Cyprus peace talksCyprus peace talksgather momentumgather momentum

Talks to reunify the island are atthe half-year mark now, withleaders from both sides wrap-

ping up their initial discussion of thequestion of property after havinglooked at how a post-settlement Cyp-rus should be governed. The othermajor issues to be tackled are theeconomy, territory and security.

Broadly speaking, during this firststage, the two sides are expected tocontinue to determine what aspectsof each question they agree on, whatmatters are still open, and what theydisagree on. They will then move tothe actual bargaining. The talks arenot time bound, although everyoneagrees that the process should not beallowed to drag on.

Giving his assessment of the talks, which are beingfacilitated by an integrated UN team (see box) and heldin the UN Protected Area housing UNFICYP and differentUN institutions, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote inhis latest report to the Security Council on Cyprus that,“on the whole, negotiations are moving ahead well, withboth parties presenting their respective positions andengaging with each other in a constructive and openmanner”.

The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus,speaking after a session between the two leaders on 16January, echoed that sentiment.

“I remain of the view, as I’ve said for quite some timenow, that there is a real possibility of reaching a settle-ment here”, said Alexander Downer. “It’s an incrediblydifficult task. Nobody should underestimate how hard itis, after so many years and such deep conflict to puttogether an agreement, but days like today just help toconfirm the view that I’ve expressed on many occasions,that I am cautiously optimistic”, he added.

A comprehensive settlement, a goal that has eludedthe island for decades, would be put to the two commu-nities for final approval in separate referenda.

32

THE BLUE BERETPublished monthly by the:

Public Information OfficeUnited Nations Force in CyprusHQ UNFICYPPO Box 216421590 NicosiaCyprus

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

blueberetcyprus@hotmail.comWebsite:www.unficyp.org

Editorial Team

José DiazMiriam TaylorNetha KreouzosSSgt. Andrej Milovčík (Photographer)Capt. Tomas Pavlik

Unit Press Officers

Sector 1 Maj. Julian Gonzalez Sector 2 Maj. Susan AitkenSector 4 Capt. Marian FilipMFR Lt. Jonathan FranklingUNPOL Garda John KennedyUN Flt Lt. Juan FernandezFMPU Maj. Robert Schütz

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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Front Cover: Cyprus peace talksgather momentum

Back Cover: Santa visits Pyla

ContentsEditorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Peace talks tackle power-sharing and property questions . .3Breaking the taboo of AIDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5-6“Circle of Love” unites Nicosia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Santa spreads cheer in Pyla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-92008 – Year in review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11-12The price of reunification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Students of the region hold model UN . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14UNFICYP’s Christmas Carol Service /

Christmas dinner in Sector 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Demetris Christofias visits the CMP / UK’s citizen soldiers .16Farewell / Sport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18New faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Editorial

Julieanne Whitley, 11-year-old daughter of staffmember Brett Whitley, won the Public Infor-mation Office’s seasons greetings card competi-tion with her design shown above. The designwas unanimously voted on as the most creativeand original work submitted.

Julieanne has been presented with a gift packwith the compliments of the PIO.

Well done Julieanne!December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret

Mehmet Ali Talat (left) and Demetris Christofias

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The new year has started on a hopeful note inCyprus. The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and TurkishCypriot communities have, despite some ups anddowns, continued direct talks aimed at reaching acomprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.Things have come a long way since this time last year,when the peace process was still stalemated andfrustration was growing in Cyprus and in the inter-national community over the lack of progress.

Things changed dramatically in early March whenthe leaders kick-started the latest effort to bringpeace to the island. As of this writing, DemetrisChristofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, and their teams,have finished preliminary negotiations on how powermight be shared in a future united Cyprus and movedon to the issue of how to resolve the problem ofproperties left behind when people were displaced,following the events of 1974.

Undeniably, then, progress has been made. Justas evident, though, is the fact that much moreremains to be done. The most contentious and emo-tive issues are yet to be agreed on. As the SpecialRepresentative of the Secretary-General recently toldpeacekeepers receiving their UN service medals aftertheir tour of duty in Cyprus, it is perhaps on thoseissues the two sides will be faced with the inevitabletrade-offs and historic compromises they will need tomake in order to reach a settlement. Tough as thesechoices and decisions will be, he said, it is essential tokeep in mind that the peace process is not a zero-sumgame; one side’s gain is not necessarily the otherside’s loss.

A just settlement will help unshackle the tremen-dous potential and capacity of this beautiful island andmake it a stronger and more prosperous home for allits citizens. There is indeed good reason to strive forthe larger good, to look beyond the past, to the com-mon and promising future that awaits all Cypriots.

