Times-Advocate, 1988-01-27, Page 9Times -Advocate, January 27, 1988 Page 9
On the line - Canada maintains peace with 'force'
Lorne Eedy, Publisher of the
St. Marys Journal Argus and
owner of the Exeter Times Advo-
cate was a member of a Canadian
Community Newspaper delega-
tion which travelled to Cyprus
and Israel recently to view Can-
ada's commitment to U.N.'s
peacekeeping forces.
By R. Lorne Eedy
WANTED: Canadian Military
Personnel prepared torserve-under—
another flag in all military aspects
except confrontation. Requirements
include - patience a must; keen ob-
servation skills ie: looking in both
directions; ability
and imagination in /s.- . �• �'
I\ r
.•.....r.. .1.... POLIS
1..n.o oo °• 01.••• t>.e
o•••.•• ^-
0
.r••y.e 0
/Sue Zaw•e.
4
•• 0 o-.:0...
Cyprus historical
ao J - ar.•.y CMq N4•.•y°w>
..,.:,:. On
�� ° 0101....°ori.',.
. .• •.a 0101.,.
,` "�•�
0.� r.ui♦
ICOSLA t, tire«` n•n °—°—� �L"" t
°or.or. AT
00.Z
CA 0
^` • NICOSIA
. r•.••..•`•.
•0101,...01 •0101 a.,e a°,...> .. ' ■.o 001•.0:o ••re [•0101.-0101
`•-.a _ lb °r. ".
O- e••
"`•0101...!
At. fa0e+0..
ao•••o, a / ',,.. n. r. .o.4,,,,e _ 0wi• ... , ruts-.,
•. • ° •°..I,° I_...•0•[•.,.o•.o. `.o.° 0 O.,
p•• n *u 0.01...0° u -►. 1^Y.Wu ••.••,y,p /•
•
O0.....°t• \ • .•. • I.• ,,,.01+01 o,�'o loaf.•°ro.•'.e.o..4 • •• Fun.• • ✓• v
•
a....•.a_°� •0101.�N.. >.,a. °, ,... o...•. ° r.0°.o. *...0.000._ rw_
170
1.
°01 •,01.• ° • 4„, •
_ or ��.`.o..,•u .. a *..o.° ogw+..•e • —o..""•••-.-----
•� °Z.°o r' [r^,.
P �I..-.,bu ,i e.w • • " .0001 .' > •••-
ilj�:ia...•�'� t,... .a.a ^~ . mot °o•.. a. N,.. •01 01
,�•� °.°.• 0101.>.°.°. ...°0. °r�...w0+..,. .,••• •...•oy„ : o
��.• N•.•�' ua.i• r... (>•..• r re.•.°.�, ♦,0101•0101
•
^b
0•••0.6 70`,....• > 01.01,.
4,v
•
4G0.•. ••0.° °
l,t••a .. '
•
�o,.o....w.. tARNACAINIFRNATIONALAIP.POR'
•0101 ': .,.a ••-,. . ,. ,.
0..
COs
negotiation as
in possible shoving
but no military response unless abso-
lutely life-threatening.
All of the above are necessary in
the maintenance of a buffer -zone
(the area between two ceasefire
lines) between two hostile groups.
The job also includes isolation, dis-
tant travel, long term away from
family, not much glory but satisfac-
tion in a job well done.
Experience other than military not
a necessity but must be willing to
train on the job in regards to the
above-mentioned. Please contact
Canadian U.N. Forces, Cyprus c/o
C.F.B. Belleville.
CYPRUS FALL 87 - Disorienta-
tion describes the feeling of our
group as it arrived at Larnaca Inter-
national Airport close to midnight.
The island of Cyprus continues its
popularity with tourists from Europe.
although to most Canadians it re-
mains simply an area of conflict be-
tween the majority underarmed
Greeks and the minority Turks
camped with a whopping 30,000
mainland Turkish troopcs. After a
quick refreshment in the deserted
terminal our white bus scared with 8
foot U.N. letters moves into the dark-
ness.
New experiences are about to de-
velop with our first crossing into the
Buffer -zone or 'the line'. Our route
into Nicosia follows a secondary
road which passes along the U.N.
