A New Year,A New Secretary-General

January 2007 – The Blue Beret 3

What’s In A Name?Not long after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon tookoffice, his Spokesperson Michelle Montas offeredmembers of the UN press corps some help with Koreannames by clarifying how the new Secretary-Generalshould be addressed. “Korean names formally beginwith the family name, followed by the given name, sohis name should be stated as Ban Ki-moon. His surnameis ‘Ban’, spelled b-a-n and pronounced ‘bahn’. His givenname is ‘Ki-moon’ with a capital ‘K’, small ‘i’, hyphen andsmall ‘m-o-o-n’. The accurate pronunciation of thatwould be ‘gee-moon’.”

Not surprisingly, since she was dealing with thepress, Ms. Montas’s comments elicited a further series ofquestions as indicated by the following exchange:

Question: A lot of people, even here at the UN, aresaying Ban Ki, but you are telling us it’s Ban Gi?Spokesperson: It’s Ban “gee-moon”. He joked duringthe meeting with staff. He said he does not want to becalled “Mr. Ban”, because he is not planning to ban any-thing. He is not going to ban any constructive dialoguewith the staff – definitely not. So it’s “bahn gee-moon”.Question: I just wanted to triple confirm on the pro-nunciation – maybe you can spell out: “g-i” you aresaying – not “k-i”?Spokesperson: Yes, it is just the way I was told – it’s‘bahn gee-moon’. Question: We should use a “g” then?Spokesperson: It’s pronounced “g”.

Ban Ki-Moon Shapes His Team

In one of his first assignments, Secretary-General BanKi-moon announced he was appointing Dr. Asha-RoseMigiro of the United Republic of Tanzania as his

Deputy Secretary-General. The new SG said that heintends “to delegate much of the management andadministrative work of the Secretariat, as well as socio-economic affairs and development issues, under a clearline of authority to ensure that the Secretariat willfunction in a more effective and efficient manner.”

Dr. Migiro, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs andInternational Cooperation, is the first woman to hold thatposition.

Dr. Migiro was previously the Minister for CommunityDevelopment, Gender and Children. She has also servedas a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination ofDiscrimination Against Women (CEDAW). She holds lawdegrees from the University of Dar-es-Salaam and theUniversity of Konstanz.

In forming his new team, the SG requested mostASGs and USGs to offer their resignations voluntarilyfrom their current appointments so that he could reviewand determine the line-up to assist him in the dischargeof his responsibilities.

On his first day at work after assuming office, the newSG said his first priority would be to meet his staff.“During the transition period, I have been very muchimpressed by the high level of professionalism, exem-plary professionalism and dedication of my Secretariatstaff. At the same time, I am determined to help my staff

to serve even more andbetter for the internationalorganisation, by persever-ing in our efforts to changethe United Nations, thisOrganisation, and by build-ing a staff equipped toaddress all the challenges inthe 21st century, and alsoby trying to bridge the gap

and divide and mistrust which have been plaguing toomuch the United Nations.”

On 11 January, at his first formal news conferencesince assuming office, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonstressed he would strive to restore trust, both betweenMember States and the Secretariat, and between seniormanagement and staff, strengthen institutional capacity,and change the working culture of the United Nations.“My goal will be to build a staff which is truly mobile andmulti-functional, through greater emphasis on careerdevelopment, training, accountability, and recognition ofwork performed at all levels,” he declared.

Tanzania's Minister forForeign Affairs andInternational Cooperation,Asha-Rose Mtengeti Migiro

THE BLUE BERETPublished monthly by the:

Public Information OfficeUnited Nations Peacekeeping Force inCyprusHQ UNFICYPPO Box 216421590 NicosiaCyprus

Tel: 2261-4550/4416/4408Fax: 2261-4461E-mail: unficyp-blue-beret@un.org

blueberetcyprus@hotmail.comWebsite:www.unficyp.org

Editorial TeamBrian KellyMiriam TaylorNetha KreouzosSgt. Jozef Kocka (Photographer)Anne BurseyCapt. Štefan Zemanovič

Unit Press OfficersSector 1 Capt. Mauricio Silvestre

Sector 2 Capt. Ellie Haywood

Sector 4 Capt Miloš Segeň

MFR Lt. Tom Bell

UNPOL Sgt. Heath Davies

UN Flt 1/Lt. Nestor Marelli

FMPU Capt. Miroslav Svorník

The Blue Beret is UNFICYP’s in-housejournal. Views expressed are of theauthors concerned, and do not neces-sarily conform with official policy.

Articles of general interest (plus photoswith captions) are invited from allmembers of the Force.

Copyright of all material is vested inUN publications, but may be repro-duced with the Editor’s permission.

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2 January 2007 – The Blue Beret

Front Cover:A New Year, A New Secretary-General

Back Cover: Mi Casa, Tu Casa!

ContentsEditorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Ban Ki-moon Shapes His Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32006 – UNFICYP’s Year in Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4/5CMP Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6/7Second Mediterranean UN Session / CM meets with

Nicosia Mayor / Bridge Demolished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Using the Power of Film to Promote Reconciliation . . . . . . . .9A Corner of Friendship in Cyprus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10COP Woodpecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11UN Flight Medal Parade / Volleyball / Farewells . . . . . . . . .12New Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Visitors to UNFICYP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Festive Season Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

2007 – the year beckons – the question is,will it be a year of reckoning? For the United Nations, we enter the New Yearwith hopes raised, led by Secretary-General BanKi-moon, a man committed to developing a newspirit of trust in the UN since taking over the helmon 1 January.