The current effort to reach a just settlement inCyprus benefits, as have other peace initiatives overthe years, from the assistance of the United Nations.But the ongoing peace process differs from previousefforts in one important way. In contrast to theseparation that once existed between its peace-keepers on the island and its political mission, theongoing negotiations are part of an integrated pushthat brings together UNFICYP and the Secretary-General’s good offices mission. This approach aimsto make the most of the experience and resources ofthe Organisation on the island, combined with a re-newed commitment of support from the Secretary-General.

What this means in practice is that the substan-tive pillars of UNFICYP – civil affairs, military, civilianpolice – are supporting the Good Offices effortsthrough the provision of expertise and institutionalknowledge, in particular by assisting the parties indevising and implementing confidence-buildingmeasures. UNFICYP is also providing support in theareas of public information, administration andinfrastructure. The Special Representative and Chiefof Mission, Taye-Brook Zerihoun, is called upon tocoordinate expertise from the United Nationscountry team, including the Committee on MissingPersons in Cyprus, in a common effort to maintainan environment conducive to the talks. Mr. Zerihounalso serves as the Secretary-General’s Deputy Spe-cial Adviser on issues relating to the Good Offices.

Throughout its long history on the island,UNFICYP has played a key role in creating theconditions that make negotiations possible. Thestabilizing influence it has on the ground and thecritical support it is offering the good-offices missionwere the main reasons behind the Secretary-General’s recommendation to the Security Councillast December that it extend the mission’s mandateuntil 15 June 2009.

Peace talks tackle power-sharingand property questions

UN pools resources tohelp peace process

Leaders meet in UNPA for peace talks under UN auspices

54 December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret

Left: Rodrigo Pascal addressing UNFICYP staff duringhis briefing to them in the UNPA on World AIDS Day

Above: Netha Kreouzos, UNFICYP’s HIV/AIDS focalpoint, introducing the mission’s theme of “breakingthe taboos and living positively with HIV” for WorldAIDS Day at the Ledra Palace Hotel

December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret

Breaking the taboo of AIDS

“Breaking the Taboos and Living Positively withHIV” was the theme of this year’s World AIDS Dayactivities at UNFICYP on 1 December 2008.

A series of events were held including a talk by UNPlus staff member Rodrigo Pascal as well as a quiz totest the general knowledge of staff on HIV/AIDS.

A bicommunal event was also held at the LedraPalace Hotel where local experts Charis Kaite andMevhibe Hocaoglu discussed the findings of research onHIV in the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot commu-nities respectively.

Both experts pointed out that people living withHIV/AIDS continue to suffer discrimination throughoutCypriot society, starting from the home, to healthprofessionals and potential employers.

Referring to the findings of a study on HIV in CyprusKaite, who is a researcher from the University’s Re-search Unit of Behavioural and Social Issues (RUBSI),said that 40 percent of HIV positive people living inCyprus were not accepted to jobs, 30 percent weresocially excluded and 30 percent were rejected byfamily members.

Kaite highlighted the prevalence of discrimination inCypriot society where once an individual’s statusbecomes known they are isolated and rejected fromsocial groups and even the medical profession has beenknown to stigmatise them.

Kaite noted that patients wanted alternatives to theonly HIV/AIDS clinic in Larnaca with more specialiseddoctors, psychological support, social benefits andsupport for employment. “Many still believe they shouldonly have a relationship with another HIV positiveperson,” she said.

Mevhibe Hocaoglu, from the Public Health, Culturaland Scientific Research Society, highlighted the prob-

lem of human rights and denial in the north. Where shesaid according to the health authorities there are onlythree types of AIDS patients: homosexuals or bisexualsand drug users and their number reportedly does notexceed 17. Hocaoglu said this number according tounofficial sources was much higher.

Hocaoglu said the authorities in the north fail totarget the “most at risk” groups: homosexuals, drugusers and sex workers. The first two are criminalized,while officially, the latter do not exist, she said.

Anti-retroviral therapy is only available to TurkishCypriots in the north, while foreigners who testedpositive on arrival, usually sex workers, are deportedimmediately, she said.

Hocaoglu said the biggest problems they face aresocial exclusion, poverty (lack of employment), fear ofstigmatisation and isolation.

Rodrigo Pascal, a UNAIDS Partnership Officer fromChile, who participated in the event on behalf of UNPlus spoke of his own struggle with stigma anddiscrimination.

