is Daf with his brother Rocky who was any kind. So, if you plan to visit locked up?” Medical Test New CO Sector 2 - Lt Col Paul Lane By Capt Fran Recchia orn in 1957 into a family of Commando Brigade. He then took apt Jeremy Carter started work as the Sector 2 Bgunner officers, Lt Col Paul up a weapons staff appointment Cdoctor on 7 June. On 11 June he saved his first Lane studied psychology at and returned to the technical staff Cypriot life: a pilgrim who was returning from an Bristol University and was com- college as a member of the direct- UNFICYP-facilitated visit to Apostolos Andreas. missioned in 1980. ing staff with specific responsi- 65-year-old Mr Iosif Elia collapsed in the His first posting was to Osna- bility for Surface-to-Air Guided buffer zone just outside the Ledra Palace Hotel. bruck, Germany. In 1984, he Weapons. He was holding onto his chest and had stopped moved to 29 Commando Regi- Lt Col Lane assumed com- breathing. Within seconds, Jeremy Carter and his ment, and later in the 1980s did mand of the London-based 16 team were at his side. the Army’s technical staff course. Regiment, Royal Artillery in “He was unresponsive and breathing had He subsequently took command March 1998 and has taken the stopped. There were no obvious signs of cardiac of 79 (Kirkee) Commando Regiment on operations to North- Battery during an operational tour ern Ireland, the USA and the Outer output,” explained the doctor. The medical team Capt Carter later visited Mr Elia in the Nicosia with 42 Commando RM in Hebrides (north of Scotland). administered one cycle of cardio pulmonary General Hospital where he found his patient doing Northern Ireland, before taking He and his wife Sarah have resuscitation and constant oxygen and the patient well. “I would like to thank the doctor and his the Battery on exercises around three children. He says he enjoys began to breathe again unaided. team very much for literally saving my life”, said the UK, and to Canada, Cyprus, orienteering, mountaineering, and The UN ambulance then rushed him to hospi- Mr Elia. “They were really at the right place at the Portugal and Norway with 3 riding. tal, where he made a full recovery. right time.” 6 July 2000 - The Blue Beret The Blue Beret - July 2000 7 FIGHTINGFIGHTING THETHE FIREFIRE ATAT LEFKALEFKA Pilgrimage By Maj Chris Wilkes he week starting 12 June was an unusu- ally hot one for the time of year, and fires Tswept across the island. Greece, Israel, and the UK came to Cyprus’ aid - and the UN did what it could too. to Kokkina On 13 June at 1340 hours, UN 18 (C Coy, t’s a long way from Famagusta to Kokkina, but on Sector 1), situated above the Lefka Road, spot- 18 May, 312 Turkish Cypriot students made the By 1/Lt Maximiliano Vega ted a fire burning just north of the buffer zone Itrip to commemorate the 13 students who died in in the fields next to the Lefka/Nicosia road. Kokkina in 1964. They travelled in a convoy of 15 Sector 1’s JOC immediately alerted fire buses, accompanied by an ambulance. When they brigades north and south of the buffer zone reached the buffer zone, they were escorted by and contacted liaison officers from both oppos- UNCIVPOL and the Sector Civil Affairs Teams of ing forces. Sector 1, who made arrangements for them to pass But there was a slight breeze from the through the buffer zone and into the south. northeast and the fire quickly took hold and For us, the Argentinians helping to ensure that spread south into the buffer zone, where mine- the visit went smoothly, it was great to see the con- fields made it difficult to fight the fire. There voy drive through the villages of and was a constant danger that the heat from the Agios Theodhoros and watch the Greek Cypriot The convoy on the way to residents and the young wave at the cemetery which over- News 1 Sector fire might explode the mines, so fire teams had looks the Bay to be escorted into the buffer zone from both each other in such a friendly manner. sides by UN patrols. When the convoy arrived at the cemetery where Personnel from Sector 1 did their best to get the Kokkina students are buried, there was a cere- The visitors observed a minute of silence and said the blaze under control, as did , mony led by the “Erenkoy” Company Commander. prayers in memory of the dead. Turkish Cypriots, and the Turkish Forces. But the fire quickly spread up the sides of the valley and out of the buffer zone. HQ UNFICYP was By 2000 hours, the fire had been brought COMBINED FORCES CELEBRATE notified of the threat to UN 18 and a UN Flight under control and the Wessex were released, Hughes 500 was deployed to the area to observe while Greek Cypriot fire fighters continued to By Major Roberto Agustn Dambrosi and 1/Lt Maximiliano Vega the progress of the fire. A