Here in Cyprus, we begin the year with similarhigh hopes, newly resolved to build on the found-ations laid and expectations raised when the twoleaders agreed last July to a process aimed atpromoting a resumption of negotiations for acomprehensive settlement.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressedhis determination to bridge the gap and span thedivide of mistrust that for too long, in his view,has plagued relations between Member States andSecretariat. A key to achieving this organisa-tional overhaul and one of the SG’s stated aims isa reinvigorated staff and a Secretariat that isaccountable.

In Nicosia, the New Year began auspiciouslywhen the Turkish Cypriot authorities opted toremove the controversial bridge that for a yearhad stymied efforts to get agreement between thetwo sides on opening a crossing point at LedraStreet in the heart of the old town.

Now, with the bridge dismantled, perhaps wecan look forward to Nicosia having its ownpassageway of trust linking Turkish Cypriot andGreek Cypriot aspirations in a practical andsymbolical way.

A positive new year wish would be that the twosides resolve freely of themselves to step acrossthe dividing line and put past grievances andrecriminations firmly behind them in a resolutemove forward towards that elusive ideal – acomprehensive settlement.

Editorial

January 2007 – The Blue Beret January 2007 – The Blue Beret

Netha Kreouzos

4

The year 2006, marked by changes at the topincluding the arrival of new SRSG Michael Møller inJanuary and new Force Commander Maj. Gen. Raf-

ael José Barni of Argentina in early March, saw muchprogress achieved in making the mission a more coher-ent and integrated tool at the service of its ultimateobjective: a peaceful and unified Cyprus. The Lebanoncrisis underscored the way all components of the missionpulled together and in a time of need were able to deliverin a very complex emergency situation.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan met President Papa-dopoulos in Paris in February, and the Turkish Cypriotleader Mehmet Ali Talat in Geneva on 20 November toreview progress on the Cyprus problem.

In between, Under-Secretary-General Gambari’s visitto the island was the catalyst for the 8 July agreement,a two-track process to launch bi-communal discussionson everyday technical issues plus an exchange of lists ofsubstantive issues for review by working groups from thetwo sides and subsequent approval by the two leaders.Later in the year, USG Gambari wrote to the leadersurging that they keep their commitment and resolve. Atyear’s end, their principal aides remained engaged indiscussions in SRSG Møller’s offices about how to movethe process forward in order to resume negotiationtowards a comprehensive settlement.

January saw the arrivalof new SRSG Michael Mølleras successor to ZbigniewWlosowicz. Welcoming thechallenge ahead, Møller toldthe Blue Beret: “A goodjob is one in which firstlyone can apply some thingslearnt in the past, secondlylearn something new, andthirdly have a feeling youare doing something useful.” UNFICYP Force CommanderMaj. Gen. Hebert Figoli’s tour of duty came to an end on5 January and he returned home to Uruguay. Also inJanuary, two suspect cases of avian influenza on theisland tested positive for H5N1. Promptly, the authoritiesimplemented a range of measures from flock culling tothe introduction of decontamination procedures andrandom testing in suspect and vulnerable areas. Bothsides worked closely with under UN auspices WHO, FAOand EU officials. Later in the month, the new Chief ofMission made his first visit to Pyla, an event highlightedby the attendance of some 70 children from the mixedvillage’s two schools at a stirring show-and-tell perfor-mance by the Merlin Marching band of the Royal Fusiliersin the local square.

The Secretary-Generaland President Papadopoulosmet in Paris on 28 Februaryto review the Cyprus situ-ation and to look for waysto move the process for-ward. They agreed that theresumption of the negotia-tion process, within theGood Offices framework, should be both timely andcarefully prepared. The SG welcomed the fact that theleaders of both communi-ties had agreed tobi-communal, technical-level discussions on a rangeof issues. Less than amonth into his assignment,the Chief of Mission invitedall staff from HQ UNFICYP –national and international

civilians, military and police– to a “meet and greet” re-ception at Ledra Palace. TheCM returned to Ledra Palaceseveral days later to sayhello to representatives ofthe island’s media.

Ledra Palace was againthe location when UNFICYP hosted an 8 March Inter-national Women’s Day panel of three Turkish Cypriot andthree Greek Cypriot women in a discussion on thetrafficking of women andgirls in Cyprus and how tocombat it. Sally Anne Cor-coran, UNFICYP’s GenderFocal Point, moderated.Force Commander Maj.Gen. Rafael Barni arrived inCyprus on 5 March to takeup his duties. SRSG Møllermet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat at hisresidence in Kyrenia on 27 March to brief him about theSG’s Paris meeting with Mr. Papadopoulos. Mr. Talat wasrecuperating from recentheart by-pass surgery. On29 March, the improved As-tromeritis-Zodhia/Bostancicrossing re-opened for bus-iness, enhanced byEU-funded road upgradesinc-luding fencing andlighting. The project wasexecuted by UNDP/PFF.

UNFICYP marked the first International Day for MineAwareness on 4 April with a special demonstration of de-mining techniques inside the buffer zone, just acrossfrom Ledra Palace. GreekCypriot and Turkish Cypriotpolitical parties, the diplo-matic community and mediaheard the CM address theglobal message of the day –“landmines have no place inany civilized society.” Hehoped the event would helpspur an even more deter-mined effort on the part of both communities to rid theisland completely of its lethal landmine heritage. “Eachmine cleared brings us one step closer to building theconditions for lasting andproductive peace,” he said.The first UNFICYP Town Hallmeeting was held on 6 Aprilwhen the CM briefed staffon the mission’s latest initi-atives and explained theSG’s reform proposals.