Pascal, who is HIV positive, said he was arrestedseveral times in Chile when fighting for universal accessto treatment. “With the right access, HIV positivepeople can be so much more than patients. I am agrandfather of two and I never thought I would seethem after starting treatment. I take medication everyday but millions of others still do not have access totreatment.”

Pascal noted that the greatest barrier to accessremained stigma and discrimination. “It is maddeningto think that some people do not access life saving re-sources simply because they fear the consequences ofdoing so,” he said.

“This year, dozens of UN staff around the world havedied of AIDS, but emails going round saythat they died of a short or long-termillness. They never say they died of AIDS.The silence around the cause of theirdeaths is the same silence that stopscolleagues confronting the realities of HIVand accessing timely treatment that wouldhave kept them alive,” he said, addingthat it is this level of stigma that has realand devastating consequences.

Pascal noted that only when peoplespoke of HIV could they be chased fromtheir homes or barred from enteringcountries.

Apart from fighting the disease itself,many people infected with HIV also had tofight prejudice against homosexuals.

“Disclosing your status is a personal decision. I’mgay, my ex-wife and children know. But if you are blackand suffer discrimination, you go home to your blackfamily. If you are poor, and suffer discrimination, yougo back to your poor family. If you are gay, you havenowhere to go.”

In an earlier talk to UN personnel, Pascal pointedout that the 30 percent of people who are HIV positiveand are aware of their status and are taking care oftheir health with all the precautions to protect them-selves and their families cannot be held responsible ormade to feel guilty about the other 70 percent of thosewho do not know they are HIV positive or those thatare HIV negative. “It is up to those who are HIVnegative to take the responsibility for their own livesand ensure they remain HIV negative for the rest oftheir lives,” he said.

UN Plus and other positive networks around theworld, believe in the key principle of GIPA – the GreaterInvolvement of People living with HIV. It is importantthat positive people be involved, be included and bevisible in efforts to tackle HIV and AIDS.

Referring to the UN Plus calendar for 2009, Pascalsaid its theme is “Get involved in the response to HIV”.The calendar profiles positive people around the worldand in the UN and also highlight their messages on howwe can get more involved in doing more in the res-ponse to HIV.

In the words of former UNAIDS Executive Director,Dr. Peter Piot, “there are many solutions to thisepidemic – no one way is ‘The Way’. We have got to tryout different methods then until we find something thatworks at the family level, in the workplace and in ourrespective communities. I urge you to not be in-different. Don’t just stand there. Get involved.”

Netha Kreouzos

The number of people living with HIV is continuing to rise in every part of the world.Despite enormous efforts towards prevention and great progress in treatment, thereare now estimated to be 33 million people living with HIV worldwide. A big part of theproblem is that people who are HIV-positive or living with AIDS are oftendiscriminated against or marginalized. This in turns hampers both attempts to preventinfection and the care given to those affected.

The recent World Aids Day, marked on 1 December 2008, took direct aim atdiscrimination and exclusion.

UNAIDS’ Global summary of the AIDS epi-demic of 2007 estimates there are approxi-mately 33 million people living with HIV. Ofthese, 22 million are living in sub-SaharanAfrica and 4.2 million in South and South-east Asia. HIV is also present in all parts ofthe world, often within specific populationgroups or communities. And the rates ofnew infection means that HIV preventionremains a priority for all of us involved inAIDS, whether we are positive or negative.

Nevhibe Hocaoglu (below left) and Charis Kaite duringthe HIV/AIDS panel discussion in the evening of1 December

HIV/AIDS briefing in the UNPA on World AIDSDay, 1 December

6 7December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret

Hundreds of Greek and TurkishCypriot schoolchildren heldtorches along the medieval

Venetian walls of Nicosia on theevening of 9 January 2009 to form aCircle of Love around the dividedcapital of Cyprus. The event, initi-ated by the first ladies of the twocommunities, was held to raisemoney for disabled children andbring together the younger genera-tions of Greek Cypriots and TurkishCypriots

Elsi Christofias, wife of GreekCypriot leader Demetris Christofias,said in her speech that the studentswith their torches not only illumin-ated Nicosia, but also gave hope fora better life for children with specialneeds.

Oya Talat, wife of Turkish Cypriotleader Mehmet Ali Talat, expressedher hope that a bond of love couldbe created between the two sides.

A total of 2,000 children aged10-15, together with their teachers,parents and other volunteers, cir-cled the city illuminating the historicwalls with their torches. Around 500pupils, teachers and parents were inthe buffer zone area in front ofLedra Palace Hotel during the eventwhich included a bicommunal cul-tural programme held on a speciallyset up stage where traditional songsand dances of both communitieswere performed by groups fromboth sides.

