Launch of De-mining – Guide to the CMP Phase 2 THE BLUE BERET The 14 August Helios air crash in , the A Brief Guide to the CMP Published monthly by the: worst in Cypriot aviation history, was also the Public Information Office worst loss of life has experienced since United Nations Peacekeeping Force in 1974. A stunned island was plunged into sorrow Cyprus and mourning. HQ UNFICYP PO Box 21642 We in UNFICYP have all been touched. 1590 Inevitably, we become close to the communities Cyprus we live and work with in the course of our service here. Just as we have marvelled at the Tel: 2261-4550/4416/4408 Fax: 2261-4461 closeness of the island’s family ties, we now feel E-mail: [email protected] the sadness and pain of the shattered families [email protected] around us as the island struggles to cope with Website:www.unficyp.org the aftermath of this tragic event. Our Chief of Mission, SRSG Wlosowicz, has Editorial Team conveyed condolences on behalf of the Brian Kelly Secretary-General, UNFICYP and the United Anne Bursey Nations family here on the island. We have Capt. Stefan Zemanovic observed a minute of silence and flown our Miriam Taylor flags at half-mast to honour and mourn the Aldo Henríquez victims and to show our support for the Sgt. Adrián Artimovic (Photographer) bereaved. Unit Press Officers Roque Retamar, an Argentinian twice an UNFICYP peacekeeper, wrote from Latin Sector 1 Maj. Gustavo Villegas Editorial Sector 2 Lt. Bertie Swan-Ingrey America to the Cyprus Mail expressing his deepest sympathy. “I love Cyprus”, he wrote, Sector 4 MSgt. Sylvia Lojanová “and know you will overcome this tragedy with Capt. Tibor Berecz faith and resignation and with the help of God.” UNCIVPOL Sgt. Jim Flanagan The Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Talat passed UN Flt Lt. Alfonso Naish along his community’s condolences to Mr. MFR Lt. Alex Markwick Papadopoulos. The mayor of north Nicosia FMPU Capt. Jozef Kascák placed banners at the city’s two crossing points The Blue Beret is UNFICYP’s in-house proclaiming the message “We share in your Serving UNFICYP’s civilian, military and police personnel Serving UNFICYP’s I. Historical Background journal. Views expressed are of the grief”. he problem of the missing persons in Cyprus first repatriation of the prisoners detained in took authors concerned, and do not neces- Sorrow and loss remained the theme when sarily conform with official policy. Tarose as a result of the intercommunal troubles of place in October and November 1974, under the some days later we mourned our own fallen 1963-1964. During this unstable period, several auspices of the ICRC. Articles of general interest (plus photos colleagues on the second anniversary of the hundred disappeared and 203 cases In 1976, concluding that it could no longer be of with captions) are invited from all bombings. Again we stood silent in our are still unaccounted for. A good number of Greek assistance on the ground, and, since there was no members of the Force. place of work, thoughts full of the fragility of life Cypriots also went missing, and some 40 cases are still further necessity for a neutral intermediary because of Copyright of all material is vested in UN and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. unaccounted for today. bicommunal ad hoc committees operating under the During the events that took place in July and auspices of the UN, the ICRC pulled its delegation out publications, but may be reproduced Indeed, we too share in your grief. with the Editor’s permission. August 1974, both and Turkish of Cyprus. Cypriots went missing. At that time, both UNFICYP and From 1975-1977, a number of intercommunal the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) meetings on the problem of the missing persons were were operating in Cyprus and were also dealing with held but there was no significant progress. Between Contents the problem of the missing. During this tragic period, 1977 and 1981, negotiations took place in Nicosia, Editorial/Contents ...... 2 the ICRC was visiting all the detention centres in and New York for the establishment of a A Brief Guide to the Committee of Missing Persons . . .3/4/5 Cyprus and Turkey. A general programme for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP). The Kilcullen Contingent ...... 6/7 II. Legal Basis of the CMP and its Mechanism Launch of Second Phase of ...... Buffer Zone etween 1975 and 1979 the UN General Assembly Terms of Reference of the CMP call upon the De-Mining Project ...... 8/9 Badopted three different resolutions on the missing Committee to look into the cases of persons reported New HIV/AIDS Focal Point/ persons in Cyprus, calling for the establishment of an missing in the inter-communal fighting as well as the investigatory body to tackle this humanitarian events of July 1974 and afterwards. The mandate of One Voice, One Staff, One UN ...... 10 problem. Subsequently, the GA adopted two additional the CMP is purely humanitarian. The Committee will Introducing Peacekeeping Conduct and resolutions in 1981 and 1982, respectively, welcoming not attempt to attribute responsibility for the deaths of Discipline Units/If In Doubt, Stay Out! ...... 11 the establishment of the CMP and urging the CMP to any missing persons or make findings as to the cause proceed without delay in carrying out its mandate. of such deaths (Article 11, CMP Terms of Reference). New Contingents arrive as UNCIVPOL The CMP was established in April 1981 by agree- The CMP is expected to use its best efforts to draw becomes UNPOL/Irish Rotation ...... 12 ment between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot up comprehensive lists of missing persons of both South American Medal Parade marks Tour’s End . . . . .13 communities. It is the only institutionalised bi- communities, specifying as appropriate whether they Outside Activities/Argentinian Air Force Day ...... 14 communal committee in Cyprus. are dead or alive, and, in the former case, approxi- The CMP is composed of a Member appointed by mate time of death. CANCON Hands Over/Bi-cultural Theme Night ...... 15 each of the two communities and a Third Member, The 31 July 1997 Agreement, which has been selected by the ICRC and appointed by the Secretary- agreed upon by the two leaders in the same Front Cover: Launch of De-mining, Phase 2 General. CMP decisions are taken by consensus to the humanitarian spirit, but outside the CMP sphere, extent possible. In case of disagreement, the Third provides for the exchange of information regarding Back Cover: Guide to the CMP Member consults the other two members in an known burial sites and return of the remains of Greek attempt to bridge their views and reach a consensus. Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot missing persons. 2 August 2005 - The Blue Beret August 2005 - The Blue Beret 3 A Brief Guide to the CMP CMP Membership III. Reactivation of the CMP n 30 August 2004, after more than four years of intense bilateral negotiations carried out by the Third Elias P. Georgiades was educated in Officer at the Ministry of Labour. Oinactivity, the CMP met formally in the Ledra Member a.i. with his two Cypriot colleagues, in close Cyprus, Greece, the UK and the USA. Following the 1974 troubles, he was Palace. The Members agreed to consider how to ex- consultations with the UN and the ICRC. These He holds a BA in Political Science and a Assistant Director of the Special Ser- pand the Committee’s scope of activity and responsi- proposals merge the Terms of Reference of the CMP Certificate in International Law. He vice for the Rehabilitation of Refugees. bility, in accordance with the proposals formulated and the July 1997 Agreement, a delicate integration earned his MA and PhD in Interna- He was also a guest lecturer at the by the Secretary-General in his two letters to the which has enabled the two communities to address tional Studies at the American Uni- Mediterranean Institute of Management two leaders of December 2003 and August 2004, this issue with more efficiency and credibility. versity, Washington DC, which he of the Cyprus Productivity Centre. calling for the resumption of the work of the CMP, The new mandate of the CMP now covers com- attended on a Fulbright scholarship and In 1978, he was assigned special namely: pletion of the investigations, as envisaged in the 1981 where he also worked as a research duties at the House of Representa- a. To conclude the remaining investigative work on Terms of Reference and procedural rules, as well as assistant. He spent a year at the Uni- tives, becoming Director of the Office of both sides on the basis of an agreed, comprehen- exhumations and identification, as provided by the versity of Denver as a graduate fellow. the President of the House of Represen- sive timetable. July 1997 Agreement. Early in his career, Dr. Georgiades tatives in 1981. From May 1985 to May b. To agree on the modalities for implementation of The implementation of this new mandate is time- worked with the Cyprus office of a U.S. 1986, he served as the Government the 31 July 1997 Agreement in accordance with consuming and requires a complete reorganisation of multi-national company, and with the Spokesman. Cyprus Civil Service. He also served as Dr. Georgiades has held the post of Article 12 of the Terms of Reference of the CMP of CMP activities. Since September 2004, the Committee Greek Cypriot member – April 1981. has had weekly meetings to address this important Elias P. Georgiades a Special Intern at the United Nations, the Greek Cypriot Representative on These two proposals are the result of long and challenge, and progress is being made. New York. the Committee on Missing Persons in Dr. Georgiades served as Senior Cyprus since May 1986. IV. INFORCE Involvement Rüstem Zihni Tatar, who won top events of 1963-64 interrupted his n 25 October 2004, the CMP announced that and specialised workers, along with the participation of honours in the London University Matri- career. He continued to serve the OINFORCE, a non-profit forensic science organisa- a Greek Cypriot expert. This first phase had an culation examination, also gained a Turkish Cypriot community as Minister tion, had been selected to undertake the exhumation emergency basis intended to safeguard remains and scholarship to study in the U.K. He of Finance of the Turkish Cypriot side project in Cyprus. The UK-based foundation was burial sites at risk due to heavy constructions and land graduated from Nottingham University (TFSC) from 1967 to 1976. selected by the CMP after careful review of forensic use projects taking place, and was completed in early with a first-class BA Economics in 1951 From 1978-1980, he headed a institutions recommended by the ICRC in response to August 2005. and a first in Chartered Accountancy, Turkish Cypriot delegation invited by a formal request by the CMP. On Dr. Cox’s recommendation, the CMP also agreed ACA, in 1954, before pursuing post- EEC authorities for meetings on the Once INFORCE was selected and a work agreement to set up a forensic anthropological laboratory to be graduate studies for an M.Phil, financial protocol to be prepared in was reached, the forensic foundation started with a located in the buffer zone. For this purpose, an Budgeting and Financial Planning, at accordance with the Cyprus-EEC Asso- geophysical survey of burial sites in preparation for INFORCE forensic anthropologist visited Cyprus in July Southampton University. ciation Agreement of 1972. He also exhumations and identification of Greek Cypriot and 2005 and prepared a comprehensive report which will Rüstem Tatar began his career with served as adviser to the Turkish Cypriot Turkish Cypriot missing persons in Cyprus. enable the CMP to establish this laboratory in the near the Cyprus Treasury in 1955, becoming Negotiator in the Intercommunal Talks, In May 2005, Dr. Margaret Cox, CEO of INFORCE, future. Acting Director of the Cyprus Audit 1977-1984. participated in a survey of selected burial sites all over In the meantime, remains found were to be taken Department in 1959. He was appointed Rüstem Tatar was appointed the the island to assess initial requirements for emergency into temporary custody under INFORCE supervision for Turkish Cypriot Member – Rüstem Zihni Tatar Auditor-General of the Republic of Turkish Cypriot Member of the Com- exhumations. From 27 June 2005, the CMP carried out transfer to the anthropological laboratory as soon as it Cyprus in August 1960, a post he held mittee on Missing Persons in Cyprus on emergency exhumations under the supervision of an is set up in the buffer zone. A team of INFORCE until 21 December 1963, when the 1 February 1984. INFORCE forensic archaeologist guiding a Turkish Cyp- experts will be in charge of this laboratory, placed riot team comprising archaeologists, an anthropologist under the aegis of the CMP. Born in , Switzerland, Pierre assignments have included stints as V. Identification Guberan has served with the CMP since ICRC head of delegation, first in Jordan dentification can be achieved by comparing “ante July 1985, initially as First Assistant to 1973-74 (during the October War); Imortem data” (AMD) collected during contacts with the Third Member and, from 2000, as then during the regime transition in families concerned with “post mortem data” (PMD) the Third Member a.i. Vietnam in 1975-76; and, as supervisor gathered during