SRSG Møller made afamiliarisation tour of the Karpass on 18 May, includingstop-offs in the villages of Leonarisso, Ayia Triada andRizokarpasso. Lt.Gen. R.K. Mehta, Military Adviser to theSG, arrived in Cyprus on 24 May from New York for afour-day routine working visit.

In June, the Cyprusoffice of UNHCR markedWorld Refugee Day with thelaunch of a fashion T-shirtin an effort to raise aware-ness of the global refugeeproblem as well as raisefunds to benefit asylumseekers and refugees in

Cyprus. To mark WorldEnvironment day, UNDP’sAction for Cooperation andTrust organised a three-dayEco Forum (5-7 June).Some 140 participants fromboth communities discussedpotential solutions to theproblems of desertificationin Cyprus.

July proved to be an intensive and demanding monthfor all in UNFICYP. As noted, the two leaders TassosPapadopoulos and MehmetAli Talat agreed on 8 July toa process for the launch ofbi-communal discussions foreveryday issues, and theswap of substantive lists ofissues for review by work-ing groups and approval bythe leaders. USG Gambarihelped broker the agree-ment at a meeting in the SRSG official residence in theUNPA. Mr. Gambari spent three days on the islandfollowing visits to Ankara and Athens. The two leadersmet three times in thespace of a week, breaking ahiatus of more than twoyears. The first meetingwas on 3 July when the twocame together as promisedto mark the entry on dutyof Christophe Girod, thenew Third Member of theCommittee on Missing Per-sons (CMP).

In the second half ofJuly, UNFICYP geared upalmost overnight to supportand help colleagues andmany others trapped in thedevastating developmentsin neighbouring Lebanon.UNFICYP helped bring 1,222evacuees to safety in Cyp-rus from Beirut and ports insouthern Lebanon. Those evacuated aboard a UN-chartered Cypriot vessel included 392 UN staff ordependents. The mission also helped re-supply UNIFILcolleagues. Twice UNFICYP’sUN Flight Bell 212 helicop-ter flew to Beirut carryingthe Lebanese Prime Ministerand senior officials to andfrom Larnaca Airport inCyprus for transit en routeto the 26 July summit inRome and back.

Assistance to UNIFIL continued throughout August, amonth when, sadly, the remains of UNIFIL civilian staffmember Augustine Bielonwu, killed during an Israelirocket attack on 17 July inTyre, were brought toNicosia. USG Jean-MarieGuehenno attended a me-morial service at UNFICYPHQ. August also saw theannouncement by the CMPof plans to launch its projecton the exhumation, iden-tification and return ofremains.

UNFICYP helped cele-brate International Day ofPeace on 21 September inCyprus with a special peacecandle vigil ceremony hos-ted by SRSG Møller in theLedra Palace buffer zonecrossing area. Greek Cyp-riot and Turkish Cypriotmembers of the Cyprus World War II Veterans’ Asso-ciation including former President Clerides attended.

UN Ombudsman PatriciaDurrant introduced herselfand the work of her office toall staff at a Town Hallmeeting in early October.Addressing some 200 guestat Ledra Palace on UN Day,among them the leader ofthe Turkish Cypriot commu-nity Mehmet Ali Talat, SRSGMøller spoke of the UN’s pride in its long-standing recordof support for the efforts of Cypriot civil society organi-sations to promote bicommunal cooperation on theisland. “A strong and active civil society is crucial if youreally want to get a firm and lasting solution to theCyprus problem”, he said.

Outgoing SG Annan metTurkish Cypriot leaderMehmet Ali Talat in Genevaon 20 November. On 22November, two landmineswere detonated in thebuffer zone in a joint EU/UNceremony to signify thatNicosia had become mine-free. UNFICYP Chief ofMission Møller praised theEU for its support, notingthat the de-mining efforthad removed 2,810 minesfrom 25 minefields and hadcleared 1.8 million squaremetres of land in the bufferzone since its launch inNovember 2004.

The same month, theHead of DPKO’s Gender Ad-visory Team, Ms. ComfortLamptey, briefed UNFICYPstaff on progress to date onimplementation of SC reso-lution 1325 – Women,Peace and Security. Thisprovides an important man-date for addressing genderissues including requestedincorporation of a gender per-spective into peacekeepingoperations. Meanwhile, SRSGMøller opened a UNDPACT/USAID environmental aware-ness poster campaign. Heand US Ambassador RonaldSchlicher inaugurated the Ledra Palace crossing area’snew “gallery” display of posters highlighting the uniqueasset the BZ is to the island.

Distinguished visitors to the mission during the yearincluded Denmark’s Prime Minister Anders Fogh Ras-mussen in September, Ireland’s President Mary McAleese inOctober, and Hungary’s President László Sólyom inDecember.

5

2006 – UNFICYP’s Year in Review

January 2007 – The Blue Beret 76 January 2007 – The Blue Beret

Young people are the future of Cyprus. Yet recentstudies show that it’s precisely this current gener-ation of young Cypriots that seem to be loosing

interest in co-existence with their peers from the othercommunity. This trend highlights the need for increasedopportunities for young people from across the island tomeet each other and work together. Increased contactcan assist in breaking down stereotypes, prejudices andpre-conceived notions of “the other”.

The peace builders on the island recognise that it’sthe youth who must carry forward the mantle of recon-ciliation. And this is why UNDP’s programme Action forCooperation and Trust has invested heavily in projectswhich focus on bringing young Cypriots together from allcommunities through youth camps, educational forumsand sports activities.