Buffer zone. Because of its neutral
status only U.N. vehicles follow this
° / r.bdw.•
,. , o 0101...,.• 1,
° n•
a*"
road into Nicosia. At the midnight
hour our U.N. bus stems to be the
solitary traveller on this pathway.
Up pop silent soldiers, U.N. blue
oildrums created as an obstacle are
soon followed by another set of
drums. Slowly the bus swings
sharply left then right as the driver
weaves his charge between each set.
The bus lights switch off as casually
manned Greek Cypriot outpost or
O.P. is approached.
At best like a police spot check our
neutral status is quickly noted and the
journey continues but only fora short
distance. More oil drums, weaving
and we are upon the Turkish O.P. In
contrast, the Turkish regular soldier
responds respectively. Papers are
checked while two heavily armed
troopers give the U.N. bus a careful
once-over.
Meanwhile, our particulars as
time, licence, and papers are phoned
ahead to the next Turk O.P. a few
kilometres down the road (all buffer
zone) for the double-check along our
passageway. Oildrums, lights off,'
more weaving as the final Turkish
O.P. is approached. In short order
more again followed by the ultimate
Greek observation post. Cyprus
status quo is very territorial.
Within a few minutes, tired travell-
ers welcome the comforts of the New
Ledra Hotel in Nicosia.
(0«01.40
..r r
FAMAG'JSTA
0 0 laocceu.ble to r•+,ton
*01•,,01 tf-' i °' \
•.Zo. 001.,.,,'0 ' � \
I
.«�' '\")‘
-
- _•4.•'• N.09 .
•�b-�raiasC�; ar-e • , ra•3-" j Tarl.Z! �^\ t) lalraOlip
••!A'..! ••%•6"•tet.
\ 21'-`••
- • F:. v•
CYPRUS.. ._
• ' b••
-_.-
-Y
(.p.,Ac,ettat
•Anukva .' •,'Z.. z -a' A Re4Gen
'f'• Lat,,..,
,.%! lcJ^• m,an.
•
\leppu
• ° a' At ia0
al N
4110min
�Ilnny
Au- .. s • Y
LEBANON ' a:; •�
'�• .1- I.Lt•
Beirut® • _
1/07 01 I
•� *Damas:us
Canada has contributed
peacekeeping troops to the United
Nations Forces in Cyprus for 34
years. Today Cyprus continues to be
the Canadian Forces' largest
peacekeeping task with 670 Cana-
dian soldiers serving on the island.
The Canadian contingent
(CCUNCYP) responsibilities in-
clude a sector in the city of Nicosia
where opposing factions are only
meters apart. Since the Swedish
contingent's withdrawal in October
87, the Canadian responsibility now
includes a rural section to the south-
east of Nicosia.
Contingent operations involve
manning observation posts or O.P.'s
(U.N. O.P.'s lrersus Greek or Turk
O.P.'s) along the ceasefire lines,
conducting mobile patrols within the
sector, investigating cease fire viola-
tions, mediating disputes between
opposing forces, conducting humani-
tarian services and certain Red Cross
functions.
The Canadian contingent head-
quartered in Nicosia consists of 670
personnel an increase of 60 due to the
Publishers prepare for take off.
L -R. Lorne Eedy, OCNA; Bill Kennedy, OCNA; Ross Dicksoqq, OCNA; Terry McConnell, OCNA;
Dave Wenger, OCNA; Paul Scott, OCNA; Chuck McKnight, OCNA; Greg Nesbit, Manitoba Commu-
nity Newspapers Association, (MCNA); .Gary Struth, MCNA; Paul Rockley, Alberta Weekly New-
spapers Association,(AWNA); Peter Schierbeck, AWNA.
National defence backgrounder
UN Canada's participation
The 40th anniversary of the
United Nations (UN)is an oppor-
tune time to reflect on Canada's
active support of the UN's efforts
to achieve peace. A continuing
feature of this country's oreign
policy is the overall cornitment.
to promote international peace and
security.
In practice, the concept of inter-
national peace -keeping has many
limitations and should not be
viewed as an end in itself. To be
successful, peacekeeping opera-
tions must be accompanied by
determined peacemaking efforts
using diplomatic means. Canada
places emphasis on the interrela-
tionship between these two com-
plementary concepts.