skeletal analysis in the anthro- Before taking a University of of a visits programme for 25,000 pological laboratory. This comparison will be combined Lausanne economics degree and political detainees in Indonesia, 1977- with DNA analysis of samples taken from the exhumed embarking on a career with the Inter- 78, a period during which he also remains and from the families. national Committee of the Red Cross headed the first ICRC survey in East On 30 June 2005, the CMP agreed on the principles (ICRC) in 1971, Guberan was a pro- Timor. for the project in connection with the DNA identi- fessional artist. He specialised in Guberan also served as delegation fication of remains of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish ceramics, having graduated from the head in , 1979-81, and as ICRC Swiss Ceramics School in Lausanne. chief delegate in Indonesia and East Cypriots to be exhumed on the island. This CMP Third Member a.i. – project involves the Molecular Genetics Department B Pierre Guberan From 1971 to 1985, his ICRC Timor from 1982-84. and the Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), as well as an upgraded Turkish Cypriot laboratory. To set up this mechanism, the two Cypriot The INFORCE Foundation Members of the Committee each appointed a Scientific ounded in 2001, the INFORCE Foundation is an process. Between September 2004 and July 2005, Adviser. Dr. Marios Cariolou and Dr. Erol Baysal are internationally recognised forensic centre of with funding from the UK Government, INFORCE has now helping the CMP in the implementation of the Fexcellence. Based at Bournemouth University, UK, trained over 70 Iraqi scientists and other professionals DNA identification project. it was established by current CEO Professor Margaret in forensic and humanitarian skills, some of whom The Advisers will also recommend two Turkish Cox. INFORCE is a registered charity, apolitical and has were trained to train their own people in Iraq. Cypriot scientists to be designated by the CMP to par- no religious affiliation. Similarly, INFORCE is developing programmes to help ticipate fully on this project under their supervision. INFORCE has at its disposal a wealth of scientific a fledgling Colombian forensic group and other multi-disciplinary expertise and experience gained professionals to establish in-country expertise. The from post-conflict regions across the world over the last Colombian project is funded in part by the German Left: Members of the CMP meet with Professor Margaret Cox (right of UN flag), INFORCE founder. 10 years. Cyprus apart, INFORCE has deployed teams Government and the EU. Also present (from left): Xenophon Kallis, Elia Georgiades, to Iraq, Rwanda and the Congo in the past three years. Such capacity building is an option that could be Jan Selby, Pierre Guberan, Rüstem Tatar, Ahmet Erdengiz and INFORCE also offers training to scientists from post- implemented in Cyprus in parallel with the main pro- Popi Chrysostomou conflict countries as part of a capacity building gramme of exhumation and identification. 4 August 2005 - The Blue Beret August 2005 - The Blue Beret 5 The Kilcullen Contingent ack in June 2003, Sgt. Walter Kilcullen had a The three younger children had different arrange- When Walter first arrived in difficult decision to make. He very much wanted ments made for them. Through his work in Pyla, Pyla in August 2004, the only Bto apply for a posting abroad, since he had never Walter met and became friendly with the headmaster other UNPOL members apart served overseas in his 33 years of service with the of the Greek Cypriot primary school in the village, Mr. from the Irish were from Irish police force “Garda Siochana”. Translated George Demosthenous. He invited Walter and Mary to Australia. Two months ago, literally, this means “guardians of the peace”, and visit his school, and told them that if they considered with the augmentation of the Walter felt that having spent most of his working life the idea workable, he could offer Gary and Dara (9- civilian police unit, a Dutch- in the inner city of as a detective sergeant year-old twins) a place there. Emma (11) was also man, Hans Kempes, joined the dealing with murders and serious crime, it was time offered a place. Even though the school was Greek- Pyla team. According to for a change. Overseas postings are much sought speaking, the boys had each other for company and Walter, “this adds to the after by the Irish police – hundreds of applications for soon managed to communicate with the other children flavour”! few places (18 in Cyprus, three in Bosnia). Walter in their class. Walter enjoys meeting up wanted to try. Emma, however, was a different matter altogether. with other members of UNPOL However, he had other factors to take into Being a child with special needs, she required more and civil affairs personnel at consideration – the prime one being his family. His intensive attention. This was out of the question in the the Friday morning meetings wife Mary and six children definitely had a say in this, village of Pyla. Walter made enquiries everywhere, at HQ UNFICYP. “Now we since Walter had decided that it was all – or none! So, including the British Bases, but the schooling there have police officers not only they had a family consultation and Mary, who at first was for British children only. from Australia, Ireland and the had reservations about the suggestion, said: “Go for However, he had also contacted the authorities in Netherlands, but also from it. If you get the posting, we shall take it from there”. the south. Much to his delight, they managed to find Argentina, Bosnia, Croatia, Walter went ahead and applied. When the news Emma a place in Prodromos Primary School located in India and Italy. It’s a growing came through that he was accepted, he, Mary and the centre of . Here she received full-time family and we all get on well. From the left, standing: Gary, Sara, Karl, Mark, Emma and Dara. daughters Sara and Emma flew to Cyprus to check out special needs education and she thrived. The class UNPOL police officers may Sitting: Mary and Walter the location where they would spend the next year – had only three other children, all Greek-speaking, but wear a different uniform and speak a different lan- in or near the village of Pyla, where Walter was to take somehow they – teachers and children – managed. guage, but back in our home country, there is a great up the post of PYCALO (Pyla Civil Affairs Liaison similarity. The same types of situations, the same Officer). There were many rudimentary issues to problems – and the same jokes!” clarify – most importantly, where they were going to Now that the Kilcullens are nearing the end of