second UN helicopter damp down the last flames. At least one ntil May 1810, Argentina was under the orated the 190th anniversary of Army Day in San was put on standby to evacuate the OP, should National Guard position was destroyed in the direct rule of the Spanish monarch. Martin Camp. Fire! it become necessary. blaze and flames advanced to within five UHowever when Napoleon Bonaparte Argentina is a cosmopolitan society: one of its It was tough terrain to work in. OP 18 is in a metres of UN 18 which is manned by six mem- crowned his brother, Jose Bonaparte, King of most famous admirals, Guillermo Brown, was an mountainous part of the buffer zone, and access bers of the Argentinian contingent. Irishman. ARGON’s Brown Camp com- is limited, so the fire fighters concentrated on The fire destroyed forestry and scrub over memorates this man who played an impor- creating firebreaks to halt the flames. South of an area of three by four kilometres. Sadly, one tant role in the Argentinian war of inde- the buffer zone, National Guard and Greek Greek Cypriot firefighter was taken to hospital pendence, and provided the location for this Cypriot fire fighters tried to block the fire’s with severe burns. Fortunately, no UN person- year’s Navy Day celebrations on 17 May. advance. Early on in the afternoon, they asked nel were injured or UN property damaged dur- Brown Camp (aka the Box Factory) is the British Bases to send up two RAF 84 Sqn ing the incident. home to the members of the Argentine Wessex helicopters with Rain Maker buckets. But the story could have been very different. Navy Marine Corps who serve in Charlie Ops Branch HQ UNFICYP gained clearance This was a potentially disastrous fire and it Coy: 109 Marines celebrated Navy Day in from the Turkish Forces so the helicopters could serves as a timely warning of the dangers that Cyprus this year. cross the buffer zone into the north to fill their the long dry Cyprus summer brings - as do the buckets from the sea in . UN other 50 or so that broke out across the island Flight provided refuelling facilities for the RAF that week. Fires are a common event and are Wessex at the UNPA. usually caused by carelessness or negligence. Navy Day in Brown Camp FIREFIRE FACTSFACTS ANDAND FIGURESFIGURES Army Day in San Martín Camp NFICYP Fire Department re- approximately US$10,000. Nine Ucords show that in 1999, there people were injured. Spain, the inhabitants of Buenos Aires were 67 fires in the buffer zone. During 1999, the UN HQ Fire refused to recognise the new king’s authori- Out of these, 58 were grass fires, Department has trained 367 per- ty. Civilians, military, and members of the while nine fell into the electrical/ sonnel, military, police and civilian, church all resolved to replace the viceroy. The first national government came into domestic category. There were and serviced a total of 1,640 differ- existence on 25 May 1810. Four days later, another six false alarms. ent types of fire extinguisher. the government established a national army The damage cost UNFICYP to defend and consolidate the security and freedom of the new state. ARGCON has named its camps after military heroes such REMEMBER: FIRE WILL TRAVEL AT THE SPEED OF WIND! as Gen San Martín and Gen Roca, and on 29 May, the Argentinian Task Force commem- 8 July 2000 - The Blue Beret The Blue Beret - July 2000 9 DEFENSIVE DRIVING WE LOVE OUR HUGHES 500 By 1/Lt Adrian Ferrari UNFICYP's Hughes MD 500 n the first four months of this year, 101 traffic to be paying enough attention to what they’re doing. McDonald Douglas is a one-engine, ROADADVICE SAFETYaccidents were reported to the FMPU. Some of Remember, as a driver you are in charge of what multipurpose helicopter. Designed to Ithese involved vehicles being completely writ- can be a deadly weapon - a momentary lapse of carry around 750kg, it’s very versatile ten off and a few resulted in injuries. Every acci- concentration could be all it takes for you to cause and can be used for a number of purpos- dent caused by a UN driver involves UNFICYP an accident and maybe kill a pedestrian. es such as observation, search and res- money being spent on repairs and consequently less For further advice, call the Master Driver on cue operations, to carry internal/ exter- money available for other things. Ext 4451 or the MP Station Nicosia on Ext 4666. nal cargoes, for medevac and case-vac, All of us can do something about this problem. to transport personnel and for tactical The key is defensive driving. This means antici- flights. pating problems and holding back from potenti- The Hughes team at UN Flight consists ally dangerous situations. of: WOIII Dario Garbarini, SSgt Hugo The three main causes of accidents in UNFI- Montero, SSgt Carlos Palacios, Sgt Pedro CYP result from simple, but expensive and poten- Jaimes, Inspector “Black Shark” WOIII tially dangerous, carelessness: Luis Bustos and test pilot 1/Lt Adrian . Reversing in car parks Ferrari. . Running into the back of another vehicle in Dario Garbarini has been working traffic with this machine for 18 years. He spent . Hitting another vehicle when turning right last summer fire fighting in the south of at a junction Argentina and is clearly quite a fan of This all points to the fact that drivers don’t seem What happens if you speed on the patrol track.... the helicopter.

“The Hughes can cope with difficult News UNPA operations at high altitudes and in high SSgt Montero, SSgt Palacios, WOII Garbarini, temperatures. It is very good for rescuing Sgt Jaimes and WOIII Bustos NEW POLICE CAR FOR MPs people in mountain ranges. And it can be used in “simple and great helicopter”. He adds that the Flight a lot of different configurations. Here, for exam- is “a team” and that the Hughes is the team’s baby. he Force Military Police outside the military police head- ple, it is good to be able to transport people with- Inspections are a regular feature of the UN Trecently received a new quarters in the UNPA. out doors as this improves visibility and makes Flight workplan. Luis Bustos supervises every town patrol car from Chief The car will principally be flying more comfortable when it is hot. Shaking is main inspection item by item with the other tech- Support Services. The car is used to patrol the narrow and minimal, which is good when people need to take nicians, examining frame, blades, articulation, destined for the Dherinia congested streets of Aiya Napa photos.” engine and commands, to make sure that the air- Detachment, and is seen here and Protaras during the summer Hugo Montero describes the Hughes 500 as a craft follows the requirements of the Federal being formally handed over to months and should be much Aviation Authority. Dherinia Detachment Com- more effective and easier to use Santiago Martin explains that because it is easy mander WO11 Peter Ham by than a large and cumbersome to maintain, it is a very popular machine in both the FPM, Major Richard Moore, twin-cab truck. military and civilian fields. After everything is ready, test pilot Adrian Ferrari takes the helicopter up to check for problems such as

FMPU News abnormal vibrations. This happens when the main DRINKING AND DRIVING rotor blades are not properly balanced, and means that the team has to go back to synchronise all the blades. A DEADLY COMBINATION It is important to minimise all kinds of vibration to prolong the life of every component of the helicopter. He tests the engine too, checking a host of elements rinking alcohol and then driving a car is a def- alcohol had impaired your judgement. Dinite no-no. and putting it through different take-offs and landings Remember that a few drinks at a day-time Don't drink and drive. A pendulum flight testing the and high-degree turns. BBQ are just as likely to reduce your competence commands with Finally, with the baby working 100%, the team to drive as at a party in the evening. Also remem- 1/Lt Ferrari in the driving seat can take a rest and watch its beloved helicopter ber that being behind the wheel of a UN vehicle flying through the Cyprus sky in search of peace. doesn’t magically shake off the effects of alcohol. Is that my career I see flashing before my eyes? Quite apart from the risk to other road users, drinking and driving could cost you your job. A FLAVOUR OF NEPAL Anyone caught driving whilst under the influence of alcohol will be immediately repatriated by n 14 June, the sounds and Commander’s wife, Padma your contingent commander. Subsequent police Osmells of the Himalayan Rana. reports to your respective national military author- region of Nepal filled the cor- More than 45 UNFICYP ities could result in dismissal from your service ridors of the International wives and their guests turned and a ban from driving. Plan ahead. If you're going out and want to Officers’ Club on the UNPA. up. Highlights included tradi- drink, take a duty driver or a taxi. If a group of you The occasion was the fort- tional Nepali folk dancing by go out, one of you must be the designated driver. nightly meeting of the Inter- Pooja and Mandir Rana, a Remember: one drink/drive accident is enough. national Wives’ Club, who selection of Nepalese cuisine One single stupid act could easily result in you were being treated to a presen- and the modelling of a tradi- having to live the rest of your life in the know- tation on the culture and histo- tional Nepali bridal sari by Padma Rana ledge that you killed or injured someone because ry of Nepal by the Force Nayla Moore. The Blue Beret - July 2000 