housands of As we go to Published monthly by the Public Information Giving Peace A Chance Greek Cypriots Chief of Mission with Sector 2 peacekeeper/ press, some 242,000 Office of the United Nations Peacekeeping and Turkish traffic director at the Ledra crossing Force in Cyprus, HQ UNFICYP, PO Box May 29 has been designated the first Interna- T Greek Cypriots have 21642, Nicosia 1590, Cyprus. Cypriots, many visibly made the journey tional Day of United Nations Peacekeepers by moved, began crossing the UN General Assembly in tribute “to all the north while more Tel: 22-864550/22-864416/22-864408 from one side to the than 158,000 Fax: 22-864461 men and women who have served and continue other of the divided to serve in UN peacekeeping operations, as well Turkish Cypriots E-mail: [email protected] island on 23 April, have travelled south. [email protected] as to honour the memory of those who have lost following the their lives in the cause of peace”. To help ensure Web site: www.unficyp.org announced easing of safe passage through Editorial Team The date marks the day in 1948 when the first restrictions by the the various crossing UN peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Brian Kelly Turkish side the day points in the buffer Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) began before. For many, it Maj. Ingrid Tomeková zone, UNFICYP operations with a group of unarmed military was a journey was at full stretch Miriam Taylor observers in Palestine. back to the Eager to cross from day one Photography As the Secretary-General said in a special broad- homes they left working closely with the SSgt. George Cséfalvay cast message to peacekeepers around the world, in 1974. For relevant Greek Cypriot and Contingent Photographers the mission of UN peacekeeping remains vital. all, it was a Turkish Cypriot authorities. While “peacekeeping by itself cannot end a war tentative step Sector 2, with only 24 Unit Press Officers into the future. ERET ... it can prevent a recurrence of fighting. Above hours’ notice at the outset, Sector 1 Maj. German Lozano Acting B all, it gives time and space for conflict resolu- was in the centre of things Sector 2 Capt. Ali Simmons tion. It gives peace a chance”. SRSG and in devising the best UNFICYP Sector 4 Lt. Ladislav Regenda Today, and as the Day itself was being observed strategy to get the people LUE Chief of UNCIVPOL Garda Alice Tierney around the world, peacekeepers fulfil roles as across as quickly and

B Mission,

Editorial safely as possible. Supt. Marty Plim military observers, trainers and disarmament ex- Zbigniew perts, civilian police, civil administrators, judges Troops from Sector 2 and HE HQ UNFICYP Maj. John Hunt Wlosowicz, and prosecutors, economists, human rights and MFR spent long, T UN Flt Lt. Mauricio Ortiz welcomed the humanitarian workers. Media inspect new crossing point at Ayios hot, dusty hours on MFR Capt. Garrett O’Leary crossings while Others perform the more traditional peacekeep- Dometios/Metehan duty, reassuring the FMPU Capt. Fiona Smith speaking with reporters ing functions of monitoring ceasefires and in the buffer zone waiting crowds, The Blue Beret is the in-house journal of buffer zones in 14 missions on three continents. between the Ledra distributing water, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in UNFICYP, the UN’s third-oldest peacekeeping and even erecting a Cyprus. The views expressed are those of Checkpoints. “This is mission, is among these. a very important day shaded walkway on the authors concerned, and do not neces- the stretch between sarily conform with official policy. In the past 55 years, 1,819 United Nations peace- for Cyprus. For many years, Cypriots were the Ledra check- Articles of general interest are invited from keepers – civilian and military – have died while on mission, 172 of them while serving with not able to move freely points to help the all members of the Force. Photographs, long queues cope together with captions, should accompany UNFICYP. throughout the island. The magazine for UNFICYP’s civilian, military and police personnel civilian, military The magazine for UNFICYP’s We hope that it will be with the unsea- the articles. While most were the victims of accidents or sonably warm illness, 583 were the casualties of hostile followed by more good The copyright of all material in this journal things and that weather. is vested in United Nations Publications. activities. All paid the supreme sacrifice in the Since then, Any article or illustration may be repro- service of peace. it will contri- Preparing the “Ledra Highway” bute to reconci- three new crossing points duced with the written permission of the On this special anniversary, we salute them. Editor. liation”, he said. have been established at Press reports Ayios Dometios/Metehan, indicated that Pergamos and the 2.5 Mile Contents some 2,900 Gate. Back to the Future Back to the Future Turkish Cyp- Like their Sector 2 Editorial/Contents ...... 2 colleagues, UNFICYP’s Back to the Future ...... 3 riots and 1,750 Greek Cypriots engineers were quick off Two Sectors – One Aim ...... 4/5 made the cross- the mark to help ease the Baghdad to Larnaca (and back...)/ ing between traffic congestion as new Playing at the Palace ...... 6 9:00 am and crossing arrangements UNFICYP Wedding/A Special Day in Varisha ...... 7 midnight on the meant that vehicles Cultural Heritage of Cyprus: Part XII first day, as crossing in Nicosia The Mountaintop Refuge of Kantara Castle . . . . .8.9 Cypriots went Watching the crowds would switch to The Hard Rock Cafe/ cautiously back to the Ayios Dometios/ UNCIVPOL Medal Parade ...... 10 future. Metehan while Artists of the World Unite! ...... 11 The initial trickle official vehicles Air Crash Exercise/ quickly became a flow, continued to use Green Line – Virtual Reality ...... 12 spurred on by the co- Ledra, making A Tribute to Štefánik ...... 