The latest avenue for youth involvement in the recon-ciliation process is the launch in January of the “YoungFilm Makers project”. The project seeks to tackleindifference and promote civic engagement amongstCypriot youth, by giving them a unique opportunity todevelop an idea for a short film and then make ithappen. UNDP has teamed up with the TV and Radio Unitof Intercollege, which will provide high class technical

support, training, mentoring, plus digital cameras andtop-of-the-range editing equipment.

The youth of Cyprus has been invited to submit ideasfor short films of between five-to-ten minutes, throughan island-wide competition. The winning ideas will betaken forward by the project and finalists will be awardeda “scholarship” providing training, support and access tothe tools needed to make their film. Open to 18-30 yearolds, competition ideas can be about anything that isimportant to young people and can include individual orsocial issues, from the protection of the environment tointer-generational dialogue.

Entries will be judged by a selection panel made up offilm critics, youth representatives and educators. Com-petition entries can come in the form of video clipsproduced by mobile phones, digital cameras or homevideos. The competition is open to anyone, from thededicated film student, the gifted novice or the youngperson who may have never picked up a camera in theirlife. At the end of the day, UNDP is looking for the powerof an idea which can capture the spirit of the generation,and which has the potential to send out a strongmessage about co-existence and cooperation betweenCypriots.

UNDP aims to select 10 people fromeach community, and take their ideas tothe film-making phase. This will takeplace between May and June 2007,following six to eight weeks of training.Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots whohave similar ideas will be encouraged tosupport each other in making their res-pective films. However, if two finalistsfrom different communities choose towork together on a single film, this willalso be endorsed and supported. As awhole, all finalists will be urged to shareideas and support each other.

Finalists will be encouraged to use theirnative language. Films made by TurkishCypriots will have Greek subtitles andfilms made by Greek Cypriots will haveTurkish subtitles.

The films will be shown at a Film Festivalat the end of 2007 where a judging panel,made up of renowned commentators inthe world of the arts and journalism, willchoose winners for various categories.Some of the films may also be consideredfor international competitions, and UNDP-ACT will also look at how the films can bewidely shown across Cyprus in cinemasand at schools or universities.

“This project seeks to combine youthfulenergy with the profound power of thefilm medium,” said Jaco Cilliers, UNDP-ACT Programme Manager. “It will aim tostimulate an innovative social commen-tary on the issues which affect modernCypriot youth and society at large. It aimsto give Cypriot youth a voice and em-power them to express themselvesthrough film”.

The deadline for entries for the YoungFilm Makers Competition is 22 February2007. For more information, please con-tact Christopher Louise at +357 22874777 or look at www.undp-act.org

On 12 January, Chief of Mission Michael Møller wasthe keynote speaker at Nicosia’s English School,which organised the 2nd Mediterranean Model UN

session.

The Chief of Mission said he was pleased to parti-cipate and to open the Model United Nations session.He hoped it would become “a yearly tradition expandedto include students from many other Mediterraneancountries and especially also students from TurkishCypriot schools”.

He listed the goals and benefits for the participants– the promotion of diversity, belief in human rights,eradication of racism, the elimination of antagonisms,improved understanding of current international affairs,unity, peace and security, and the respect of interna-tional law and justice. These are all fundamentalcornerstones on which every individual should build hisor her profile as an active participant in the life of thesocieties they live in, he said. This is, of course, parti-cularly true if you intend to make a career in publicservice. And it is even more true for the citizens of thiswonderful, but divided, country that we live in.

Andromachi Sofocleous, Secretary-General of theMediterranean Model UN, thanked the SRSG forattending, saying his contribution added a great dealto the integrity and status of the conference.

The event was covered by several local TV stations.

SecondMediterranean ModelUN Session

Using the Power of Film toPromote Reconciliation

CM meets withNicosia Mayor

On 15 January, SRSG Møller met withthe newly elected Mayor of NicosiaEleni Mavrou at the Mayor’s Office in

central Nicosia.They exchanged views on working rela-

tions between the two communities of Nicosiaregarding the Nicosia Master Plan includingthe city’s sewerage system. They also dis-cussed how to improve communication withinthe framework of these programmes.

Mayor Mavrou asked for Mr. Møller’ssupport regarding the proposed cleaning upof the buffer zone, and the maintenance ofdangerous buildings in the area.

Ledra Street’s controversial bridge, erected on the northside of the buffer zone over a year ago on 27 November2005, was finally dismantled on 11 January 2007 after

much media excitement over the holidays. The bridge hadbeen installed to facilitate the passage of pedestriansthrough what was hoped would be the opening of the sixthand most significant of crossing points between the sides.

The actual opening of a crossing point at Ledra Streetawaits agreement between the two sides on a range ofissues including possible demilitarisation of the area.

Also, UNFICYPstands ready tomove ahead with anEU-funded UNDP/PFF project to shoreup buildings in theimmediate vicinityof the proposedworks in addition toensuring safety ofthe area.

Bridge Demolished

Using the Power of Film toPromote Reconciliation

I. History“The Committee shall look only into cases of persons

reported missing in the intercommunal fighting as well asin the events of July 1974 and afterwards.” (Article 7,Terms of Reference of the Committee on Missing Personsin Cyprus).

As a result of the violence generated during thoseunstable times, a total of 502 Turkish Cypriots and 1493Greek Cypriots were officially reported as missing by bothcom-munities to the Committee on Missing Persons inCyprus (CMP). Following a number of recent identifica-tions, the total number of missing Greek Cypriots currentlystands at 1468.