10 July 2000 - The Blue Beret 11 COP SUN- FLOWER By Capt Andreas Scherer hat do you do when something happens Win a mixed populated village? The deserted village of Petrophani, located close to Athienou, was the scenario for the exercise which took place on 6 June, designed to train UNFICYP troops for such an occasion. A forward com- mand post was erected by Sector 4’s Ops Branch for the purpose of setting up a COP Something like the real thing Coy and reserve elements, were set up on all access roads in an escalating scenario. All made up by soldiers from 1st and several additional road those involved, including OP my and Me and 2nd Coy and reinforced by blocks were constructed and highly motivated “demonstra- UNCIVPOL and the MFR. manned. Proper medical treat- tors”, gave of their best. Their common task was to ment and evacuation of injured Following the exercise, a prevent the outbreak of riots soldiers and “demonstrators” debriefing took place where inside and unauthorised entry were also part of the exercise the umpires, command post into the village. They also had objectives, and training took personnel and military leaders ello.ello. II amam CorporalCorporal firstfirst to prepare for reinforcement place with support of the heli- discussed lessons learned. The classclass LauraLaura PotmaPotma by Force Reserve Elements, copters from UN Flight. most important lesson: that Hfromfrom HeeghHeegh inin achieveachieve who arrived with three Tacti- During the day, a number of this sort of training is both nec- Friesland, an area in the north thatthat aim,aim, II cas. Therefore, checkpoints incidents had to be dealt with essary and motivating. of the Netherlands, famousfamous forfor amam studyingstudying itsits waterwater sportssports facilities.facilities. ecologyecology andand Water is something I’m going thethe environment,environment, toto missmiss duringduring mymy tourtour withwith andand soonsoon II havehave toto Sector 4: A drugs free zone dodo anan examexam onon faunafauna Bengal Troop, just west from By Capt Andreas Scherer thethe UnitedUnited NationsNations ProtectedProtected management.management. ItIt requiresrequires Area. As far as I can seesee (and(and somesome selfself disciplinediscipline toto four-legged visitor was on study regularly while serving the island at the end of that’sthat’s quitequite aa distance)distance) there’sthere’s study regularly while serving none around. Admittedly,Admittedly, onon thethe line,line, butbut II thinkthink II cancan Sector 4 News May. Bambou, a dog A therethere isis aa riverriver onlyonly aa fewfew hun-hun- copecope withwith it.it. trained in drug-sniffing, arrived dred metres from mymy InIn thethe meantime,meantime, II practisepractise anyany to check a random selection of Observation Post. But it’s a mymy towertower briefbrief inin EnglishEnglish andand inci-inci- offices and accommodation in dry riverbed, that only gets studystudy thethe terrain.terrain. dents,dents, Sector 4. The positive result: no water in it for a few weeks a FromFrom mymy tower,tower, Observa-Observa- apartapart from drugs were found year. It shows up now because tiontion PostPost 45,45, II cancan seesee thethe over-man-over-man- “Comrade Bambou” be- it’sit’s fullfull ofof greengreen plantsplants andand KyreniaKyrenia mountainmountain rangerange inin thethe ningning when I longs to the Austrian Armed trees.trees. Otherwise,Otherwise, thethe areaarea north,north, aa sandstonesandstone hillhill withwith aa dodo a patrol. Forces Dog Squad, which is lookslooks golden.golden. TheThe farmersfarmers TurkishTurkish ObservationObservation PostPost inin CouldCould this equipped with at about 100 will soon harvest thethe wheat.wheat. thethe east,east, andand lotslots ofof plotsplots ofof havehave some- After that, I’m told, it will allall arablearable land,land, farmedfarmed byby thethe thingthing toto dodo with Rottweilers and shepherd dogs. locallocal population.population. MyMy collea-collea- They are mainly used for safe- be brown. thethe factfact thatthat I’m ThisThis isis beingbeing writtenwritten onon mymy guesgues andand II havehave toto checkcheck regu-regu- female?female? guarding purposes at important firstfirst dayday andand II cancan alreadyalready telltell larlylarly toto seesee they’rethey’re carry-ingcarry-ing It’sIt’s wayway over 30º military installations like ware- you the landscapelandscape isis moremore theirtheir farmingfarming permits.permits. II amam already,already, and summer houses. But with the other spe- beautiful than I expected.expected. II toldtold thatthat BengalBengal areaarea isis knownknown hasn’thasn’t got started yet. cialists for the detection of “Comrade Bambou” drug sniffing in Sector 4’s accommodation, likelike toto bebe outsideoutside andand