13 incidence of the Greek use of the newly Three Finns and a Sauna ...... 14/15 Orthodox Easter holi- laid gravel road day weekend with parallel to the some 18,000 people “pedestrianised” Front Cover: Crossing the Divide passing through the old link road in Ledra Palace crossing the buffer zone Back Cover: ANZAC Day point in one day. there. 2 May 2003 - The Blue Beret May 2003 - The Blue Beret 3 NFICYP has welcomed the latest Douglas Campbell profiles Sectors 1 and 4 aj. Milan Kukuk of Slovakia is an air defence members of the Force from South specialist with 23 years army service. He is UAmerica and Central Europe who Mmarried to Emilia and they have two children arrived in March. The Blue Beret has Veronika, 18, and Martin, 17. He is no stranger to the been meeting some of the new faces and United Nations, having been one of eight Slovakian uncovering stories, including the young observers based in Iraq in 2000-2001 with UNGCI marine who discovered he had become a under the Oil for Food programme. He is now senior father while manning his observation logistics officer for Sector 4. Maj. Kukuk, 41, says: I post 17,000 km from home, and the am getting used to the different procedures and blind dog who runs anti-snake patrols in computer systems here but the main parts of my job are Sector 1. the same back home. The work is more demanding than Capt. Pablo Halaburda, 35, from it was when we were in Iraq. I come from the town of Asunci n, Paraguay, a member of his TrenŁ n in the western part of Slovakia, and I find living country s Special Forces, arrived in on an island very different to my homeland. In his Larnaca after a 16-hour military char- spare time he enjoys studying Egyptian history. His tered flight, which he jokingly described other hobbies of motorcycling and hunting will have to as being better than a C130 . A single wait until the end of his tour. man and keen skydiver and target Capt. Andrea I arikovÆ comes from the industrial shooter, he is one of seven Paraguayan town of Presov in eastern Slovakia. She is single and a officers, NCOs and other ranks. Capt. Men on the line personnel officer in Sector 4, having completed 13 Halaburda says: We re just settling down right now by fax, and if there is a threat to the status quo, we report years army service. In the hot summer months in with the new jobs. We are trained for war but now we are it to HQ in Nicosia. Every soldier is able to solve Cyprus she likes swimming and diving on the coast and peacekeepers and it is a totally different kind of mission. problems and they are real professionals. I am very at other times she climbs the Troodos mountains and We look forward to the challenge of working with both proud to serve my country in this international mission. takes part in social and cultural events. I think it s very sides here in Cyprus. It s a very important mission and I intend to continue the interesting being part of an international team, Capt. Chilean Marines Capt. Mauricio Diaz, 37, is from good relationships with Argentina, with the other South I arikovÆ, 30, says. I enjoy the different accents and Viæa del Mar near Santiago, Chile, where he left behind American countries and with Cyprus too. Capt. learning about other cultures. I recently met some his wife Paula Muller and daughters Catalina, eight, and Claudio, a jungle specialist and instructor, is engaged to Argentinians and I liked their folk music very much. Javiera, five. Capt Diaz, who enjoys sports including Viviane Melo and the couple are planning their wedding. Cyprus is a beautiful country with very nice people and soccer, arrived in Cyprus with four officers and 28 other Addressing his fellow South Americans, he laughs: Yes, I would like to do another tour after this one finishes. ranks. It is his first trip outside the Americas apart from you are all invited if she s still waiting for me when I Capt. Andras Palatinus from Szabadszallas, a UN tour in Cambodia in 1991-92. He says: For Chile, get home! Hungary, is married to Gyongyi and they have two sons the most important thing is integration with our new At Patrol Base 25 in Sector 1, high in the Troodos aged eight and four. He is second-in-command of the 1st friends from the other South American countries here foothills, one mongrel dog lies sleeping in a makeshift Hungarian Company based in Athienou. He lists sports, and most importantly, with the Argentinian Task Force. gymnasium. He s blind, and the best snake-hunter in soccer and table tennis as his interests and is very keen We are very keen to experience peacekeeping operations Sector 1. When we go out running, the dog goes out with us, but 25 , who got his name from our patrol to research the history of Cyprus as this is his first trip in different situations, such as in the line or at HQ. abroad. Capt. Palatinus, 34, says: I have only been here April 7 started out like any other day for Cpl. Patricio base, gives us early warning of snakes. He runs over to Perez of the Chilean Marines, when he reported for duty where the snake is and points it out for us so we know to a short time but I think this is a very nice country and with Alpha Company at OP 09. But at 22.00 hours, he keep away. He s really useful to have around. Lt. Hugo the local people are very friendly. I would like to tour a received a very important message he was a new father. Daniel Yamanishi, whose father s family emigrated lot here when I am off duty. My wife and children will More than 17,000 km away in Viæa del Mar, his wife from Japan to Paraguay, adds: This is our little home up be coming for 10 days in August and I would like to Maritza had given birth to a baby boy, Benjamin. Cpl. here. We have the gym where we work out and we rotate take them to some interesting and historic places. Perez, 25, says: Capt. Diaz told me the news when I was every 10 days so it s quite relaxing, but we still have our MCpl. Zsuzsanna Kubic, 