II. OriginsFrom 1975-1977, a number of inter-communal meet-

ings on the problem of the missing persons were heldbut made no significant progress. Between 1977 and1981, negotiations took place in Nicosia, Geneva andNew York for the establishment of a Committee onMissing Persons in Cyprus (CMP).

Between 1975 and 1979 the UN General Assembly(GA) adopted three different resolutions on the missingpersons in Cyprus, calling for the establishment of aninvestigatory body to tackle this humanitarian problem.Subsequently, the GA adopted two additional resolu-tions in 1981 and 1982, respectively, welcoming theestablishment of the CMP and urging the CMP toproceed without delay in carrying out its mandate.

The CMP was established in April 1981 by agree-ment between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriotcommunities under the auspices of the United Nations.It is the only institutionalized, bi-communal committeein Cyprus.

III. Structure and MandateThe CMP is composed of a Member appointed by each

of the two communities and a Third Member, selected bythe International Committee of the Red Cross andappointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.CMP decisions are taken by consensus. The chair is rotatedmonthly.

Terms of Reference of the CMP call upon the Committeeto look into the cases of persons reported missing in theinter-communal fighting as well as the events of July 1974and their aftermath. The mandate of the CMP is purelyhumanitarian: establish the fate of missing persons. TheCommittee does not attempt to establish the cause ofdeath or attribute responsibility for the death of missingpersons (Article 11, CMP Terms of Reference).

The 31 July 1997 Agreement between the leaders ofboth communities provides for the exchange of informa-tion regarding known burial sites and the return of remainsof Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot missing persons.

IV. Resumption of workOn 30 August 2004, the CMP agreed to consider how to

expand the Committee’s scope of activity and responsibi-lity, in accordance with the proposals formulated by the

Secretary-General inhis two letters to thetwo leaders of Decem-ber 2003 and August2004, calling for theresumption of thework of the CMP,namely:

a. To conclude the re-maining investigativework on both sides onthe basis of an ag-reed, comprehensivetimetable.

b. To agree on themodalities for the im-plementation of the31 July 1997 Agree-ment, in accordancewith the Terms of Ref-erence of the CMP ofApril 1981.

V. Project on the Exhumation, Iden-tification and Return of Remains ofMissing Persons

The principal objective of this project is, within theframework of the CMP, to exhume, identify and returnremains of people listed as missing as a consequence ofthe tragic events of 1963-1964 and 1974. This willenable relatives of the victims to recover the remains oftheir loved ones, arrange for a proper burial and closea long period of anguish and uncertainty. It is hopedthat the healing of old wounds will in turn favour theoverall process of reconciliation between both com-munities. The latter will be further encouraged by thebi-communal nature of the project, which involves theimportant participation of bi-communal scientific teamsat all stages of the process.

This project reflects the positive spirit which existswithin the CMP since it resumed its activities in 2004,as well as its determination to investigate and establishthe fate of some 2,000 missing persons – using variousscientific disciplines – by locating, exhuming and finallyidentifying their remains.

The project includes an Archaeological Phase (PhaseI), related to the exhumation of the remains of missingpersons, an Anthropological Phase (Phase II), relatedto the analyses of the recovered remains in the CMP’santhropological laboratory, and a Genetic Phase (PhaseIII), related to the comparison of blood samples col-lected from the victims’ families with samples from theremains, in order to identify them. It also provides forthe Return of Remains (Phase IV), aiming at helpingfamilies of both communities cope with the difficult taskof coming to terms with their loss.

VI. Progress reportCollecting blood from relatives of missing persons

The Turkish Cypriot laboratory (Dr. Burhan NalbantoğluHospital) involved in DNA extraction continues to collectblood samples from relatives of the Turkish Cypriot missingpersons for later identification purposes.

The DNA profiles of the relatives of the Greek Cypriotmissing persons were established a few years ago.

Exhumation

To date, the remains of some 207 indivi-duals have been exhumed from different burialsites located all over the island.

CMP Anthropological Laboratory

The building and equipping of the CMPanthropological laboratory within the UnitedNations Protected Area (Old Nicosia Airport)was finalised by the end of August 2006, whenit started to be operational.

Since then, the anthropological laboratoryhas analysed the remains of some 106individuals in an attempt to obtain tentativeidentification before bone samples are sent tothe DNA laboratory.

DNA analysis

DNA extracted from the skeletal remainswill be compared with the DNA of the rela-tivesof the missing persons. The DNA iden-tificationprocess will be carried out by a bi-communalteam of scientists in the Cyprus Institute ofNeurology and Genetics in Nicosia.

Identification process

When the DNA identification process isconclusive and corroborated by the anthropo-logical analysis, formal identification is reached.

Return of Remains

It is hoped that the first positive identification will beobtained soon and that therefore the first remains ofidentified individuals will be returned to families of missingpersons in 2007.

Bi-communal Teams

The entire project is carried out by bi-communal teamsof Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientists who areplaying an important role throughout the project.

International archaeologists and anthropologists fromArgentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) are coor-dinating and training the bi-communal teams of Cypriotscientists involved in the exhumation and anthropologicalwork. Ten Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are carryingout exhumations on both sides of the Green Line while fourothers are working at the CMP anthropological laboratoryin the UNPA.

Another team of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriotscientists is going to carry out the DNA identification pro-cess at the Laboratory of Forensic Genetics at the CyprusInstitute of Neurology and Genetics in Nicosia.