their live and which schools the children would attend. year on the island, they are feeling nostalgic at the Walter’s posting was an unaccompanied tour, so all thought of leaving. As Walter says, “Coming here was expenses were to come straight out of his pocket. a fabulous opportunity to spend time with the family. They immediately decided to buy a house, rather The children are fast growing up and it will soon be than rent one. One evening, Walter took Emma, who time for the first of the fledglings to ‘leave the nest’, so suffers from cerebral palsy, out for a stroll. They came the timing was just right. across a small estate of villas being built. Emma “At home in Ireland, we never had this quality of walked into the shell of one of them and said: “Nice life. We have really been able to spread our wings house, Dad”. They bought it! here. The whole family has been on trips to Egypt, So it was that in August 2004, all eight Kilcullens Israel and the Lebanon – cruises that were not only arrived on island. Their building contractor had very enjoyable, but also educational. The children will arranged for the family to be housed in temporary never forget them.” accommodation until their four-bedroomed villa (with Walter considers Pyla in particular a “very special swimming pool!) was completed. The family finally place”. He says: “I was openly accepted and welcomed moved in on New Year’s Eve 2004. here immediately by both communities, both as a Twins Karl and Mark (16) and Sara (12) were police officer and as a family man”. However Walter Walter with the children of the Greek Cypriot primary school in Pyla, just before the summer holiday break enrolled into the English-speaking Mediterranean High Emma (third left) at the Prodromos School for differently- had taken the trouble to read up on the history of School in Larnaca. They were a little dubious about abled children, together with her classmates and teachers Cyprus before his arrival. He thinks it is vital to be their new school to begin with – naturally enough, aware of the background, and found himself cons- they all missed their friends back in Ireland. The boys Body language and gestures played a great part in tantly comparing the situation here to the problems have since accepted their school, but Sara has grown overcoming most of the language problems. back in Ireland. Coming from a country with a history to have a great time there. With the family settled, Walter felt much more at of conflict, it is easy to understand why. ease to tackle his job. Based at the UNPOL station in Back in Ireland, Walter has already completed a the centre of Pyla, PYCALO’s prime function is higher diploma in adult and community education, and maintaining harmonious contact between the two soon hopes to further his studies in this general area. mukhtars and their communities who live and work His experience in Cyprus has given him great ground- side-by-side in the only mixed village in the buffer work – so much more important, he says, than simply zone. reading from books. He will definitely be able to use The recent bicommunal football match held in Pyla the experience he has gained working with UNFICYP’s on Sunday 17 July, the first in over 30 years, is multi-national force, and living side-by-side with evidence of their success. However Walter is highly people from totally different backgrounds, beliefs and conscious about the work of his predecessors. “UNPOL political views. As he says, “Back in Ireland, it is rare has a very good name in Pyla, and it is thanks to their to find people who have true pride in their heritage. hard work and the reputation they have gained over Nobody could ever say this here – coming from Pyla is the years. This bodes well for me and all those a status symbol! I have grown used to the village now and its friendly and easy-going, laid back way of life. Walter with the children of the Turkish Cypriot primary school presently working here, and it is up to us to uphold the in Pyla, just before the summer holiday break good name. I am in daily contact with the people of This took some effort at first – now it’s part of my Pyla, and there is no doubt that the power of nature!” Walter has nothing but the highest praise for the persuasion works well.” Fortunately for UNFICYP, the So as the Kilcullens fly out of Cyprus on 26 August, Cyprus Ministry of Education, so much so that he Irish have plenty of that! The eloquence bestowed on it will not be goodbye to what is now their second has written to express his sincere gratitude for all From the left: Anthony Hapeshif, George Demosthenous, those who have kissed the Blarney Stone can work home. It will simply be au revoir. the help they provided with Emma’s education Headmaster of the Pyla primary school and Walter wonders. MT during her year on the island. 6 August 2005 - The Blue Beret August 2005 - The Blue Beret 7 Launch of Second Phase of Buffer Zone De-mining Project hase two of the European Union- Cyprus, spelled out the EU’s long-standing funded, United Nations Development tradition of financing de-mining operations PProgramme (UNDP) Partnership for the around the world, noted how mine clearing Future (PFF) Landmine and Ordnance Clear- in Cyprus would contribute to normaliza- ance Programme in Cyprus was launched tion of the situation on the island and early in the morning of 12 August. Two thanked UNFICYP for its help and co- landmines were detonated in a Turkish operation. She described the four million Forces minefield in the buffer zone adjacent Euro initiative as “an active contribution to to the United Nations Protected Area peace building, increased safety and (UNPA) and UNFICYP headquarters. reconciliation here on the island”. The controlled explosions were triggered Both the United States Embassy in after countdowns by Special Representative Cyprus and the British High Commission of the Secretary-General Zbigniew Wloso- issued statements welcoming the fact that wicz, UNFICYP’s Chief of Mission, and by Dr. the new phase had been launched and Kezban Akansoy from the office of the that, in the words of the U.S. statement, European Commission Representation in “the two sides are actively cooperating Cyprus. with the UN on the process of de-mining.” Mr. Wlosowicz welcomed the expansion Said a spokesman for the British High of de-mining activities into the minefields of Commission: “We welcome both sides’ the Turkish Forces as well as the commit- commitment to a process that can only ment of the Turkish Cypriot authorities and help to build confidence between the two Turkish military authorities to the removal communites.” of landmines from the buffer zone once and The Mine Action Centre was set up in