24, is single and from on duty and I have just seen for the first time a picture job to do and go out on patrol. It does get quite busy Szolnok, Hungary. She is a radio operator in the 1st of my son. The Navy welfare department arranged an e- sometimes. Company communications centre and took the job after mail photo and when I saw it, it was such an emotional Argentinian Marines Capt. Gabriel Marin, 31, is a completing a one-year army course in English. She is a moment. It s hard to be away from my baby son and wife Company Commander based in a former box factory keen swimmer and jogger, and would like to spend more but at least I will see them in October. His mother closer to the British sector. A single man and native of time learning languages. MCpl. Kubic says: I am in a Jaqueline is delighted to be a grandmother but insists she Rosario, Argentina s second-largest city, he is well team of six radio operators and three are on duty at one is not old enough at 39, jokes Cpl. Perez. Meanwhile, he travelled, having visited many countries while training time. I enjoy talking to people so I like my job. This is my second time here in Cyprus and I really like the is busy at work, keeping fit and playing Lt. Yamanishi with “25” as a naval officer in a tall ship. His area soccer until the family is reunited in five of responsibility includes Mammari island and the people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish months. village, a community of 1,500 Greek Cypriots. Capt. Claudio Alexandre De Al- Cypriots in the buffer zone. Says Capt. SSgt. Roland Dravucz has completed 10 years meida Freitas, 31, is a veteran of 16 Marin, who enjoys social activities and service in the Hungarian Army. The 26-year-old, a native years with the Brazilian Army. The quizzes: We are right next to the Bri- of Szolnok like MCpl. Kubic, is a patrol base radio non- other Brazilian member in UNFICYP, is tish sector, and sometimes we combine commissioned officer. He has served in the Ukraine and Sgt. Felipe Bran a da Costa. Capt. our patrols or start and finish in each Bosnia and in common with his colleague, he wants to Claudio, of Resende in Rio de Janeiro other s areas. It s very good teamwork. improve his written and spoken English. SSgt. Dravucz State, is advancing his English and I got to Cyprus two weeks ago, but I says: It s really great to be here and I would say it is Spanish languages, and finds Spanish was here a few years back when I was even better than Hungary. I was out and I went to a shop easier as it is related to his own second-in-command of an area. Now where I accidentally left my mobile phone. I went back Portuguese. Describing his job, he says: I m the commander of two areas so I m two days later and the shopkeeper returned it to me. The We analyse incidents which come to us growing or just getting older! Cypriot people are very honest. 4 May 2003 - The Blue Beret May 2003 - The Blue Beret 5 Baghdad to Larnaca (and back...) UNFICYP Wedding onia Dumont of the United Nations Office of The north of the country, where the Kurdish majority live. Sgt. Lee Crawford tied the knot on Friday Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq (UNOHCI) was Staff working on the Oil-for-Food programme had an 11 April when he married Sarah Hunt in Sevacuated to Larnaca, Cyprus, along with more than observational mandate in the centre and south, while in SPaphos. Lee, who is on a 2‰ year posting 100 UN colleagues on 18 March, during the transition to the north the nine UN agencies were implementing the with Ops Branch at HQ UNFICYP, arrived war in Iraq. programme. from Abingdon last October. Sarah, who Preparations were being made as the Blue Beret went I arrived here in Larnaca with the first group of comes from Bedford, was working for Lloyds to press to assess security on the ground before staff inspectors to be evacuated. We were just five from the TSB before arriving in Cyprus early in April. could return to Iraq and help the people who are so humanitarian agencies and the rest were inspectors. The For the occasion, Lee wore his blues (No. desperately in need of food, water, medicines and other bulk of our humanitarian workers left on the third flight 1 dress) and Sarah looked lovely in a long essentials under a coordinated distribution system. with the Coordinator, Mr Lopes da Silva. He was the last ivory wedding gown. The couple were wed in Ms. Dumont, 34, an information officer, is a Cana- one to leave. We had 3,400 national staff left behind and St. George s Chapel located in the grounds of dian national from Montreal. Her husband, Michel, is our thoughts were with them as the situation evolved. the St. George s Hotel in Paphos. They chose chief of operations for the UNOPS Mine Action We watched the pictures on the TV like everyone Paphos because their first proper home will be Programme. Since leaving Iraq, they had been renting else and we got more and more concerned as we saw in Cyprus, and it seemed the nicest place to accommodation in Larnaca until it was deemed safe to events in the field and the chaos. The whole population of wed. Lee says: We chose Cyprus because we return. The Adonis and Flamingo hotels in Larnaca are Iraq were a part of us a part of our lives. Talk to anyone come from different parts of the UK and it was being used as a temporary base for UN staff. here and they will tell you the same thing they are eager one way for all our family and friends to get Ms. Dumont gave the Blue Beret this personal to go back. We are starting now to get more contact with together for the wedding and enjoy a little perspective on the situation. I ve been in Iraq for two our national staff, but the information is scattered. In the holiday as well . For the ceremony, about 15 years with the office and I was stationed in Erbil in the north, the situation is less intense. members from both sides of the family flew Security staff have