The Sector 2 Civil Affairs teamcomprising police and military fromthe Ledra Palace facilitated theevent by providing guidance to theorganisers to guarantee a safe en-vironment for the concert to beconducted, ensuring compliance

with UNFICYP conditions on the useof the buffer zone. This included thenecessity to provide such facilitiessuch as lighting, portable toilets,seating and staging equipment. Italso included the provision of am-bulance/medical facilities, marsh-alling, clearing of the area after theevent and public liability insurance.In addition, Sector Civil Affairs Teamsand Sector Civil Affairs Military Liai-son teams located suitable positionsfor the media from both commu-nities. Sgt. Rob Duckworth, UNPOLCivil Affairs at Sector 2, said, “It wasprobably the best organised andmost colourful bicommunal eventheld in the buffer zone for manyyears. Mrs. Christofias personally

shook my hand and thanked me forall the work put in by UNFICYP,” hesaid. Four meetings had been heldprior to the event with the organ-isers from both communities, CAB,SCAT, SCAML and UNPOL to finaliseall arrangements.

Once the concert began, CivilAffairs handed the running of thesite over to UNPOL, represented byapproximately 10 police officersfrom all Sectors, with elements ofSector 2 military mingling with thecrowds for assistance.

The event, which was supportedby the two leaders, Mehmet Ali Talatand Demetris Christofias, is the firstof its kind and more are planned forthe future.

“CircleofLove”unitesNicosia

Awareness briefingsin the sectorsAwareness briefings were held in the run up to WAD

in Sector 1 (right, below) and Sector 4 (right). Withthe assistance of the Military Public Information Officer,the HIV team coordinated with the sectors asking themto organise events that we could attend – eithersporting or social activities.

On 27 November in Sector 1, home to the largelyArgentinian Contingent, soldiers learned more aboutWorld AIDS Day and remembered the 25 million whohave died to date of AIDS-related diseases. They alsoreflected on how to continue and intensify efforts toprevent the spread of HIV as well as show solidarityand support to the 33 million currently living with HIVaround the world.

In line with the day’s theme, the work of UN Pluswas highlighted, as well as the need to acknowledgepeople living with HIV as productive members ofsociety.

In Sector 4, the mainly Slovakian and HungarianContingents held a table tennis competition on 29 Nov-ember. Before the start of the competition, the soldiersgathered for a briefing by the HIV Focal Point onHIV/AIDS.

Hungarian Medical Officer Dr.Zsolt Szepensvary was the

winner of the World AIDS Day quizwhich aimed at testing the know-ledge of UNFICYP staff on HIV/AIDS-related issues including thefacts and myths as well as thecurrent global situation. UNFICYPMilitary Public Information Officer

Capt. Tomas Pavlik followed in aclose second place.

A total of 57 staff membersparticipated in the quiz, 23 of whichmanaged to answer over 50percent of the questions correctly.Dr. Zsolt was presented with abook prize on the paintings ofMonet.

Two decades of vigilance2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.Since 1988, the face and response to AIDS has greatlychanged. While many of these changes are positive,this anniversary offers us an opportunity to highlighthow much more still needs to be done.For example:

Leaders in most countries from around the worldnow acknowledge the threat of AIDS, and many havecommitted to do something about it. As of 2007,nearly all countries have national policies on HIV.However, despite these policies, most have not beenfully implemented and many lack funding allocations.

While treatment for HIV and AIDS has improvedand become more widespread since 1988, many stilldo not have access to it – in 2007 only 31% of thosein low- to middle-income countries who need treat-ment received it.

Despite HIV awareness now reaching nearly allareas of the globe, infection rates are still happening2.7 times faster than the increase in number of peoplereceiving treatment.

While the number of countries protecting peopleliving with HIV continue to increase, one third ofcountries still lack legal protections and stigma anddiscrimination continues to be a major threat touniversal access.

More broadly, real action on HIV and AIDS andhuman rights remains lacking. Legal barriers to HIVservices still exist for groups such as women, adole-scents, sex workers, people who use drugs, and menhaving sex with men, and programmatic responsespromoting HIV-related human rights have yet to beprioritised.

World AIDS Day began in 1988 when healthministers from around the world met and agreed onthe concept of the day as an opportunity for all of usto come together to demonstrate the importance ofAIDS and show solidarity for the cause. In 2008, thisunderlining principle of solidarity and awarenessremains the same.

We have only two years to go for “the goal ofuniversal access to comprehensive prevention pro-grammes, treatment, care and support by 2010.”