for all. October 2004 and mine clearance activities “As of today, it is especially gratifying to officially began on 19 November 2004. To note that we are now in a position to plan date, the programme has cleared 1,294 and programme for a mine-free buffer zone anti-tank mines and 892 anti-personnel with the full co-operation of all concerned, mines, making for a total of 2,186 mines an outcome that can only be of benefit to cleared. In the process, 13 minefields and the island as a whole”, he said. some 575,686 square metres have been The SRSG paid tribute to the ongoing declared clear by the de-mining team. collaboration between UNFICYP peace- As part of the phase two programme, keeping, UN Mine Action expertise, and the the Mine Action Centre announced the start EU. He thanked the EU for its generous of de-mining operations to the west and support for the buffer zone de-mining east of Nicosia’s /Kermia project. area beginning 22 August. He recalled how, at the initial launch of A 100-metre safety cordon will be in the de-mining programme last November, place around the minefield during normal he had commented that every mine working hours (7.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.), destroyed “brings us a step forward on the necessitating possible road closures for path to crossing points, to normalcy and to mine clearance operations. To ensure safer, peace and reconciliation”. Now, he hoped it faster operations, detour directions are would not be long “before more crossing being posted in affected neighbourhoods, points are opened”. while the public is being advised to comply Dr. Kezban Akansoy, on behalf of the with safety instructions from local European Commission Representation in authorities.

8 August 2005 - The Blue Beret August 2005 - The Blue Beret 9 New HIV/ Introducing Peacekeeping 3 August 2005 AIDS Focal Conduct and Discipline Units n the latest move in reforms to tackle sexual The United Nations has completed investigations Point Joins exploitation and abuse, the United Nations Under- against some 186 peacekeeping personnel in its field ISecretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations has missions since January 2004. Seven civilian Campaign instructed eight of the United Nations’ peacekeeping personnel have been dismissed, two police officers operations to establish Conduct and Discipline Units repatriated and 78 military personnel – including six his July marked the fifth immediately. commanders – repatriated on disciplinary grounds. anniversary of the passing of UN Each office will be staffed by senior-level experts on Several troop-contributing countries have con- TResolution 1308 in response to personnel conduct issues and replacing mission focal firmed disciplinary and criminal prosecution against the AIDS epidemic. The resolution points on sexual exploitation and abuse, who were repatriated United Nations peacekeeping personnel. underscored the fact that if left installed following reports of sexual exploitation and The Conduct and Discipline Units are among the unchecked, AIDS could pose a risk to abuse in peacekeeping operations over the past year recommended actions proposed by Prince Zeid Ra’ad stability and security worldwide. and a half. The Conduct and Discipline Units place Zeid Al-Hussein, the Secretary-General’s Adviser on Thus the issue was put on the map dedicated, senior and skilled personnel in several Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by United Nations for the Department of Peacekeeping peacekeeping mission headquarters. They will be Peacekeeping Personnel. Operations (DPKO). guided by a Conduct and Discipline Unit now being In May, the Security Council condemned acts of To commemorate the event, staffed in the Department of Peacekeeping Operation’s sexual exploitation by United Nations peacekeeping DPKO invited ten HIV/AIDS Advisers New York Headquarters. troops and expressed support for Prince Zeid’s and Focal Points to attend a week- The Conduct and Discipline Units will address issues strategies for combating the problem. long workshop, the second ever, such as preventing misconduct, handling complaints In June, the General Assembly approved a wide- hosted this year at New York HQ. and data management and ensuring compliance with ranging package of these recommendations. In Anne Bursey, UNFICYP’s Public United Nations standards of conduct. United Nations addition to the Conduct and Discipline Units, other Information Officer and newly nominated Focal Point to reduce the risk of peacekeepers contracting the rules forbid staff from contact with prostitutes, forbid measures being put into effect include a policy on for HIV/AIDS, was there to learn what plans the Joint virus while in mission: first, the creation of specific sexual relations with anyone under 18, and “strongly victims assistance, intensified mandatory training of United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) capacity within missions to address AIDS; second, discourage” relations with beneficiaries. (In UN peacekeepers, measures to strengthen leadership and DPKO have launched to help fight the spread of ensuring the availability of condoms and observing peacekeeping, that means all members of the host accountability, improvements in living conditions and the HIV virus and to lend support to this important universal medical precautions; third, the develop- population.) Individual peacekeeping missions also welfare for peacekeeping personnel and amendments effort. DPKO and UNAIDS joined forces to ensure that ment of voluntary counselling and testing capabilities have their own codes of conduct with more stringent to legal agreements with troop-contributing countries the UN sets the highest possible standards in in mission; fourth, establishing monitoring and requirements, including such measures as curfews, and contracts with all peacekeeping personnel to protecting both peacekeepers and the populations we evaluation mechanisms; fifth, setting up projects for lists of off-limits establishments, a rule that troops include prohibitions on sexual exploitation and are in contact with from contracting HIV. outreach to local communities and mainstreaming wear military uniforms off-duty, and telephone hot- abuse. Before settling into a series of lectures and brain- the issue of AIDS into mission mandates". lines to report abuse. In approving a $3.2 billion peacekeeping budget for storming sessions, workshop host Roxaneh Bazergan DPKO has over 66,000 uniformed personnel and The new Conduct and Discipline Units will not 2005-2006, the General Assembly emphasized the kicked off the week by whisking everyone into an more than 13,000 international and national