been assessing the overall out from the UK, and the reception at the hotel situation in the north and have agreed to the return of the catered for approximately 40 guests from the first UN inter-agency team, depending on a safe passage. UK and from UNFICYP. The honeymoon was There is an ongoing dialogue but at the same time, things spent in Rome and Paphos. are still happening on the ground. We have 200 people The couple have known each other for two working here in the coordination office in the Adonis and and a half years, and Lee has been away for Flamingo hotels. We had to take out furniture and over half that time on operational tours in organise computers, but the procurement system kicked Kosovo, Afghanistan and Cyprus. Sarah s in. We have four or five people working in one office but father was in the forces too, so she knows what it is a little more organised now. We are coordinating with life will be like married to a soldier. Sarah groups in Jordan, Turkey, Syria and other regional centres. says: It was a wonderful day. We are very We know what we are doing, the preparation has lucky to be starting our married life in taken place and we are ready. We want to be impartial and Cyprus. fair in the distribution of aid. You cannot deliver when there is chaos and lawlessness, looting and hospitals being ransacked. The Geneva Convention is clear on this. A Special Day in Varisha Sonia Dumont [Editor s Note: Since giving this interview, Ms. Dumont has returned to Iraq.] CD s 28 April dawned, the focus of attention was the The Bishop of day s event in the village of Varisha, some 800 Morphou, Neophytos, Ametres southeast of OP 11. Soldiers from ATF 21 with Lt. Col. José had been appointed to mount the escort several days Maria Colombo, earlier and now everything was ready. All that was 2i/c Sector 1 Playing at the Palace (Ledra) required was for the officer in charge to give marching ector 2 recently hosted its bi- orders to the convoy of five vehicles waiting to leave San annual Combined Services Enter- Mart n Camp. Stainments Show at the Ledra After an hour-and-a-half on a hard, zigzagging road, Palace Hotel. Over the two nights, the Agios Giorgios church tower bell loomed 800 metres nearly 400 UN personnel joined in the above the beautiful old mountain village in the buffer fun. The star attraction was Miss Claire Sweeny, the well-known British TV actress who stars in the West End smash hit, Chicago. There was also an extremely funny ventriloquist, not to mention a comedian (he didn t!) and some very energetic dancers who were clearly a hit with the young men. All attending agreed it had been zone. Greek Cypriots have been coming here on pilgri- two nights of fantastic entertainment. mage from Limassol since 1999. Each night saw many of the audience At about 08:00 hours, the first buses started to arrive, dancing on stage and in the aisles. escorted by UN vehicles from the temporary checkpoint There was lots of laughter when, to the 1,000 metres away from the church. It was a poignant amusement of all, a strange man from moment when the pilgrims caught their first glimpse of Sector 2 ran onto the stage dressed in their former homes. stockings, high heels and suspenders. For those of us privileged to be there, it was gratifying We ll just never know the whole and rewarding to be present at that moment in the service story!! of the people, in the service of UNFICYP. 6 May 2003 - The Blue Beret May 2003 - The Blue Beret 7 Although the limestone cliffs antara Castle is located on one of the last peaks at the eastern end Description of the Kyrenia Mountains, at a height of 630 metres. Its name of the Kyrenia mountain range Kantara Castle sits within a forest that takes its name from the Kantara date back to prehistory, their Kprobably comes from an Arabic word, qantara, meaning “bridge” or castle – an area that, owing to its cool summer breezes, was long rugged peaks belong very “arch”, which may have originated with Arab invaders or perhaps the a favoured summer refuge from the heat of the Mesaoria Plain. much to the mediaeval world. Maronites from Lebanon who are said to have had settlements in this part Fire destroyed the previous Kantara forest of pine and cypress of the island. trees in 1912, so the trees and small brush on the slopes today are Kantara, St. Hilarion, Buffa- Indeed, the castle’s setting resembles an arch, and it commands a vento… the names of the three much younger than the old stone of the castle walls. breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea, the eastern reaches of the The castle is in reasonably good shape, especially compared castles that cling to the moun- Mesaoria Plain, and the Karpaz Peninsula extending like a finger, pointing with Buffavento Castle. Many chambers survive, including guard taintops evoke a time when to the northeast. rooms, store rooms, the Queen’s room, and even a small observation posts surveyed the It’s widely believed that the castle was built in Byzantine times, 200 Christian chapel. northern coastline of Cyprus to years before Richard the Lionheart took possession of Cyprus in 1191. In With particularly steep cliffs to the north, west, and south, guard against invasion. the 10th century, Kantara would have served as an observation post, Kantara’s entrance was placed on the (relatively) approach-able The Lusignans rebuilt and keeping watch over the movements of the Seljuk Turks from the opposite eastern side. Here, an imposing barbican entrance sits in the improved the castles between coast. centre of an outer wall, protected by two rectangular towers 1192 and 1489, and the stony Some historians dispute this, however, dating the castle’s origins to the whose upper floors are now largely in ruins. The wall itself ramparts that still remain on first years of the Lusignan (Frankish) rule, around 1192, when Kantara stretches protectively in front of the castle, ending in