To achieve this goal, leadership and action isneeded now. Governments must deliver on the pro-mises they have made. Communities must encourageleadership of its members. Individuals must feel em-powered to access treatment, to know their rights andtake action against stigma and discrimination, and toknow and use methods of prevention against receivingand transmitting HIV.

Elsi Christofias (at microphone) and Oya Talat (far right)

98 December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue BeretDecember 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret

Santa spreads cheer in PylaSanta Claus descended on the only mixed village in

the buffer zone on a UN helicopter on 19December, bearing gifts and treats for the Turkish

Cypriot and Greek Cypriot schoolchildren there. SantaClaus, a.k.a. Civil Affairs Military Liaison Officer JohannZach of Austria, was welcomed by dozens of Pyla schoolchildren and their families as he stepped out of thehelicopter. The event, which has been held for the last

three years, was a collaborative initiative by the CivilAffairs, UNPOL and Military components with the sup-port of UNFICYP Administration. It received generousassistance from Tözün Catering and Jumbo.

The arrival of Santa Claus was preceded by asporting event organised in conjunction with Peace-Players International, a non-governmental organisationwhose mission it is to use the game of basketball tounite and educate children and their communitiesthrough a vision of bridging divided communities.

“This is a special time of year for children to havefun together, and demonstrates peaceful co-existence,"said UNFICYP Spokesperson Jose Diaz.

Turkish Cypriot mother Havva Safak echoed Diaz’ssentiments noting that “the children are very happy tosee Santa Claus and they get all excited when hearrives”. Her children are happy playing with Greek

Cypriot children, particularly on occasions such as thisshe said, stressing that such activities are important instrengthening relations between the children of the twocommunities. “It is important to give the children theopportunity to learn about each other because that’sthe way they learn, by playing together.”

In previous years, the UN used to just drop by theschool and give the children gifts. It wasn’t as big anaffair as today, she said, noting that over the last threeyears Santa arriving via UN helicopter to give thechildren gifts has been a great success.

Greek Cypriot mother Elena Ioannou said she comesevery year to the event with her son, as it is verypositive for two communities to interact through theirchildren.

Peace Player Megan Chawansky, 32, commenting onhow the children are brought together through sportand games ,said, “I don’t speak Greek or Turkish so Ican’t tell what the children are saying. I think there isalways a little apprehension at first. I read their bodylanguage, so for me, a smile by a child towardsomebody else they didn’t know or talk to before orgiving a high five to someone says to me that they arerealizing that they are more alike than different andthat there are more things that they share than theydon’t. So we let the games do the talking.”

Chawansky, a former college basketball player andcoach in the US who is currently playing for Cypriotteam Achilleas, and who has just completed a PhD inSports sociology, said: “Sport, if used properly, can doa lot of good things. We are trying to use that here. Alot of people may not think sport is the best way toreach people, but I believe that if we talk about whywe are doing certain things with the kids and howplaying on the court can translate off the court, we canuse sport effectively. I do believe that it is a usefultool.”

The children themselves expressed their enthusiasmfor the day’s activities, the highlight for many being thearrival of Santa via UN helicopter. Petros, 11, said itwas fun playing different games and receiving giftsfrom Santa. Panayiotis, 11, said, “We had fun playingwith the Turkish Cypriots because we don’t have theopportunity to play like this at other times. My favouritegame was basketball where I learnt a lot from the[Peace] players.”

His classmate Marios, 11, agreed that the day wasfun. “I am very happy because Santa came andbrought us gifts and we made friends and playedfootball with the Turkish Cypriot children.”

Sergios, 11, said he enjoyed playing different gamesand learning new ones. “I liked meeting new children.The Turkish Cypriots are our neighbours and we areunited as one. We don’t discriminate,” he said. Spyros,11, concurred saying, “In my home, we are united withthe Turkish Cypriots. We live only 10 metres apart andplay together in the park.”

Violetta, 11, said it was one big party and that sheenjoyed meeting new children and playing together.She added that the festivities would not end here andthat, “At home at Christmas we take sweets and gifts tothe Turkish Cypriots in our neighbourhood.”

Ahmet Kuleli, 10, said he was happy with the day’sactivities and enjoyed meeting and playing with GreekCypriot children. These activities give us a betteropportunity to play with, and get to know each other.As a result of these activities we can now play with ourGreek Cypriot friends on the street. They learn Turkishwords and we learn Greek words.”

Hasan Kan, 10, said it would be nice if they hadmore such activities. “It would be better if we had suchactivities at least twice a year,” he said.