CMP Profile CMP Lab

Elena Stylianou (left) and Gizem Yenmez

Committeeon MissingPersons inCyprus

Members of the CMP team

8 January 2007 – The Blue Beret January 2007 – The Blue Beret 9

January 2007 – The Blue Beret10

A Corner ofFriendshipin Cyprus

An exercise took place on 25 January in Sector One’sbuffer zone area near OPT 22, more specificallybeside Agios Nicolaos village ruins.

More than 80 UNFICYP soldiers from Sector 1, UN-POL 1 (Linou), SCAT 1 (Mammari), MFR (HQ UNFICYP),UN Flight and the FMPU took part in the exercise, alongwith MFR’s Tacticas. The objective was to execute andpractise integration between the three pillars.

The scenario created was the intrusion of “civilians”who wanted to farm inside the buffer zone. A Sector 1patrol detected the intrusion. They approached the areaand requested the “civilians” to show their permissionto farm. Not only was this request refused, but a veryaggressive attitude against the UN was adopted.

Sector 1 then called UNPOL and SCAT in order to setup an ICP (Incident Control Point) in the problem area.Between themselves, the three pillars decided on theircourse of action, which was to block the “farmers” withUN vehicles.

However more “civilians” then entered the bufferzone in order to support the “farmers”, causing anescalation of the situation. Therefore, Sector 1’s reservewas called to the scene and the MFR element waswarned that it may be called upon very soon, if thesituation worsened.

Meanwhile, the “civilians” continued with theiraggressive and violent attitude. Sector 1 applied crowdcontrol procedures, but the trouble escalated evenfurther, so then MFR presence was finally requested.They arrived about 30 minutes later and re-inforced Sector 1 soldiers with protectiveequipment including helmets, vestsand shields and, of course, theTacticas.

The MOLO team, in the meantime, had contacted theSector Liaison Officer and was attempting to negotiate astop to the hostilities.

During this period of confrontation, a peacekeeperwas “injured”. Sector 1’s JOC requested a UN FlightCASEVAC. While the helicopter was on its way, thevictim was transported by ambulance to the helipad atOPT 22 and then evacuated.

Towards the end of the exercise, the MOLO, LiaisonOfficer and leader of the “demonstration” finally reachedan agreement, so the “violence” stopped and the inci-dent de-escalated. The “protesters” began to withdrawfrom the scene, and later UNFICYP returned to base.

During this event, Force Commander Maj. Gen. RafaelBarni, Chief of Staff Col. Peter Fraser-Hopewell, COSector 1 Lt. Col. Justo Treviranus, CO Sector 2 Lt. Col.Timothy Wordsworth, and CO Sector 4 Lt. Col. JaroslavSchonvicky were present with their respective sectordelegations. SPA Carla van Maris, COO Lt. Col. CarlosQuinteros and Training Officer Lt. Col. Gustavo Isaac alsoattended.

A debriefing followed with all present invited toprovide constructive comments. Sector 1 was compli-mented on the success of the exercise, in particular Maj.Cesar Rodriguez, who was the overall organiser.

Capt. Mauricio Silvestre

Marios and Maria Kattou live inthe small village of Evry-chou, situated on the road

leading to Troodos. They are theowners of the “Marios Tavern”. Butfor Argentinian Contingent, Mariosand María are the owners of the“Corner of Friendship”, a placewhere many Argentinians havefound sincere warmth and affec-tion since first arriving on the islandin 1993.

Marios and Maria have beenmarried for 45 years. They havefive children and nine grand-children. Marina, their youngestdaughter, lives with them and isalso part of this story.

Marios has been working in Skouriotissa, Sector 1,since 1963 when the camp accommodated the workersof a copper mine. In 1974, the camp buildings weretaken over by the Danish Contingent. They stayedthere until 1993 when the Argentinian Contingent tookover, renaming it San Martín Camp.

Marios has been present during all these changes,first with the copper mine, then as a cook with theDanes and now as the head cook with the Argentinians.Marina is a kitchen assistant, and Maria also works inSector 1 in various assignments around the camp.

After their daily duties in Sector 1, Marios, Maria andMarina run their tavern in the evenings. Since 1993,hundreds of Argentinians have made their way there inoff-duty hours. The family has a way of making anyvisitor feel very welcome and comfortable.

Through the years, many celebrations have takenplace in the tavern, including private parties, farewelldinners and even medal parade receptions!

Maria and Marina say they love receiving Argentin-ian peacekeepers in their house, located next door tothe tavern. They feel there is a mutual spirit there, avery similar mentality. Often, Sector 1 personnel whohave got to know the family just pop in for a visit,maybe even a cup of tea. “We feel very comfortablewith Argentinians – they are respectful of our familyand our customs,” says Maria. Marina adds: “It is veryeasy to make friends with them, particularly the

younger soldiers, who seem to enjoy a house like oursto come to while they’re so far away from home”.

After almost 14 years, more than 5,000 Argentinianmen and women have passed through Cyprus andmany of them still remember the three “Ms”. Duringthe recent festive season, more than 20 former peace-keepers telephoned them from Argentina, which clearlyshows the friendship that exists. The family, too,remembers many who have visited them in the past,including the present Force Commander Maj. Gen.Barni and his family back in 1997.

Marios, Maria and Marina have received manyinvitations to visit their friends in Argentina, but as yet,they have not quite made it. However they have somany offers of accommodation from one end to theother of this immense country that once they arrive,they will never need to search for a roof over theirheads!

The friendship shown by the Kattou family to theArgentinian Contingent is a very clear sign of the gene-rosity and kindness of the local population.