two begins to appear in the written records of that time. What is certain is that horseshoe-shaped towers with loopholes (narrow windows the peaks owe much to this the Lusignan kings improved Kantara, recognising that the steep cliffs period of time. In this instal- through which arrows could be shot). around it offered a natural protection from attack, and that its lofty position The barbican leads to a steep hillside, up which a series of ment of The Blue Beret’s afforded views of any enemy approaching from either sea or land. steps climbs to the wall around the inner ward, similarly flanked series on the Cultural Heritage One story from this period comes from a witness of the third crusade, by two towers. To the left, the southeast tower features a large, of Cyprus, we look at the saying that after the Battle of Tremithousa, Duke Isaac Comnenos, chased rectangular room with a cross – vaulted ceiling. In the tower’s easternmost castle: Kantara. by Richard the Lionheart, found refuge at the castle. After Kyrenia Castle, lowest level, which was once used as a prison, a cistern gathers on the northern coast, surrendered to Guy de Lusignan (Richard’s repre- rainwater. Beyond the tower, three vaulted rooms with loopholes sentative), Isaac left Kantara, and surrendered himself to de Lusignan. In were used as barracks for the soldiers – conveniently near the this chronicle, the castle is mentioned as Candasia or Candaira. castle’s entrance – along with a mediaeval latrine. During the Lusignan period, at the beginning of the The chambers that line the rest of the south and the west castle Lombardic War, supporters of the German Emperor walls are less well preserved than these first three, but still offer Frederick II managed to capture Kantara. After a sense of the castle as it once was, with cisterns, and a ruined Frederick’s troops were defeated by Regent John tower that would have protected a small entrance in the western d’Ibelin’s army at the Battle of Nicosia on 14 July 1229, walls (impractical for everyday use, but vital in emergencies). one of the leaders – Gauvain de Chenichy – took refuge Circling around toward the castle’s northern wall, a ruined at Kantara. D’Ibelin’s army besieged the castle under the tower stands on the mountain’s highest peak, one window still leadership of Anseau de Brie, but the thick walls and framing the view to the west. From this vantage point, guards at strategic position proved a difficult challenge. Only after Kantara could communicate with their counterparts at Buffavento de Chenichy’s death did the castle surrender, in the Castle, exchanging messages and warning of potential threats. summer of 1230 – although it changed hands back to The two-storey northeast Frederick’s supporters, and back again to d’Ibelin, tower – located on the northern several years later. edge of the castle’s entrance The castle’s key place in history continues in later wall – remains in fair condition. centuries. During the Genoese occupation of Famagusta, Here, its ground floor passage which lasted almost a century (1374 to 1464), the castle leads to a square chamber of Kantara appears to have served as a strategic position covered with a cross vault. A for the Lusignans to defend against the Genoese attacks doorway leads to a horseshoe- inland, remaining in the hands of the supporters of King shaped vaulted tower, with Peter II. This era saw Kantara once again providing safe loopholes on three sides. The refuge, this time for the Regent John of Antioch, when he tower’s top floor features a was smuggled out of the Famagusta prison to which the long, narrow passage and a Genoese had sent him, and brought to Kantara. In 1391, rectangular chamber that leads James I (Peter II’s uncle and successor) reinforced to the tower’s parapet. Kantara by adding its outer wall. Nearby During the early Venetian period (1489 to 1571), the The site of an ancient castle was guarded by a company of Italian soldiers monastery dedicated to the detached from the garrison of Famagusta. After 1525, Kantariotissa Virgin lies a short however, hampered by a lack of manpower to guard the distance from the castle. In the castle, Italian engineers judged Kantara to be of no 13th century, the monastery was further use, and it was partially dismantled and the Orthodox Church’s centre of abandoned to the elements. resistance to the Latin clergy. 8 May 2003 - The Blue Beret May 2003 - The Blue Beret 9 The Hard Rock Cafe n top of a hill, in the middle of the buffer zone, south east of Camp Saint IstvÆn in Athienou, Othere is a small isolated patrol base called the Hard Rock Cafe. Where that nickname derives from no one knows! Maybe it s because it is situated on a hard rock ? Or maybe it s because its habitants have made it into a nice, cosy cafe, always ready to offer a visitor a cup of coffee and engaging small talk. Six men live there side by side, day in, day out. They patrol, they observe, they are standby in the 2nd Platoon 1st Coy area of responsibility, and when that is done, they hang out together, as a close family, work- United Artists! ing, resting, eating, and often making jokes with each other. As SSgt. TamÆs Csendes, PB leader, says: hen in Italy last year, I purchased a painting from There is a very strong bond between us! a little gallery in Florence. When I got it home I When the soldiers are not out patrolling, they are Wtook it to a gallery downtown and asked the owner busy with their hobby collecting old motor vehicles Marian Ingruber and Alice Tierney discuss what she thought of it. She said: The good news is it s a in the buffer zone. They have jokingly named their the merits of Marian’s painting “An Open Window” genuine Pandino, from his Venice period . I was ecstatic. base as the heaviest base in 1st Coy. It s also one of The bad news is that Pandino was a plumber. But as the the more pleasant ones, with a year-round breeze, even old clichØ goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and during the hottest months, giving PB 114 another nick- beauty, style, class and a whole lot more were in abundant name: Base of the Everlasting Wind. display on 14 May at St. Michael s school UNPA when the students of the UN art workshop exhibited their creations There is one member of the team not yet mentioned. for all to see. Burkus, the watch dog, is responsible for guarding and Many were showing their work for the first time and all securing the area. She is the oldest member of the PB, must be congratulated for the quality and diversity of and is always there to greet and bid farewell during painting on display. Works ranged from horses in oils, to rotations. lilies in pastels, charcoal drawings of churches, old men Yes, life in PB 114 is not all that bad! looking pasty in pastels, frogs climbing trees, apples, flowers and abstract shapes and colours. Picasso would have been proud of them. The evening started with a reception hosted by Marian UNCIVPOL Medal Presentation Ingruber, tutor and mentor, who guided the students through Wall-to-wall paintings and not an inch of space! By Supt. Marty Plim months of hard work from furrowed brow frustration to uring April and early May 2003, the new crossing decided that the UNCIVPOL Medal Parade had to be raptures of delight on being told when shyly showing their points opened along the BZ led to a significantly cancelled. Nevertheless, it was also decided that if work to a loved one: It s fantastic, get it framed and hang Dincreased workload for UNFICYP. Ledra- and operational priorities permitted, a less formal Medal it on the wall ! Oh the joy when it all comes together. Pyla-based UNCIVPOL members were especially hard- Presentation would take place. The very large attendance included the Chief of Mission, pressed. So it was with regret and after much deliberation On 8 May, available UNCIVPOL members and their Mr. Zbigniew Wlosowicz, and the Force Commander, Lt. that Ch. Supt. Basil Walsh, Commander UNCIVPOL, families, assembled outside UNFICYP HQ, where the Gen. Jin Ha Hwang. The Irish Ambassador, Mr. John Swift, Chief of Mission was also present to support his wife, Jean, who was one of presented UN med- the exhibitors. als and numerals to The very appreciative students presented Marian with a 15 AUSTCIVPOL bouquet of flowers. In return, she thanked all for attending and 11 IRCIVPOL and, in particular, John and Shelia Hunt for their support in members. All were helping to keep the art classes thriving within the UNPA. disappointed that Anyone interested in participating in the Art workshop the Medal Parade Big Spender Dermot Higgins inspects the exhibits, can contact Marian at 99-584104. hand firmly on his wallet CCC had to be cancelled, but felt, under the circumstances, that the Medal Presenta- tion was an appro- priate substitution. Others welcomed the large turnout of spouses, partners and young children, saying that the his- toric circumstances on the island made the presentation perhaps even more Look, with hands like these, memorable. If I framed this shirt, I could hang it with all the others! I could have painted the Sistine Chapel! 10 May 2003 - The Blue Beret May 2003 - The Blue Beret 11 Air Crash Exercise A Tribute to Štefánik ollowing UNFICYP s air crash he camp in Sector 4 the French Government to go to the exercise which took place in the Headquarters is named after island of Tahiti in the Pacific to UNPA on 7 March this year, F one of the most significant observe the course of Haley s comet. Sector 4 decided to hold a similar T exercise in the AOR of 1st Coy close generals in Slovakian history. To It was on this trip that tefÆnik came to PB 101. The event was planned explain his importance, The Blue in contact with his compatriots in the and cooordinated by the Ops Asst. Beret highlights the biography of US and learned that nearly three and Air Liaison Officer, Maj. SÆndor this distinguished personality. quarters of a million Slovaks had Hegedus, to test the ability of Sector Nestling at the foot of Mount emigrated there in search of better 4 personnel in an air crash situation. Bradlo in Slovakia lies the small opportunities than those available in The scenario was as follows: a village of BrezovÆ, hidden among their own homeland, which helicopter crash occurred in the the surrounding wooded hills. Near- remained strangled in the grip of vicinity of PB 101. This was imme- by is the village of Ko ariskÆ, where feudal government. diately reported to the JOC, and the Milan Rastislav tefÆnik was born While travelling from New York local medical and fire teams were on 21 July 1880. His father was a to San Francisco, tefÆnik stopped called to the scene. Simultaneously, Lutheran clergyman, who ministered off to visit the Slovak colonies in members of PB 101 began fighting to the spiritual needs of the villagers. New York, Chicago and on the west the fire. His vocation afforded him more coast. Everywhere his magnetic Meanwhile an Incident Control consolation of conscience than pecu- personality won him friends. By Point (ICP) had been set up and the niary reward, for the people were 1913, his renown had spread far and area secured by two checkpoints. poor and the emoluments meagre. wide, and his astronomic calcula- In this peaceful atmosphere, in circumstances tions, discoveries and observations were widely known bordering on outright want, tefÆnik spent his boyhood and respected. under the guidance and tutelage of his parents. It was On 9 September 1913, the New York daily paper here that the foundation was laid for the education of the Slovak v. Amerike , under the headline Dr. tefÆnik in boy who was destined to become a noted mathema- America , informed its readers of his visit, his The trapped crew were gradually eased out of the tician, astronomer, diplomat and soldier, and ultimately achievements and plans. Recalling