amam veryvery forfor itsits manymany fires,fires, whenwhen thethe II trytry toto drink some drugs and explosives Bambou is together with his prominent dog handler, Lt Col Lacchini, the Chief of interestedinterested inin naturalnatural history.history. InIn farmersfarmers clearclear theirtheir landland afterafter sevenseven litreslitres of water a a V.I.D. there - a very important the Austrian Armed Forces Dog Squad thethe future,future, afterafter II havehave visitedvisited thethe harvest.harvest. WeWe havehave toto helphelp dayday to avoid getting dog. role of a high-ranking dog handler to have a Australia and New Zealand, I fightfight thethe firesfires whenwhen thingsthings getget dehydrated.dehydrated. Maybe that The visit was part of a pilot project for close look with Bambou. Drugs are a serious hope to work with the World outout ofof hand.hand. countscounts as a kind of water measures against drug abuse. Therefore, the threat in modern times, but they fortunately Wide Fund forfor Nature.Nature. ToTo SoSo far,far, therethere haven’thaven’t beenbeen sport?sport? Chief of the Austrian Armed Forces Dog proved to be no problem among the peace- Squad, Lt Col Lacchini, came himself in the keepers of Sector 4. 12 July 2000 - The Blue Beret The Blue Beret - July 2000 13 IS YERBA MATE Exercise THE DRINK OF Buffer Zone By Lt Richard Hoy t was quite an undertaking for a small team of 1 Staffords to cross the entire buffer zone by THE GODS? Icycling and running in under 24 hours - but we did it. The day began at 0440 hrs. We were lying on the floor of a room in UN 09, the OP at the far western eneath the rainforest canopy in South Maté is a tea-like beverage consumed mainly point in the buffer zone. There were five of us: Capt America, the Guarani Indians have been in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Bayliss and Pte Sweete, who had volunteered to join As the light began to fade, the track in front of us Bdrinking the steeped juice of the leaves of Brazil. The scientific name (Ilex paraguarensis) me in this exercise, along with Cpl Nicholls, our looked quite surreal and we tried to stay in the head- the wild yerba tree-bush for centuries. Here in was given to it by the French naturalist and logistics man, and Cpl Watson , who provided driv- lights of the support vehicle. Shadows caused by the Cyprus, take a trip out to Sector 1, or up to the botanist, Auguste de Saint Hilaire in 1822. ing support and also medical backup. car lights being hidden by the bumps and dips in the Flight, and you’ll see South American colleagues Today, over 30,000 tons of Yerba Mate is pro- Freewheeling down the first patrol track was a road meant we never knew what we were going to be sipping Yerba Maté. duced yearly for consumption in Brazil, piece of cake, but even the support vehicle struggled riding into. But the climb up past Pyla afforded us Why are they so keen on it? Because it’s good Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is common to get up the first ascent. Freewheeling down the sec- wonderful views of the coast shim-mering in the for you. to see men and women walking around in shop- ond hill was not so easy when you are desperately remaining light. As we hit the SBA link road, we had The leaves offer numerous health benefits: ping malls and on beaches carrying their Maté holding onto handlebars and tentatively squeezing the a short discussion as to whether we had to include it, increased immune system strength, improved dig- gourds and thermos flasks of hot water. They brakes so as not to lose control. With sweat stinging as it was not part of the BZ. We decided to go ahead, estion, stress reduction and stimulation of mental drink it everywhere - on walks, at sporting events, your eyes, trying to choose the best path is not easy. since this way, we could say we crossed the entire And getting your breath back is out of the question as island in a day. processes. They’re used in popular medicine and picnics, student parties. fear grips you as you take another wide sweeping cor- employed in commercial herbal preparations as a Yerba Maté gets its name from the traditional As we neared the end of the exercise, it seemed ner, hoping that you have judged it correctly, other- hard to accept that even though we were approach- sports stimulant to the central nervous system, a diuretic, cup (the Maté) used to drink it. This vessel, origi- wise you could find yourself tumbling down the sheer ing the coast, we were still going uphill - or maybe it and an anti-rheumatic. nally a dried and decorated gourd, can be made drop that forms one side of the track. But we passed just felt that way after so many miles in the saddle. Yerba Maté (literally, the “Maté Herb”) has out of almost anything these