Irem Kuleli, 9, and Ayla Cagil, 8, said it was greatfun playing basketball and football with the GreekCypriot children. It was nice to have had the chance tomeet new friends and have a good time, they said.

PeacePlayers International was founded in 2001in the belief that "children who play together canlearn to live together." PeacePlayers Inter-national currently operates programmes inNorthern Ireland, South Africa, the Middle Eastand in Cyprus, helping thousands of children toform positive relationships, develop leadershipskills and improve their futures.

This is the third sporting event in Pyla organizedby Civil Affairs together with PeacePlayers Inter-national, and a regular programme of activities isbeing discussed with the two schools in Pyla. Theevent on 19 December received wide coverage byboth domestic and international media.

2008 – Year in ReviewThe year saw significant change

for the island with the politicaltalks moving into gear and the

start of a new peace push. By theend of the year, the two leaders hadmet 14 times under UN auspices tonegotiate a peace agreement whilea series of confidence-building mea-sures had been announced.

UNFICYP also saw major changesin its leadership with Tayé-BrookZerihoun taking over the helm fromMichael Møller and Maj. Gen. RafaelJosé Barni handing over commandof the 860-strong peacekeeping forceto Rear Admiral Mario SanchezDebernardi, Force Commander.

In January, Slovak and Hun-garian troops from Camp GeneralStefanik donated blood to boostsupplies for north Nicosia’s GeneralHospital where over 400 units ofblood are required monthly to treatpatients.

At the Integrated Medal Paradeon 7 February, UNFICYP head andSpecial Representative of theSecretary-General Michael Møllerpaid tribute to the “men and womenfrom different horizons united tosupport the commitment of theinternational community to peace,stability and a just settlement inCyprus”. Møller recalled that for

most of the six decades of UNpeacekeeping, there have beenpeacekeepers in Cyprus and stressedthat at this juncture, there is a needfor political will on the part of bothsides of the Cyprus problem in orderto achieve a solution.

Greek Cypriot leader DemetrisChristofias and Turkish Cypriotleader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on21 March to restart full–fledgednegotiations in the search for asolution to the Cyprus problem. Theoutcome exceeded the expectationsof most observers and includedagreement to open Ledra Street “assoon as technically possible”.

The Committee on Missing Per-sons inaugurated its Family ViewingFacility located in the United NationsProtected area on 18 March 2008.Relatives of missing persons will beable to view the remains of theirloved ones after they have beenidentified and before giving them aburial. CMP Third Member Chris-tophe Girod said, “This facility,which will see a lot of emotion beingexpressed. It provides a crucialservice for the families in theprocess of recovering their missingrelatives.”

March saw the departure ofSRSG and Chief of Mission MichaelMøller and Force Commander Maj.Gen. Rafael José Barni. Barni gavehis final salute on 4 March afterserving with the mission for twoyears, while Møller departed on 27March, having led the mission forjust over two years. During theinterim period from 30 March to 7May, Elizabeth Spehar was ActingChief of Mission and Special Repre-sentative of the Secretary-General.

Under-Secretary General for Pol-itical Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe visitedthe island from 30 March to 2 Aprilto meet with the two leaders andcivil society representatives in bothcommunities. Speaking to themedia, Pascoe said: “There is a verypositive tone here in Cyprus at themoment and a palpable sense ofmomentum. The two leaders haveset their sights on achieving a fairand lasting solution, and I thinkCypriots are right to have highexpectations. I’m encouraged and Iwill pass this on to the Secretary-General.”

Rear Admiral Mario SanchezDebernardi arrived in Cyprus on 1April to take up his command ofUNFICYP in the midst of one of the

most significant developments onthe island in the last few years – theopening of Ledra Street.

Almost 45 years after the GreenLine cut it in half, Ledra Street, inthe heart of old Nicosia, re-openedon 3 April amid the hope that itcould serve as a portent of thereunification of Cyprus. Ledra Streetbecame the sixth crossing point tobe opened since 2003. It was by farwas one of the most poignant sym-bols of the division of Cyprus. Hun-dreds of Cypriots flocked to LedraStreet to celebrate the momentousoccasion of its opening and together,step through the buffer zone, re-uniting the centre of the capital.

April also saw the start of thefive Working Groups and TechnicalCommittees whose objective it wasto pave the way for full-fledgednegotiations to begin. UNFICYP

Acting Chief Elizabeth Spehar saidthe panels were evidence of thecommitment and determination ofthe leaders of the two communitiesto reach a comprehensive settle-ment.

Tayé-Brook Zerihoun took up hispost as Special Representative ofthe Secretary-General and UNFICYPChief of Mission on 13 May 2008.