an earlier visit by the helicopter and first aid was provided. achieved the army s highest rank, that of French General distinguished traveller, the paper noted how he had The fire team brought the area under control, and the Sector 4 Medical Officer and his team attended the (August, 1918). survived many perilous adventures but perhaps none so injured. The casualties were evacuated from the crash Small of stature, frail and lightly built, having been dangerous as when he had almost lost his heart to a scene by a Bell 212 UN Flight helicopter and by born with heart problems, tefÆnik was a dynamo of charming young Slovak lady, the belle of Chicago’s ambulance. energy in spite of this handicap. It seems that the very Slovak community. Although this exercise may sound easy and knowledge of this defect, and the uncertainty as to when Returning to Czechoslovakia from Siberia where his straightforward, it definitely isn t! It is vital that such he would be called back to his Creator, imbued young visit had helped boost the morale of the Czech army, training takes place, ideally on a regular basis. tefÆnik with exceptional zeal and determination in tefÆnik next turned to Italy where some legionaires still It was an excellent opportunity for all personnel whatever he undertook. Certainly his frail condition did awaited transfer home to their newly liberated country. involved to experience an emergency situation and learn not deter him from succeeding in the tasks and tefÆnik made the necessary arrangements and then set how to deal with it accordingly. challenges he set for himself. If anything, it probably about organising his own trip back. just spurred him on. Such was his love of country that he opted to fly In 1910, tefÆnik, whose attainments had drawn the home on the wings of love, on a Caproni plane. So, Green Line – Virtual Reality attention of the scientific world, was commissioned by accompanied by two Italian aviators, he took off in the By Capt. Ali Simmons early hours of the morning. He and his companions crossed told the British High Commission I would be happy to give the kids a talk about the Green line and the over the crests of the Carnolian Ihistory of Cyprus. So here I was on 7 March, wel- Alps and shortly before noon coming a group of 15 eight-year-olds from Highgate approached the outskirts of Primary School at the gates of Sector 2 HQ at Wolseley Bratislava, the new capital of Barracks, and wondering what I had let myself in for! Slovakia. It was a windy day and After they had settled down in the briefing room I a suitable landing place could launched headlong into my tried and trusted presenta- not be found. As the aircraft tion on the history of Cyprus and a short chronology of circled above the town of the war in 1974, though slightly simplified, (mainly for Vajnory at a height of 1,500 feet, my benefit!!). I sensed that the attention span of a group it dropped suddenly, crashing to of pre-teens might not last as long as my usual the ground. tefÆnik and the two presentation demanded and quickly switched to my aviators were killed instantly. electronic version of the Green Line Virtual Reality tefÆnik s earthly remains Tour. The photographs of the old streets and lanes of the climbed the four long flights of stairs and eventually were buried on Mount Bradlo, Green Line, seemed to raise their interest level to a point came out into the sunshine on the roof of LPH. This was the mountain of his early where there was a great deal of audience participation, the closest they would come to actually seeing the childhood. To this day, his spirit especially when it came to the minefields within the old situation at first hand, and the questions came thick and lives on among the people, the city. fast. All the kids seemed to enjoy the unusual school hero who had worked untiringly, After the presentation, we all marched smartly over trip departing Sector 2 with waves and very smart day and night, in the crucial to Ledra Palace Hotel (LPH) in military fashion, salutes! liberating days of the revolution. 12 May 2003 - The Blue Beret May 2003 - The Blue Beret 13 however wears two hats in UNFICYP. He is also respon- ike all true Finns, the Finnish Contingent takes sible for Finnish Contingent personnel and logistics matters Lgreat pride in its sauna in the UNPA. including financial affairs, contingent paperwork and Those lucky guests who have received an Finnish Contingent property, especially the sauna. invitation to a sauna evening hosted by the Finns Pekka was with the UN in 1995-96 with UNPROFOR will know that it is not simply a body cleansing and UNPREDEP in Macedonia as Chief of the Personnel ritual. It s a social event that could last a whole Office in the Nordic Battalion. His hobbies include studying evening or even a whole day. Fifteen-minute administrative science, jogging, karate, ju-jitsu and kick- sessions in the sauna room are followed by cold boxing. beer, sandwiches and traditional sausages and then Pekka s wife Anne and son Tommi were unable to join another stint in the sauna and so it goes. him on this tour since Tommi attends school, but they catch A guest who attended one such event said, most John (left), taking over from Jussi up with him for holidays. Pekka says: I am always looking Scandinavians enjoy taking a sauna but it is the for new things to do and here in Cyprus, I can find the Finns who have taken it to higher levels, making it he Finnish Contingent is one of the oldest in opportunity to practise my English and of course meet almost an art form. It should then come as no UNFICYP. Over 10,000 Finns have served with the people from other nations. Some days I don t say even one word in Finnish. It has been quite a difficult year since surprise to learn that there are 1… million saunas in TForce since the mission was set up in 1964. Currently Finland for a population of 5.2 million, meaning there are