In ethnically split Cyprus, buffer zone tensions persist after decades, a UN official says
Nicosia, Cyprus — Decades after Cyprus’ ethnic division, tensions persist along the 180-kilometer buffer zone separating breakaway Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriots in the internationally recognized south, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping force said at the island Monday.
Colin Stewart told a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the force’s deployment that peacekeepers record “hundreds of incidents” every month and “work hard to de-escalate tensions before they spiral out of control.”
He said the nature of military violations had become more sophisticated and dangerous, citing the installation of “advanced surveillance equipment and major new military infrastructure.”
“Recent years have also seen a growing challenge to the status quo of the ceasefire lines, the integrity of the buffer zone and to UN-imposed authority,” Stewart said.
In August last year, angry Turkish Cypriots punched and kicked a group of UN peacekeepers who were obstructing crews working on the road that would bypass a checkpoint on the northern edge of a British military base, one of two bases Britain retained after Cyprus became independent. of British colonial rule in 1960.
An agreement that the two sides apparently reached on the controversial route remains in limbo.
The peacekeeping force was originally deployed in March 1964 to quell armed violence between the majority of Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriot minority. However, Cyprus’s ethnic divisions deepened a decade later when Turkey invaded in the immediate aftermath of a coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece.
Since 1964, more than 150,000 peacekeepers from 43 countries have served with UNFICYP – one of the longest-running UN missions – with 187 soldiers and staff losing their lives during their mission.
Soldiers currently serving in the force received medals at the ceremony attended by approximately 80 veterans from previous deployments dating back to 1964, representing seven of the troop and police contributing countries, including Austria, Sweden and Argentina.
María Ángela Holguín Cuellar, the UN chief’s new personal envoy to Cyprus, is currently leading an effort to determine whether dormant peace talks can be revived, almost seven years after the most recent attempt at a settlement failed.
Stewart said Cypriots themselves and the international community should “spare no effort” to support a return to talks.
“Because we just don’t know if there will be another opportunity if we miss this current opportunity,” he said. “We cannot afford to celebrate any more anniversaries like this.”