civilians conduct investigations. These will be handled by the need to develop a comprehensive, well-defined and impressive Security Council meeting addressing HIV/ serving 17 missions worldwide. This is a significant United Nations’ Office for Internal Oversight Services coherent policy to prevent and address sexual AIDS and international peacekeeping operations. number of people who, at any given time, need to be and other offices. exploitation and abuse in all United Nations activities. In his speech to the Security Council, the Under- advised and trained on how to prevent the spread of The new units are part of the ongoing reforms It also stated that the implementation of zero Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. the virus. This is why AIDS was also high on the sparked by reports of sexual exploitation and abuse in tolerance towards acts of sexual exploitation and Guéhenno, underlined the positive impact of work agenda for the conference of force commanders held peacekeeping operations, which the United Nations abuse should be clearly defined as a core management undertaken by the DPKO-UNAIDS partnership over in NY this past July. Indeed, it has become a key part has been pursuing vigorously with investigations, function. the last five years. For example, in Haiti, a number of of senior management training for those serving in all disciplinary measures, training and policy changes The General Assembly is due to take up the issue quick-impact projects developed by the UN’s public peacekeeping operations. since early 2004. again during its 60th session, this autumn. information office working with a local non- Meantime, Anne, as part-time Focal Point to governmental organisation fought stigma and UNFICYP, will support DPKO by maintaining an on- discrimination and promoted awareness among local going awareness campaign for HIV/AIDS in mission, If In Doubt, Stay Out! journalists. as well as providing current communication tools to t remains a priority objective for UNFICYP to Mr Guéhenno also pointed out some key sector medical officers who deliver the required AIDS implement the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance challenges that remain in the fight against AIDS, training for new contingents. Ipolicy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). including the “need to ensure AIDS awareness is In Mr. Guéhenno’s words, “knowledge in itself Sally Anne Corcoran, UNFICYP’s Gender and SEA focal considered a command responsibility, moving beyond does not protect people from HIV; it is what people point, conducted the mission’s first gender and SEA- rhetoric to engagement at the highest levels”. He do with that knowledge and how they change their related training with the incoming UNPOL SCAT teams spoke of a five-point strategy that was implemented behaviour that makes the difference”. now preparing to take over civil affairs functions from sectoral military components. One Voice, One Staff, One UN At the end of last month, the Chief of Mission noted in a circular to all personnel that United Nations SEA embers of UNFICYP's UNFSU (United Nations Field Locally recruited staff members are represented by procedures consider establishments such as bars, MStaff Union) committee were recently sporting new United Nations Staff Union (NY Staff Council) and in nightclubs, brothels, or hotels featuring sexual exploit- UNFSU T-shirts. Perfect for the motivated staff member, Cyprus by UNFICYP’s own ULESO (Union of Locally ation and abuse in the form of prostitution to be “Off- the T-shirts proudly announce “One Voice, One Staff, Employed Staff Organisation). Limits Locations”, and warned that the presence at One UN”. The comfortable cotton shirts are being sold in The T-shirts come in white, blue and sand, medium such a location constitutes support for sexual exploit- a team-spirited effort to raise funds for the staff union. and large, on sale for £7.50 at the PIO. Call Aldo ation and shall be dealt with accordingly. The UNFSU represents all international Field Staff Henriquez on Ext. 4409. UN rules also prohibit the following activities by its recruited specifically for service in peacekeeping and personnel: other field operations. President of the UNFICYP unit, · Sex with prostitutes Ross Wickware, proudly states, “We’re committed to · Sex with anyone under 18 years of age work hand in hand with UNFICYP administration, focus- · Exchanging money, goods, or employment for sex ing on the issues that can positively affect the UN’s UNFICYP personnel are advised they must adhere greatest asset – the staff”. The committee works on fully with UN regulations. This means avoiding Sally Anne Corcoran briefing UNFICYP personnel in the HQ conference room issues such as classification of duty station, education premises that are clearly involved in or suspected of grant, reform of the field service category, and the new sexual exploitation activities. Remember: If in doubt, stay out! staff selection system. 10 August 2005 - The Blue Beret August 2005 - The Blue Beret 11 New Contingents arrive as South American UNCIVPOL becomes UNPOL Medal Parade uch news on the Civpol, sorry, mission’s UNPOL configuration has contingents with the late June arrival make that the UNPOL front. It been in expansive mode these last of the first Argentinian police, marks Tour’s End Mhas now been officially few months. Not only has UNIFCYP followed by the Italians in mid-July NFICYP's Sector 1, Argentinian Contin- ordained by New York that the acquired more police, but we have a and the Bosnians in late July. This gent headquarters, known as Camp San UNCIVPOL designation is no more whole new range of unfamiliar uni- brings UNPOL’s strength to 59, ten UMartín, lies nestled amongst a forest of and that from now on, our civilian forms out there on patrol to prove it! short of the 69-strong ceiling set by cypress trees and green valleys, past the police are to be known as United The five-contingent-strong UNPOL the Security Council. Still, keep a village of Katydhata, and adjacent to the Nations Police (acronym, UNPOL). So, (remember, the Croats joined the sharp watch-out for new uniform western sector of the buffer zone. It was here, it’s goodbye Civpol and hello UNPOL. Australians, Dutch, Indians and Irish insignia because there’s bound to be on 11 August where UNFICYP guests, officials Many will have noted that the in mid-April), now boasts eight more to follow! from Chile, Germany, Switzerland, the French Defence Attaché, families and friends were The first Argentinian UNPOL Contingent The first Bosnian UNPOL The first Italian UNPOL Contingent invited to celebrate the 12th Argentinian medal joined UNFICYP Contingent joined joined