three Finns based in the UNPA. Camp Command has had to deal with all the flooding and Maj. Jussi Hokkanen, the outgoing LO TF, who has been concurrent problems in the UNPA. I m now waiting for the there is one sauna to every four people. with UNFICYP for the last year, is now saying goodbye and summer season to arrive so that I can have a taste of nice, hot Saunas are an integral part of life in Finland and Outside the sauna handing over to Lt. Col. John Laukka. John comes from his weather! deeply rooted in their culture with many social on the UNPA posting as CO of the Hame Cavalry Battalion in the Hame The third member of the Finnish Contingent is Capt. events historically centred around the sauna, in- seems almost masochistic to somebody Regiment in Lahti in south Finland (a town famous for Marko L hteenm ki, the UNFICYP Force Signals Officer. cluding birth and death as well as almost everything who hasn t tried it, but those who have skiing and winter competitions). John has Marko comes to UNFICYP from Kainu in between. insist it has a wonderful therapeutic been with the Finnish Army since 1974. Brigade in northern Finland where he effect. Your skin feels great after a He joined as a conscript, attended the served as Staff Officer of the Signal sauna and for days afterwards it feels as officers cadet school and became Battalion. soft as a baby s, one Scandinavian a lieutenant in 1978. John has Marko works with the woman said. previous service with the UN, Sector Signals Officers who Then there is the social side of it it s channel signal requests serving as a Military great once you get over the fact that Observer with UNTSO in through him. He is direct- OGGD (Damascus) from ly responsible to the Chief everyone sitting around you is naked, you 1995-96. John s wife Operations Officer and can relax and enjoy yourself. Women Ritva joined him in the Chief of the Elec- tend to use it as a therapeutic time for Cyprus on 16 April and tronic Services. themselves to socialize with their will stay for the whole Marko enlisted as a girlfriends and catch up on the latest year. Tony and Jani, their conscript in 1987. He news. twin sons (21), are cur- joined the military aca- On the other hand, men in Scandina- rently conscripts and will demy in 1989 and gradu- vian countries, and especially in Finland, come for holidays. John ated in 1992 in communi- use it as an informal business meeting says: I m looking forward to cations. Here in UNFICYP, area where deals can be clinched. working with all the people in Marko s duties involve the Newly arrived Lt. Col. John Laukka UNFICYP. I think I am the operational communications sys- says he would like to bring a flavour of luckiest Finn to have been selected to tems for the whole Force. He began Finland to UNFICYP. The last thing I replace Jussi. There are many people who Pekka his one-year tour in January 2003. Marko attended a UN staff officers course did before leaving Finland and the first would have liked this post, but, as they say in Only a few decades ago, when midwives In the sauna’s thing I did when I arrived in Cyprus was Finland, I won the lottery. (UNSOC II) in Sweden last year. He enjoyed the course and and hospitals were rare in Finland, babies were reception room to have a sauna. It s the perfect place to Jussi says: I ve had a great time with UNFICYP, and I found it very instructive. But this is born in saunas as there was plenty of hot water hope John gets the same support and encouragement I Marko s first UN mission and he relax and discuss business! received during my tour. I wish all the best to UNFICYP has already found out that every available and the bench was a good place to lie Enjoying the sauna down on and give birth. and my colleagues. mission works in its own way. Marko Pekka Riekkola, the Camp Commandant, is the second The UN system took some During wartime, the Finns built saunas for Finn in UNFICYP and is well-known to everyone. Pekka getting used to, but now I their soldiers in the front line of battle to keep enlisted in 1977 as a conscript and has been in the army feel quite comfortable. their morale high. And when the army since then. He arrives from the Personnel Office of Western Marko was an ath- retreated, it not only carried its dead back with Command Headquarters in H meenlinna in the south of lete in the military it but its saunas as well. Finland. Pekka is responsible for 1,220 officers (nomina- pentathlon at inter- In even earlier times, when Finnish settlers tions, promotions, salaries, task demands, retirement, etc). national level. He moved into new territory, the first thing they On his return to Finland, Pekka will take up the post of has been all over built was not a cabin for themselves and their Personnel Administration Planning Officer. Europe (particularly families but a sauna, and they lived in it until a He arrived in UNFICYP in September 2002 for a one- the Nordic countries) real home was erected. Saunas were also used year tour as Camp Commandant. This entails basically and has even travel- for brewing beer, curing and smoking meat, running the Camp Command office, which includes led as far as China. washing clothes and laying out the dead. He keeps up the following up on the contractors who take care of the UNPA Today, however, it is the therapeutic effects and the facilities located therein. CC also allocates training but not so accommodation in Blue Beret Camp, as well as taking care seriously as before. of saunas that are capitalized on in spas the of the renovation and refurbishment plans. His hobbies include world over. Stepping into a steam room with a The Camp Command team includes Pekka, WO2 Noel water sports, boating and temperature of 100 degrees Celsius (the boiling O Neill and Camp Assistant Mr. Panicos Loizou. Pekka hunting with dogs. point of water) to perspire for 15 minutes 14 May 2003 - The Blue Beret May 2003 - The Blue Beret 15