Sector 1 has no hesitation in recommending MariosTavern to all colleagues! If you would like to try thespeciality of the house, “kleftiko”, you will need to bookahead, so call 22-932 357 for a meal to remember!

Capt. Mauricio Silvestre

Mi casa, tu casa, thanks to the three “Ms”

Sector 1, SCAT and UNPOL negotiating with the “farmers”Preparing for a CASEVAC

Marios, Marina and Maria

Marios in his kitchen

COP Woodpecker

Kent Harrington has a Masters Degree from Western Illinois Universityin Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. He is a graduate of

the United States Army Command and General Staff Officers Course fromthe U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He has completedwork towards a second Masters Degree at Texas A & M University CorpusChristi in Secondary Education and is currently working towards CertifiedProtection Professional certification with the American Society forIndustrialized Security

Kent enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1977 as a Military Policeman and wascommissioned as a Military Police Officer in 1984. His assignments in-cluded Military Police Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Operationsand Training Officer, Military Observer for the United Nations in Cambodia,Adjutant, and Executive Officer. He retired at the rank of Captain in 1995.

Since then he has served in the Department of Law Enforcement atWestern Illinois University; the Kwajalein Police Department in theMarshal Islands; the United Nations in Kosovo; the Illinois Police Corps;and the Texas Police Corps. His last assignment was with the UnitedNations in Afghanistan.

January 2007 – The Blue Beret 1312 January 2007 – The Blue Beret

UN FlightVolleyballChampionship

On 13 December, a Volley-ball Championship wasplayed in the UN Flight

hangar. Teams from HQ, Sector1, Sector, 2, Sector 4, MFR andUN Flight took part.

The day-long tournamentended at 5:30 p.m. OC UN FlightLt. Col. Fernando Simo presentedtrophies to the winning team,Sector 1, second place Sector 4and UN Flight, which took thirdplace.

One very good reason to feel proud is to have the workyou do on a daily basis recognised and appreciated.Even more so if you have been working for a good

cause.Such were the sentiments of 28 UN Flight members at

their Medal Parade on 11 January. At a ceremony held in thehelicopter hangar, three officers and three NCOs wereawarded their UN medals and 22 were presented withnumerals. Chief of Mission Michael Møller and ForceCommander Maj. Gen. Rafael Barni made the presentations.

The ceremony was conducted by OC UN Flight Lt. Col.Fernando Simo who noted that more than 500 ArgentinianAir Force personnel have served with UNFICYP sinceSeptember 1994. “We have completed more than 14,000flight hours and transported over 37,000 passengers withone of the best safety records in UN aviation history,” he said.

C.M. Møller recognised UN Flight’s vital role in providingUNFICYP with air advantage and excellent medical evacu-ation capabilities. “The quick response in carrying out flightsduring the Lebanon crisis was the most outstanding exampleof Argentina and UN Flight’s readiness to help whereneeded”.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held in thehangar. OC UN Flight expressed his appreciation to all thosewho attended and shared their time with the proudmedalists.

UN Flight Medal Parade

Human Resources Assistant Ms. Temnit Fitsumhas recently joined UNFICYP. She succeedsMs. Maria Wilkins who has become Senior

Administrative Officer/Contracts ManagementOfficer.

Temnit worked for the UN Economic Commissionfor Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, formore than nine years, working in the area of HumanResources Management, mainly in administration ofstaff benefits and entitlements. She also has exten-sive experience in recruitment of staff and training.Temnit has a Diploma in Management and a Degreein Civil Engineering from Addis Ababa University.

Temnit is married to Mulugeta and they have twochildren, Rakeb (2) and Nathan (4).

Osman Suliman arrived in UNFICYP on 8 January to takeover the position of Associate Procurement Officer,

replacing Muhammad Hunar who was assigned toMINURSO in the Western Sahara.

Osman comes from Sudan and graduated from theUniversity of Khartoum in Business Administration in 1976.He first joined the United Nations as a UNV in 1995 inUNPROFOR (the former Yugoslavia). He then served inUNTAS (Croatia) until 1997. In December 1997, he wasappointed as a Procurement Assistant in MINURSO andstayed there until October 2000 when he was re-assignedto UNOHCI (Baghdad). In November 2003, he joinedUNAMI (Kuwait), and in July 2005, he moved to UNOMIG(Georgia) until his present assignment.

Osman is married to Nuzha Adlan, and they have threechildren, Muhammed (25), Mohanned (23) and Muram(20).

Maj. Martin Birch, the new SO2 Ops Info, replaced Maj.Nick Loader in January 2007. He joined the British

Army in September 1979 as a Junior Leader in the RoyalArtillery.

Martin has held a number of multi-national appoint-ments; with NATO in Sarajevo (FRY), Croatia (Zagreb),SHAPE (Belgium) with the Combined Joint Planning Staff,HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (Germany),AFNORTHWEST (England) and HQ AFCENT (Germany).He also deployed with the UN to Bosnia in 1995. Includedin his military service is over 10 years stationed in anumber of British Garrisons in Germany. Although nostranger to the UN, this is his first time in Cyprus.

Martin is married to Karen and they have two sons,Darren (22) and Lee (20). They all threaten to visit himduring his time in Cyprus!

His interests centre on sport (football, squash andgolf) and travelling.

Time passes very quickly in Cyprus. Only a short whileago, Ross Wickware first stepped into his office atUNFICYP as the new Security

Officer back in October 2004. Twoyears and three months on, he hashanded in his Laisser Passer andtraded in his white UN Corolla for aseason’s ski pass at SunshineVillage, only 15 minutes from thecondo Ross and his wife Patriciaown in Canmore, Alberta. Asidefrom seeking the good life, the timewas ripe for Ross to head back toCanada and try his hand at a jointbusiness venture in the world ofInformation Technology.