As one of the world's most ac-
tive peacekeeping -nations, Can-
ada, in the last four decades or so,
has sent troops to such far away
places as Kashmir, West New
Guinea and Yemen. its military
personnel have been associated
with such politically delicate -op-
erations as clearng the mercenar-
ies out of Katanga and securing the
territorial integrity of the former
Belgian Congo (now Zaire).
They have stood between Egyp-
tians and Israelis in the Gaza Strip
and between hostile Greek and
Turkish communal factions in
Cyprus. Canada also participated
in two truce supervisory opera-
tions in Indochina, the Interna-
tional Commission for Supervi-
sion and Control (1CSC,1954-73)
and the international Commission
for Control and Supervision
(ICCS, 1973), which were not
under the auspices of the United
Nations.
Overall, between 1947 and
1984, approximately 77,000 Ca-
nadian servicemen and service-
women participated in 16 peace
restoring, peacekeeping and truce
supervisory operations mounted
by the United Nations and in three
truce supervisory or observer m is-
sions conducted outside United
Nations auspices.
Canada's financial contribution
to the United Nations 'family' of
organizations, is yet another indi-
cation of this country's firm sup-
port for the UN system. Canada's
has contributed approximately
51.3 billion to the UN since its
inception in 1945.
' In peacekeeping alone, Canada
contributes to three regular pro-
grams of the United_ Nations, the
United Nations Force in Cyprus
(UNFiCYP), the United Nations
Disengagmcnt Observer Force
(UNDOF) and the Unitcd Nations
Interim Force for Southern Leha-
hon (UNFiL). in 1984 alone,
Canada's payments to these pro-
grams amounted to approximately
S30 million.
parr a: tar.
t:.e,
R I A
withdrawal of the Swedes. According
to Brigadeer General Maclnnis com-
mander of the Canadians the addi-
tional 30 kilometres of rural buffer -
zone Left by the Swedes is "quite a
chunk of area for responsibility."
In total, the line runs 217 kilom-
etres splitting Cyprus into two with
Canadians manning approximately
80 kilometres. The buffer zone (again
the distance between 1964 ceasefire
line) varies in width from 7 kilom-
etres where our U.N. bus had passed
through to seven metres in the old
section of Nicosia.
Canadian U.N. forces act as peace
keepers a different role than peace
negotiators. Brigader General
MacInnis further states that Canadi-
ans are "not envolved in political
solutions" simply maintaining
"good relations with both sides"
but separately.
For instance, the ceasefire was
negotiated with each side separately
- not a three party solution. Thus a
buffer zone is the space between two
opposing ideals of where the
ceasefire line exists - a political
margin.
Also under the U.N. mandate, the
Canadian contingent strives for
maintenance and restoration of law
and order and restoration of normal
conditions. Further, humanitarian
services include transfer of isolated
people across the line, shared sew-
age; electrical, and water services,
and hospital treatment for special
cases.
The Canadian contingent is di-
vided into two line companies. First,
Nicosia/city and second, the o It-
skirts/rural (filled by Canadians f-
ter the Swedish withdrawal) are tv o
very different organizations. In fact,
neither group of soldiers are trans-
ferable.
The city's buffer zone being so
narrow allows many violations to
occur. Over 70 percent of the line
incidents in all of Cyprus occur in
the city (the tallest area of the
Cyprus line) and almost all arc
handled on the line soldier to soldier.
As commanding officer of the 5th
Artillery Battalion Lt. Col. Bernier
explains the men are trained to make
"the right decision and do it well."
The opposing sides as professional
soldiers Bernier says "respect Cana-
dians as a nation avd what we do on
the line." The Lt. Col. adds that his
officers and men like the assignment
because they "live with the men and
do what they were trained to do" as
soldiers.
The high frequency �f violations in
Nicosia from bad to worst include
firstly shouting- and next forward
movement, then construction or addi-
tions to the barriers, and finally re-
striction of U.N. movement within
the buffer -zone.
