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We have gathered here today to
pay tribute to the thousands of men and women who have served, and continue
to serve in United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). It has
been 60 years since their arrival and we are grateful for their service.
I want to express the gratitude
of the Government and people of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations
and to the 43, soon to become 44, troop contributing countries.
Allow me to briefly refer to
the historical context.
In December 1963 armed clashes
broke out in Cyprus. The Security Council was seized of the matter. On the 4th
of March 1964, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 186 recommending
“the creation, with the consent of the Government of Cyprus, of a United
Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus”. It was tasked to preserve
“international peace and security […], to use its best efforts to prevent a
recurrence of fighting and, as necessary, to contribute to the maintenance
and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions.”
The Force was originally given
a three-month mandate. It has been 60 years.
Especially during the Turkish
invasion of 1974, UNFICYP’s contribution has been extremely important. It
tried to broker local ceasefires and to assist the afflicted population
caught in the midst of war. It has paid a heavy price in human lives during
that time.
Allow me to take this
opportunity to pay tribute, not only to those peacekeepers who died that
tragic summer, but to all the 187 peacekeepers who lost their lives while
serving in Cyprus.
In the immediate aftermath of
the Turkish invasion, UNFICYP assisted the High Commissioner for Refugees,
the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international
organisations in relief efforts. They rendered assistance to the victims,
facilitated deliveries of medical and food supplies, and worked for the
location of missing persons as well as the release of prisoners.
In enforcing its mandate for
the prevention of a recurrence of fighting, the Force assumed the supervision
of the 180-kilometre-long buffer zone between the ceasefire lines.
It has been given an expanded
humanitarian mandate in providing emergency assistance, and thereafter,
humanitarian relief to the displaced. Still until today, UNFICYP has been the
key point of contact as regards our enclaved people.
Furthermore, throughout these
six decades, UNFICYP has supported the efforts of the good offices mission of
the United Nations Secretary-General in the “continued search for a
peaceful settlement.”
Dear friends,
The exhibition that is
presented here today is a snapshot of our history.
I would like to take the
opportunity to thank the Press and Information Office, and especially its
Director, Ms Aliki Stylianou, whose valuable contribution made today’s event
possible, as well as the Mayor of Lefkosia for hosting us in this amazing
building.
The depiction of history serves
as a reminder that we are still facing significant and serious challenges, as
documented by the UN Security Council. Reference can be made to the recent
forward movements of the occupying forces, as well as, to the recent attacks
against members of the Peacekeeping Force, an act that the international
community has condemned in the strongest possible terms.
In its sixty-year history,
UNFICYP has played an invaluable role. We are grateful to the United Nations
for the 60 years of service. We are thankful to the troop and police
contributing countries, and to the 150,000 men and women in uniform that have
served with UNFICYP over the years.
We remain forever grateful.
Thank you.
(MF/NG)
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