On 23 May 2008, the two leadersissued a joint statement following ameeting in the presence of SRSGTayé-Brook Zerihoun where theyreaffirmed their commitment to abizonal, bi-communal federationwith political equality, as defined byrelevant Security Council resolu-tions. They agreed that this par-tnership would have a federal gov-ernment with a single international

personality, as well as a TurkishCypriot Constituent State and aGreek Cypriot Constituent State ofequal status.

International Day of Peace-keepers, 29 May, coincided this yearwith the 60th anniversary of peace-keeping; SRSG Zerihoun markedthe day at a meeting with themedia. The UNFICYP Chief paid tri-bute to the thousands of UN peace-keepers who have served in Cyprus

over the last four decades. “Whilehistory will be the ultimate judge ofUNFICYP’s success, I believe thework of our colleagues in helping tocreate conditions that would allowthe political process to move for-ward has been commendable,” hesaid. Zerihoun also paid tribute tothe 178 peacekeepers who havedied in Cyprus in the line of duty.

“A window of opportunity forCypriots to finally resolve the Cyp-rus problem is clearly open.” Withthose words, the Secretary-Generalsummarized in his report on UN-FICYP the sentiment that has cometo prevail in Cyprus and throughoutthe international community in thelast few months. In renewingUNFICYP’s mandate for another sixmonths on 13 June, the SecurityCouncil confirmed the Secretary-General’s assessment, encouragingthe Cypriot leaders to continueworking to reach a comprehensivesettlement.

Under Secretary-General Pascoeheld a press conference at LedraPalace on 18 June where he ex-pressed his optimism that the pro-cess for negotiations on the Cyprusproblem was moving forward. “I amextremely impressed with the twoleaders. I think they are people whoare very committed to moving for-ward and to finally resolving theCyprus problem and getting a uni-fied Cyprus.”

On 23 June UNFICYP’s Informa-tion Assistant Ersin Oztoycan’s book“My (Life) File” was launched in thepresence of the island’s two firstladies, Elsi Christofias and Oya Talat,at the Ledra Palace Hotel.

His Beatitude the Archbishop ofCyprus visited the AnthropologicalLaboratory of the Committee onMissing Persons (CMP) was visitedon 4 July where he inspected thefacilities and met with members ofthe bicommunal team of scientistsworking on exhuming and analysingremains of missing individuals.

Special Representative Tayé-Brook Zerihoun opened the secondUNFICYP art exhibition on 16 July,featuring the work of local artistsIoanna Philippou and Oya Silbery.

Leaders Demetris Christofias andMehmet Ali Talat agreed on 25 Julyto launch fully-fledged negotiationson the Cyprus problem on 3 Sep-tember. In a joint statement follow-ing the meeting, the leadersdeclared that the agreed solution

will be put to separate simultaneousreferenda. They also approved afurther package of measures aimedat improving the daily life of Cyp-riots in both communities. The mea-sures involve environmental issues,cultural heritage, crisis manage-ment, crime and criminal matters.Earlier, the representatives of the

two leaders, George Iacovou andOzdil Nami, held a joint newsconference with the Special Repre-sentative to announce a first set ofmeasures agreed by the com-mittees and working groups thatprepared the groundwork for directtalks.

1110 December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret

12 13December 2008/January 2009 – The Blue BeretDecember 2008/January 2009 – The Blue Beret

The price of reunificationFor those working to help bring

about a solution to the Cyprusproblem, the benefits of a

settlement are obvious. Theseinclude removing the threat ofrenewed military confrontation onthe island, greater regional stabilityand increased trade.

What is less evident, however, ishow much a solution would cost. Ateam of Cyprus-based economistsset out to answer that very ques-tion, reaching the conclusion thatthe housing and reconstructionrequirements of a reunited Cypruscould reach €7.2 billion.

The researchers – Praxoula An-toniadou-Kyriacou, Ozlem Oguz andFiona Mullen – have published theirfindings in a new report, entitled,“The Day After II: Reconstructing aReunited Cyprus”, presented inJanuary in Nicosia.

The authors first examined fourdifferent scenarios to estimate theamount of new housing, renovationand infrastructure investment bythe public and private sectors thatwill arise as a result of a settlement.They focus their examination oninvestment that will be necessary toimplement a solution, rather thanon other, longer-term developmentgoals, such as upgrading the gen-eral infrastructure of the northernpart of Cyprus.

They conclude that essential newhousing, renovation and infrastruc-ture investment could amount to€7.2 billion over five years: €4.3billion by the public sector, and €2.9billion by the private sector.