UNFICYP parade for 155 troops coming to the end of on 29 June 2005 UNFICYP on 24 July 2005 on 12 July 2005 their tour in Cyprus. Maj. Gen. Figoli saluting the troops Force Commander Maj. Gen. Hebert Figoli compli- mented members of Sector 1 on their immaculate turn out and bearing on the medal parade. He commended them on their professionalism while serving with UNFICYP and bid a fond farewell to those soon returning home to be reunited with families and loved ones. One minute of silence was observed in memory of the fallen Argentinian soldiers who died in the name of peace throughout UN missions. Commanding Officer Sector 1, Lt. Col. Frederico Sidders, gave a very moving speech in both English and Spanish, noting: “We worked responsibly, with efficiency and commitment toward accomplishing the assigned mission”. As the soldiers marched off proudly bearing their new UNFICYP medals, guests were led to an elegantly Fernando Lopez Elias Auadre Nenad Djuric Salvatore Cassara Salvatore Masia Lt. Col. Sidders presenting the UN medal to one of his laid out array of food and drinks on the moonlit terrace Domingo Zerpa Sergio Oitana Slobodan Kovacevic Massimo Diagora Antonello De Chiara soldiers overlooking pool and stage. Capt. Sergio Oitana (Contingent Com- Insp. Slobodan Kova- Ch. Insp. Salvatore Masia (Contingent The Argentinian Contingent (ARGCON) has served The highlight of the evening once the sun had set mander) deals with immigration, narcotics cevic (Contingent Com- Commander) deals mainly with crime and UNFICYP in Sector 1 since September 1993 and came with performances of Argentina’s “Chacareras” and federal crimes. He is the newly mander) holds a law traffic investigations and public order. He comprises troops from the Argentinian Task Force 25, and “Gatos” dances by Camp San Martín personnel. appointed SCAT coordinator at UNPOL HQ, degree and specializes is currently Station Commander in the MFR and UN Flight. With the arrival of new Sgt. Vílchez showed off several lively, fast and precise UNPA. in people trafficking, Dherinia. recruits, these South American troops fly out on 7 toe-tapping manoeuvres in a dance style called Lt. Elias Auadre is involved with public narcotics and organi- Ch. Insp. Antonello De Chiara is October 2005, returning to bases in Bolivia, Brazil, “Malambo”. Complete with the very finest of “Classic security and terrorism. He is now attached sed crime. He is cur- involved with the emergency services and Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Argentina. Tango” demonstrations, the show was capped with a to the SCAT team in Mammari, Sector 1. rently attached to the INTERPOL. He is attached to the SCAT The evening's pageantry began with a drill for- finale of folkloric song by the Deputy Commander, Lt. Sgt. Rosario Domingo Zerpa is a com- SCAT team in Sector 2. team in Sector 2. mation and medal presentation to peacekeepers who Col. Jorge Giudice, radiating yet more of Argentina’s munications officer. He is attached to the Snr. Police Officer Insp. Massimo Diagora is a crime had served in Cyprus over the last six to 24 months. rich musical tradition. new UNPOL station in Leonarisso as a Nenad Djuric is a fire- scene investigator. He now holds the patrol officer. arms and field training post of Staff Officer Ops at HQ UNPOL, 1/Cpl. Fernando German Lopez special- officer. He is now UNPA. izes in the prevention of drug addiction. attached to the UNPOL Insp. Salvatore Cassara deals with cri- He is now attached to the Dherinia station training office in the minal investigations in southern Italy. He as a patrol officer. UNPA. is presently a patrol officer in Dhenia. Irish Rotation s we welcome the 10 new members of UNPOL, AUNFICYP said its goodbyes this month to 11 mem- bers of the 12th Irish Civilian Police Contingent. The mug-out took place on 5 August in the UNPOL club. The festivities started at 7.00 p.m. Mugs were presented by the Irish Contingent Commander, Supt. Liam Mayock, who had no trouble in relating a few kind words about each of the recipients! The departing Irish, in a true patriotic gesture, then gave a rendition of the Irish national anthem, led by renowned tenor Walter Kilcullen. A splendid barbecue had been arranged for the evening. Thanks go to Aisling McCommon and Rita Butler for a fantastic spread. The event was very well attended by many members from all contingents From the left (standing): Sgt. John Nolan, Sgt. Walter presently in the UNPOL component, so much so that Kilcullen, Insp. Willie Redmond, Garda Finn Phillips, Garda Una Shanley, Sgt. Gabriel Plower Standing at attention: this resplendent uniform dates back to the the club shut its doors at 5.00 a.m. Kneeling: Garda Eugene O’Leary, Garda Mary Moran, Garda Sgt. Danial Vilchez, ARGCON member, performs the historical Grenadiers' Regiment led by Gen. Jose de San Martin in Out go the Irish in style! Aideen Ryan, Garda Tom Miller and Garda Kevin Duggan “malambo” during the evening’s entertainment the emancipation campaign of 1812 against the Spanish. 12 August 2005 - The Blue Beret August 2005 - The Blue Beret 13 Outside Activities ... CANCON Hands Over, 30 Metres Below Capt. Dan Zegerac was a bit cheeky when he and for Alain who served with Dyslexic Conference in fellow Canadian Ross Wickware decided to inaugurate CANCON in several gnarly the arrival of Capt. Alain Chabot – under water! missions prior to volunteer- Association, Mr. Costas Apostolides. Drawing on With Dan’s departure end of summer, and a ing for Cyprus. His most Costas’ experience, Ersin set up the NCDA. At first, common passion with the new SO3 for under-water recent deployment was to their only contact was by e-mail. However when the diving, of course it only seemed natural that they , Afghanistan, (2004), crossing points were opened on 23 April 2003, should conduct CANCON’s command handover one preceded by tours to facilitating passage between north and south on the kilometre off-shore. At the popular diving spot off Banjaluka, Bosnia, (2001/ island, members of the two associations then had the Ersin and Costas during Larnaka, location of the wreckage of the ferryboat 2), and, before that, with luxury of meeting up in person. the Cyprus Symposium “Zenobia”, Canadian and UN flags plus handshakes UNPROFOR in Visoko, Thus, a three-day International Multilingualism and were exchanged 30 metres below the surface. Bosnia, (1995). Dyslexia Conference – the first Cyprus Symposium – Capt. Chabot, a native of Quebec City and a grad- UNFICYP is Alain’s second nterpreter/translator/information assistant Ersin took place in Limassol, starting on 14 July. Twenty uate in biology (this explains his love for marine life), UN mission. Considering Öztoycan, one