Ideally, and happily in rimicases,
the problems are dealt in the lowest
possible manner - again soldier to
soldier, In reality Cyprus stands as a
gteat training experience for the aver-
age Canadian soldier aged 18 to 21
years old.
Overall Brigadeer General MacIn-
nis sees the job as to "maintain the
integrity of the buffer -zone" which
obviously is "not a stable identity".`
This important status quo is responsi-
bly handled by our soldiers.
The rural contingent of Canadian
personnel are the only force on Cy-
prus to actually live in the buffer -
zone. That's not the only difference
between city and rural forces.
Turks and Greeks have for genera-
tions farmed plots in the rural buffer -
zone, area. The Canadian issue and
glimpses
In recorded history Cyprus was first occupied by the Egyptians in 1,450
B.C. after which it was ruled by Assyrians, Persians, Ptolemies, Romans,
Byzantines, Isaac Commenus (the self-styled "Emperor"), Richard I of
England; Templars, Lusigans and Venetians respectively; up to 1-571.----
In that year the Turks captured the Island. It was a Turkish province until
1878. In that year began the British occupation, which continued entil
1960, when the Island became a Republic.
The outstanding event during the early Roman period (58 B.C. - 395
A.D.) and later under Byzantine rule (395-1191 A.D.) was the establish-
ment and growth of Christianity in Cyprus. Many monasteries and dozens
of beautifully frescoed mountain churches, each a gem (built during the late
Byzantine period), survive today.
In 1191 the Anglo-Norman crusading fleet led by Richard 1 of England
started for the Levant. Near Cyprus they met a terrible storm and were
shipwrecked at Amathus. The ruler of Cyprus, Isaac Comnenus, calling
himself emperor, not only refused the Crusaders any kind of help but ill-
treated them. At this ill-treatment, Richard waged war against Isaac,
entered Amathus subsequently advancing all over the island.
Realizing the need of men-at-arms in the Holy Land and the great amount
of money needed, Richard sold the Island for L100,000 to the Order of the
Knights Templar and left Cyprus with retinue and fighters.
TheTempiars grew powerful as a strong Latin organization in the Levant
and held Cyprus chiefly as a source of revenue. The Cypriots plowed to fight
against the Templars because they used terrible harshness on them.
In 1192 King Richard eventually transferred Cyprus to Guy de Luisgnan,
the ex -King of Jerusalem. The reign of the Lusignans (1192-1489) is
considered the Golden Age of Mediaeval Cyprus. During this dynasty
Cyprus became a typical feudal kingdom in all its aspects. Today the
cathedrals and the castles still stand as examples of inediaeval architecture.
Unfortunately, with the dawn of the 15th century the Lusignan power
began to wane. A ridiculous event marked the swing of the pendulum.
During the coronation of King Pierre II, 1472 A.D., a serious riot broke out
at Famagusta. As was the custom, a Genoese representative had the
privilege of holding the reins of the King's horse on the right side.
At this particular time the Venetian representative tried to seize the reins
on the right hand instead of on the left. The riot ended in massacre, sacking
and pillaging. Genoa then had her revenge on her enemies and held
Famagusta till 1472. The Venetians, however, afterwards occupied the
whole of Cyprus (1489-1571).
The Venetians neglected everything. They imposed heavy taxes on the
people and cared only for the construction of strong military fortifications
such as those around Nicosia and Famagusta.
Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello" is related to the Venetian occupation of
Cyprus.
In 1570 Sultan Selim II of Turkey decided to bring Cyprus under Turkish
rule. The Turks completed their capture of the Island in 1571 after a bloody
fight at Famagusta. The defence of the town by Mac Anionic' Bragadino
was heroic. At the end of the siege the rats were the only provisions left. The
Venetians surrendered the_ town with flags still flying.
With the Treaty of San Stefano, 1878, hostilities between Russia and
Turkey came to an end. The Russian claims upon Turkcy aroused the
opposition of Great Britain and reacted in favour of Turkey.
As a result a convention was signed in Istanbul the same year. It stated
that the Sultan permitted Cyprus to be administered by Great Britain. In
1925 the Island became a Crown Colony of the British Empire.