Taking account of one or twoother variables brings the total pub-lic sector financing requirement tojust over €9 billion over five years.The authors then study a wide vari-ety of domestic and internationalsources of financing.

However, even with substantialinput from the European Union, theEuropean Investment Bank andother sources, they find a shortfallof just over €1 billion, which would

need to be filled by internationalbilateral donors.

The researchers conclude thatinvesting in the day after should notonly be seen as a cost. The con-struction boom that a solution wouldentail, together with the impact of asettlement on tourism, transport,higher education, and financial andbusiness services, would raise thereal GDP growth rate by threepercentage points in the first fiveyears, creating more than 33,000jobs.

“The Day After II” was publishedby the Cyprus Centre of the Inter-national Peace Research Institute(PRIO).

The deserted town of Varosha

Patrolling the green line

The Secretary-General’s newlyappointed Special Adviser onCyprus, Alexander Downer, visitedthe island between 27-29 July andsaid he was encouraged about

prospects for peace negotiationsfollowing his meetings with the twoleaders. “Clearly, you have twoleaders who are sincere in theircommitment and in their engage-ment to move forward togethertowards a comprehensive settle-ment, and this commitment, evi-dent through their joint statementsof their recent meetings, havedefined the parameters of a solutionand the end game, and they havegiven the process a good deal ofmomentum.”

September saw the talks moveinto full swing after the brief lull inpolitical activity in August. TheSpecial Adviser arrived on 1 Sep-tember for the formal opening ofdirect talks two days later. The first

substantive negotiations started on11 September on the subject ofgovernance and power-sharing.

After that four-hour meeting, Mr.Downer told the media that thetalks were “productive and fruitful”.By the end of the year, the leadershad held 12 meetings.

UNFICYP observed the Inter-national Day of Peace, 2 September,for a third year with a peace candlevigil ceremony at Ledra PalaceHotel. It was attended by Greekand Turkish Cypriot members of theWorld War II Veterans’ Association,members of the diplomatic commu-nity and representatives of the twocommunities on the island. In aseparate event, the two leaders andthe Special Representative joinedhands at a highly moving bicommu-nal event organised jointly by theSlovak Embassy and the island’spolitical parties to mark the Inter-national Day of Peace. Christofiassaid: “I want to reiterate my com-mitment, before the young peopleof both communities, that I amgoing to do my utmost in order tofind the common language we needwith Mehmet Ali Talat and with theassistance of the UN to reunify ourisland. For his part, Mehmet Ali Talatstated that, “Our youth want to seea united, federal Cyprus. This is ourjoint goal.”

Three members of “The Elders”visited Cyprus between 8-10 Octo-ber to lend their group support tothe UN sponsored peace talks.During their two-day visit, Arch-bishop Desmond Tutu, former USPresident Jimmy Carter and formerAlgerian Foreign Minister LakhdarBrahimi congratulated Cypriotleaders Demetris Christofias andMehmet Ali Talat for the political willthey have shown in reinvigoratingthe peace process, and encouragedthem to seize the historical momentand help bring about a lastingsettlement in Cyprus.

The village square of Troulli, oneof six inhabited villages in the bufferzone on the eastern part of theisland, was brimming with activityon 2 November where a fundraisingevent took place in aid of the pre-primary school, which badly needsa roof to adjoin two buildings,particularly ahead of the wet, wintermonths. The FMPU put on a displayof vehicles used within the missionfor this special occasion.

UNFICYP celebrated World AIDSDay on 1 December with a series ofevents, including a talk by UN Plusstaff member Rodrigo Pascal, on

“Breaking the Taboos and LivingPositively with HIV” as well as a quizto test the general knowledge ofstaff on HIV/AIDS. A bicommunalevent was also held at the LedraPalace Hotel where local expertsCharis Kaite and Mevhibe Hocaogludiscussed the findings of researchon HIV in the Greek Cypriot andTurkish Cypriot communities res-pectively.

Towards the close of 2008,UNFICYP’s Civil Affairs Branch org-anised a festive event for the child-ren of Pyla. Santa Claus descendedinto the only mixed village in thebuffer zone on a UN helicopter bear-ing gifts and treats for the TurkishCypriot and Greek Cypriot schoolchildren there on 19 December.Santa Claus, a.k.a. Civil AffairsMilitary Liaison Officer Johann Zachof Austria, was welcomed by dozensof Pyla school children and theirfamilies as he stepped out of thehelicopter.

2008 – Year in Review cont/d

You better watch outYou better watch outYou better not cryYou better not cryYou better not poutYou better not poutI’m telling you why...I’m telling you why...