of UNFICYP’s PIO staff members, is Turkish Cypriots representing the NCDA crossed to the arrived mid-summer with his wife Sonia, and two Canada’s long military and Capt. Alain Chabot Ithe founder member of the south and gathered at the Hawaii Hotel to meet 20 children Alec (8) and Marika (5). This is a nice change political relationship with Cyprus (1964-1993), it is no Dyslexia Association (NCDA). Greek Cypriots from the CDA. The featured keynote small wonder that Alain knew so much Ersin and her family returned to north Cyprus from speaker was Dr. Ilhan Raman of the School of Social about the history and situation on the the UK in 1996. Two of Ersin’s three children suffer Sciences, Middlesex University, UK. His insightful island. In fact, when he walked the from dyslexia, and she soon found there was no remarks sparked a lively discussion on how to help the green line tour across Nicosia with dyslexia awareness in the north of the island. She children of both communities through the design of Sector 2, he came upon the very therefore made enquiries with international associa- appropriate educations systems for dyslexics. locations where he was able to see and tions for dyslexics, and discovered that in fact, one A follow-up conference has been arranged for later touch the remnants of stories heard association did exist on the island, but south of the this summer at the premises of NCDA in northern back home from an era lived not so buffer zone, an area which at that time was almost Nicosia. Ersin and Costas will no doubt be getting long ago. impossible for Turkish Cypriots to cross to. their heads together to achieve even more progress Not everyone in the Canadian mili- Nevertheless, Ersin pursued her endeavours to for dyslexics island-wide. As Ersin says, “All children tary is interested in joining a mission establish awareness and struck up a friendship with have the right to an education, irrespective of any with family, he said. While the benefits the Greek Cypriot President of the Cyprus Dyslexia learning difficulty. It is no different in Cyprus.” of non-separation were attractive for Alain and his wife, most captains in the Albanian Elections s a member of the European USAID helped ensure a more secure Canadian Forces have children who are Youth Forum (AEGEE), I was for- and comfortable environment in which in their teenage years for whom being tunate enough to be selected as to vote. A uprooted is not terribly appealing. The an international election observer to We in turn, as international obser- help monitor Albania’s parliamentary vers, were able to experience Albanian young children in Alain’s family made elections in early July. We worked hospitality. During my week monitor- the decision an easy one. From his closely with a local NGO (MIJAFT) to ing the election campaign in the city of perspective, it is a luxury to spend two promote voter turnout in a campaign Schkoder, I talked to local people full years with loved ones without entitled “Walk the Vote”. about their concerns and expectations having to ship out every six months for Amidst rumour and speculation for the up-coming event. six months! about the way the elections would be On 3 July, Albanians proved they Alain, UNFICYP vous souaite la run, we set about our challenging task, could indeed “walk the vote”, as the bienvenue! backed by USAID as part of its com- electorate voted to replace the mitment to free and fair elections incumbent Socialist Party with the worldwide. In helping to fund our Democratic Party. Bi-Cultural Cyprus Theme Night presence and by providing technical Yasa Yesilada, support for the electoral process, UNFICYP Interpreter/Translator/Info. Asst. he bi-cultural Cyprus theme night held on 21 July Officer, Maj. Alan Staples, it reflected the colourful 2005 was the first event of its kind at the cultures of the two communities in Cyprus. The event TInternational Cafeteria. was held in lieu of the evening meal, outside the inter- Organised and sponsored by Eurest Support national cafeteria to take advantage of the beautiful Services (ESS), and supported by the Force Supply summer night. Cypriot specialities were prepared and served by the chefs from both communities and the evening also featured traditional music and dancing by a pro- fessional local group. Dances were performed by men and women in traditional Cypriot costumes, and included the “Syrtos”, “Datsia” and “Sousta”. All the dances reflected the spirit of Cypriot society. However, the most entertaining was undoubtedly the “arapies tis kandilas” (the dance with tumblers) in Argentinian Air Force Day which a dancer balances as many glasses on his head as he can. Almost the whole audience joined in the his month was very important for all personnel of communtiy in times of humanitarian disaster by offer- energetic last dance – “Sousta” – bringing the evening the Argentinian Air Force around the world. On 12 ing aid, medical evacuations, search and rescue to a close. TAugust, we celebrated the creation of the operations, and even fire fighting. The event shows once again Facility Manager Michael’s “Escuela de Aviación Militar”, built in Buenos Aires in On 12 August, UNFICYP hosted a moving ceremony dedication to the military and civilian personnel as he 1912 during the presidency of the late Roque Sánez at the old Nicosia Airport to honour such actions. All 28 continues his efforts to bring these unique aspects of Peña. This date officially marks the birth of the Air Force members of UN Flight attended (see photo above), the Cypriot dining experience to the table. This is an and commemorates its long history of national defence. including our Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Osvaldo event that many soldiers might not have had the Our training institutes worldwide take on the res- José Albanesi. Force Commander Maj. Gen. Hebert opportunity to enjoy outside the UNPA during their ponsibility of maintaining our high standard of perfor- Figoli was also there. In celebrating 93 years of dedi- time in Cyprus. mance. In this, we feel privileged to learn from those cation, we paid our respects to those who died in the ESS hopes that there will be many more such already based in the Antarctic, Haiti and, of course, service of our country, proud to be part of such a events that will not only entertain UN personnel, but here in Cyprus. Being grateful for the support and legacy. Hungarian WO1 Janos Bokor, helping with the traditional also promote positive relations between the two hospitality, we in turn try to help the international 1st Lt. Alfonso Naish Cypriot “dance of the tumblers”! communities. 14 August 2005 - The Blue Beret August 2005 - The Blue Beret 15