When I first met Ross, only sixmonths into his term with UNFICYP,I assumed he had been around for years. He already had hishand in a number of impressive projects and was a sourceof wisdom on issues ranging from UN policy to where tolocate the best “meze” on the island. Ross managed to out-do his job description early on to the point of acceptingtasks that, simply put, no one else wanted. Among hismany accomplishments are the design of a new security

plan for the mission; being the driving force behind a 2.2million dollar security facilities enhancementproject;

assuming the roles of SEA andConduct and Discipline focal points;and playing a key role in theevacuation of last year’s UNIFILstaff from Lebanon.

Ross’s dedication and high stan-dards did not go unappreciated. Hewill be dearly missed by CAO FrankClancy, by his motor cycling matesand by his deep sea diving buddies.Doubtless, he and Patricia will beentertaining a long list of visitorsfrom Cyprus in the years ahead.Many thanks for deciding to makea stop-over in Cyprus Ross!

AB

Capt. Mark Honeybunn, 39 Regiment RA, was postedto the MFR in September 2006 as a Platoon Com-mander, engaged in the training and deployment of

his platoon across the island. A talented rugby player, Markorganised and ran the UNFICYP Rugby 7s Tournament thismonth, and has been heavily engaged in captaining andleading the Nicosia Barbarians Rugby Team.

New Faces

Farewell

UN Flt versus Sector 1

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the RoyalNorwegian Embassy, H.E. Mr. Sverre Stub, 17 January

New Zealand High Commissioner H.E. Ms. Julie Mackenzie, 22January

High Commissioner of India, H.E. Ms. Lavanya Prasad,23 January

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary HE,Mr Csaba Lovro, 23 January

Members of the House of Commons ForeignAffairs Committee, led by Sir John Stanley MP,were welcomed to the Ledra Palace by Chief of

Mission Michael Moller and Force Commander Maj. Gen.Rafael Barni on 18 January.

The party was then taken on a buffer zone tour ofSector 2’s area of responsibility by Chief of Staff Col.Peter Fraser-Hopewell and CO Sector 2 Lt. Col. TimWordsworth.

14 15January 2007 – The Blue BeretJanuary 2007 – The Blue Beret

Flying Santadrops in onPyla’s Children

Flying Santadrops in onPyla’s Children

Christmas at HQ

It was Christmas Day at HQ UNFICYP. Earlyin the morning, officers of the MFR touredtheir soldiers accommodation blocks with

the start to the day – “gunfire” tea (tea withwhiskey) and Irish coffee, accompanied bybacon rolls and sausage baps or rolls. ThisBritish Army tradition caused some initial con-fusion among MFR’s Argentinian, Hungarian andSlovak soldiers. When they were woken up by abanging on their doors, some thought it wasanother exercise, cruelly timed. Instead, theyfound their OC standing outside, ready to servethem breakfast!

After the “gunfire”, MFR’s British soldiersorganised a trip to their fellow Brits at the LedraPalace for a carol-singing session in the carpark. The padre, Capt. Neil Allison, handed outseveral different versions of the song sheets,resulting in assorted versions of the same carolbeing sung at once!

The next British tradition was at lunchtimewhen HQ UNFICYP and MFR soldiers entered theInternational Cafeteria to find all the tables re-arranged in banquet style with festive tablecloths decorating them and the officers waitingto serve them the first course – soup. For themain course, Chief of Staff Col. Peter Fraser-Hopewell and Maj. Stan Stanton served meatcarved on the hotplate.

Following lunch, the Argentinians in particularwere baffled even further by the Christmascrackers which adorned the table. Once explainedexactly what to do with them, they joined in thefun and a good time was had by all.

Later in the afternoon, films were shown in thebar, followed by tea and a quiz in the evening.Much was done to make the soldiers feel ascomfortable as possible at this special time ofyear.

On 22 December, UNFICYP gave Santa Claus andone of his elves a lift via a patrolling helicopter tovisit the schoolchildren of Pyla.

Hundreds of excited Turkish and Greek Cypriot kidsgreeted his landing and waited patiently to receive theirpresents. Afterwards, both Muhktars, Parent-TeacherAssociation Heads, Principals, parents and the UN hadcoffee and cake while all the children played together atthe Greek Cypriot School. The joyous event celebratedthe true spirit of the holidays in a bonding display ofgoodwill, sharing and friendship. Civil Affairs PoliticalOfficer Sally Anne Corcoran hopes to have more activi-ties of this nature in 2007, with the aim of bringing allthe Cypriot children together in an atmosphere ofcamaraderie and trust.

The children of Cyprus are its future, and we arehelping to lay a good foundation when we invest inthem and bring the two communities together.

SAC

During the PIO Christmas breakfast, where members ofthe department entertained their guests with carols

suitably adapted for the occasion, £170.00 was collected.

The money will be donated this month to the KemalSaraçoğlu Leukaemia Trust for Children in the north andthe Cyprus Association for Autistic Persons in the south.

Visitors to UNFICYP HQ who were afforded the usual honours by the Chief of Mission and/orthe Force Commander included:

Greek Cyhpriot and Turkish Cypriot primary school principalsof Pyla flanking Santa (Capt. Ian Corr, Sector 2) and his elf(Ersin Oztoycan, Turkish interpreter, UNFICYP PIO)

Visitors to UNFICYPHouse of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee

Mi Casa,Tu Casa!