days. In South through Sector 1 without incident, completing the 55 We finally reached the gates of UN 146 17 hours, 43 won many admirers in wide-ranging parts of the America, where Maté was introduced to the miles in around seven hours. minutes after we started. A bottle of bubbly was pro- world, but especially in South America. Enthu- world, the drink is still sipped At 1:00 pm, we still faced 22 hours on foot and duced to celebrate the occasion. siasts say that it’s a natural stimulant, devoid of from the Maté cup using a metal 60 more miles cycling. Our legs felt like lead, but we A number of people gave us a lot of support for side effects and toxicity, an invigorator of the or wooden decorative straw and made it to Bengal where we freshened up and this event. We would like to thank personnel at all mind and body, a natural source of nutrition and a filter called a bombilla. changed. It took four hours to shuffle through Sector the OPs we stopped at for their hospitality and en- health promoter par excellence. But the modern Maté drinker 2 on foot, so when we started again with bikes at the couragement, Col Wakelin, DA of the British High can drink it in any number of beginning of Sector’s AOR, we seemed to fly along, Commission, and everyone from HQ UNFICYP ways. It can be brewed like nor- especially since the wind was in our favour. who liaised to insure everyone who needed to be was mal loose-leaf tea and filtered A combination of two crashes, fatigue and pres- made aware of the exercise; also Col Potter for giv- before pouring into a cup. It can sure on the calves finally took their toll on Sweete's ing us permission to pass through the SBA on bikes, be made into an iced tea to drink legs. Although he took a rest and tried to rejoin us in as well as Micromania and T-Shirt Designs next to Sector 1 News on a hot summer day. It can be Sector 4, the back of his heels were covered in blood LPH for sponsoring us for the event. Many thanks made like coffee, in a standard from deep blisters, so he elected to travel the rest of to them all for making this mission impossible pos- automatic coffee maker (make the journey in the support vehicle. sible. sure you use a large amount of the herb). And, if you have a Maté cup and a bombilla (or an EPISKOPI INVITATIONAL RUGBY SEVEN A SIDE CHAMPIONSHIP The Argentinian friend who can lend By 1/Lt Maximiliano Vega The you one), you can go traditional. bombillas gourds e Argentinians feel pretty ntre los dias 17, 18 y 19 del mes Wpleased with ourselves for Ede mayo se llevó a cabo un tor- making it through to the semi-finals neo de rugby seven, realizado en la of the rugby seven-a-side champion- base soberana británica de ajor Jorge Alberto become a captain and did the ship at the British Sovereign Base EPISKOPI. El personal de la Fuerza NEW 2/IC, MCisternas was born on 12 Staff Officer’s course. His first Area in Episkopi 17-19 May. Oppo- de Tareas Argentina fue invitado a January 1958 in Curuzú peacekeeping experience was nents included teams from England, participar del mismo, en el cual par- Cuatiá, province of Corrien- with UNIKOM in 1991. Wales, Scotland, Ireland and New ticiparon 23 equipos, de diferen-tes SECTOR 1 Zealand. nacionalidades, como ser ingle-ses, tes, Argentina. In 1996 he was promoted to The matches were well support- galeses, escoseses, irlandeses y He joined the Argentinian the rank of Major and now he is ed - entire families turned up to neozelandeses. El campo se pobló de Army in 1977 at the National serving in the Army General watch the event in a variety of multi- camisetas multicolores y el bullicio dentro en un clima de caballerosidad Military College, and graduated Staff. coloured T-shirts, which gave quite a de aquellos que animaban a su y camaradería. Cabe destacar que four years later as a 2/Lt. Early Major Cisternas is married to party atmosphere. equipo, notándose la concurrencia pese al poco tiempo de preparación on in his career, he took diffe- María Carolina del Valle, and We hadn’t had long to train, but it de muchas familias dandole un del equipo argentino, el rendimiento rent courses, training in para- they have five children, Lucas was a great experience to take part, marco de fiesta al evento. del mismo fue óptimo, lográndose trooper and commando skills for (11), Jorge (8), Candelaria (6), and we certainly didn’t disgrace our- Para los argentinos el balance llegar a la instancia semifinal de la example. He then rose to Micaela (4) and Soledad (2). selves. fue muy positivo, cerrando el torneo ronda de perdedores. 14 July 2000 - The Blue Beret The Blue Beret - July 2000 15 UNFICYP’SUNFICYP’S JOINTJOINT OPERATIONSOPERATIONS CENTRE,CENTRE, 2424 HOURSHOURS AA DAY,DAY, THETHE BEATINGBEATING HEARTHEART OFOF THETHE FORCEFORCE