The draft Constitution for the proposed Independent Republic of Cyprus
was formally signed in Nicosia on April 6th, 1960, by the Greek, Turkish,
Greek -Cypriot, Turkish Cyriot delegates and by the Swiss adviser to the
Constitutional Commission.
Communal strife broke out in December, 1983, following., proposals by
Makarios to make changes in the constitution which the Turkish minority
felt would reduce their rights.
The UN Security Council approved Mar. 4, 1964, a resolution providing
for an international peace -keeping force and UN troops stations that spring.
The Cypriot National Guard, led by officers from the Army of Greece,
seized the government July 15, 1974, and named Mikos Sampson, an
advocate of union with Greece, president. On July 20, Turkey invaded the
island; Greece mobilized its forces but did not intervene.
A cease-fire was arranged July 22. On the 23rd, Sampson turned over the
presidency to Glafkos Clerides (on the same day Greece's military junta
resigned). A pcace conference collapsed Aug. 14; fighting resumed. Greek
Cypriots and Turks charged each other with massacres and atriocities. By
Aug. 16 Turkish forces had occupied the NE 40% of the island, despite the
presence of UN peace forces.
Turkish Cypriots voted overwhelmingly June 8, 1975, to form a separate
Turkish Cypriot federated state. A president and assembly were elected in
1976. Some 200,000 refugees had left the Turkish -controlled arca replaced
by thousands of Turks from the mainland.
police passes for farmers in add:tion
to manning and actually living in
close to 141 O.P.'s. Sixty of the
O.P.'s are considered parttime only
to be used in a time of increased
tensions. Still, major responsibilities
run thin on a long line.
Life at the O.P. is not where the
action is militarily or otherwise. Like
shift workers, small detachments
work the O.P. sharing cooking and
sanitary duties, rest and observa-
tions. One simple additional sand
bag or new oil drum can roll into a
major confrontation so the profes-
sionalism of. the Canadian corps
must overide the boredom of routine
procedures.
Conflicts can heatup on a fast
burner in Cyprus. In one incident, a
Turkish platoon moved into !1v
buffer -zone and cut down a number
of trees. Twenty soldiers were con-
fronted by two Canadian U.N.
members who calmed the situation
down as their sergeant approached.
Decisions were made and acted upon
from soldier to soldier - and happily
the right decisions.
The Canadian soldiers plopped
into the Cyprus hot -bed must imme-
diately appreciate the Middle East
"manana" or 'it'll be done tomor-
row' mentality versus the western
"do it today" philosophy. Life is
different on Cyprus where our sol-
diers arc faced with two opposing
groups ready to kill. Due to the pro-
fessionalism of our soldiers the
status quo in Cyprus is being main-
tained at this moment.
1 walked the line
It was the highlight of our UN t&tr before we even left Canada; to walk
the line in the old section of Cyprus. G►cck Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots
arc separated by a mere 7 metres in the winding section of this ancient city.
Our escort officer Lieutenant Tousignant explained emphatically that
absolutely no pictures would be allowed or cameras displayed unless he
directly gave permission. Tension builds high on the line with opposing
factions faced off eyeball to eyeball; pictures let alone cameras could create
an international incident.
Our escort convoy bf one jeep and two mini vans wove through the Greek
section then suddenly the stately buildings appeared in disrepair; the
streetscape tightened. We were approaching the line.
Our small convoy pulled to a stop in a blind block on thc line. This is the
only section on the line where neither Greek OR. or Turkish O.P. can see
the line. This is the only location where pictures arc allowed. Lieutenant
Tousignant seemed delighted in pointing out the booby traps located in
many of the delapitated buildings.
From here, our group walked for a few blocks along the line within
"reaching distance" of both Greek and Turkish O.P.'s. Our presence
created a scurry of activity at thc O.P.'s. Basically, the factional soldiers
wonddred "Who the heck we were". Still, unarmed Canadian journalists
treated the sorry with nervous intent
One part of our group became stragglers only to have the Turks shout
what we think were insults at them; a small taste of friction on the line.
In most parts of the world the old city of Nicosia would be a tourist
attraction filled with boutiques and markets. Today this ruinous section of
Nicosia stands as a reminder to the waste of war.
1