United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus Summer Medal Parade

In the service of peace

The Chief of Mission Mr. Taye-Brook Zerihoun and the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Mario Sanchez D. welcomes you to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus Summer Medal Parade, held at the United Nations Protected Area, Nicosia. Nicosia International Airport

The Force Commander, Rear Admiral Mario Sanchez D.

Address of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Chief of Mission- Mr. Tayé-Brook Zerihoun at the UNFICYP Medal Parade.
Invited guests, peacekeepers, colleagues and friends:
Welcome to the UNFICYP integrated medal parade. It is always a great pleasure and privilege to be in the presence of men and women in uniform serving in UNFICYP as they receive the recognition earned in the form of the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal. You, today’s honorees, carry forward the proud legacy of peacekeepers from around the world who have helped to maintain peace and stability on this island for 45 years under the United Nations flag.

The relative peace and stability you help bring about makes it possible for the parties to try to reach a negotiated settlement that would end the division of Cyprus. That is the ultimate objective of the United Nations presence in Cyprus, and helping Cypriots achieve it occupies much of our time and effort. Often overlooked are the many other daily tasks of our peacekeepers, from contributing to efforts to rid Cyprus of landmines, to assisting people from all communities with day-to-day challenges arising from the division of the island. This can include delivering textbooks, facilitating medical evacuations and smoothing the way for commemorative, religious or socio-cultural gatherings.

This work is frequently unheralded but no less essential in bringing closer the day when all Cypriots share their island under peaceful and stable conditions. Of course, the question on most people’s minds remains: When will that day come? The implied impatience in the question is understandable. The United Nations has been on the island for four decades, and has through the years been a witness to and part of many unsuccessful attempts to help resolve the Cyprus problem. One of the most important things we have learned happens to be also the most obvious: The solution has to, and will, come from Cypriots themselves. Clichéd as this may now sound – a solution for Cypriots, by Cypriots – it is nonetheless the one we will continue to adhere to in facilitating the ongoing peace process. The Secretary-General has reiterated that the support of the United Nations for the process is unwavering and that the Organization will give the parties as much or as little assistance as they jointly request. It will not seek to impose a solution in Cyprus because that will not be possible and also because it will be a recipe for failure.

Obviously, owning the process carries with it an onerous responsibility, and one which the Cypriot leaders have courageously assumed to lead and negotiate in this process. Their leadership embodies a desire on the part of the communities on the island to do their utmost to find a compromise that will bring Cypriots together. And compromise remains key to success in this as in all other negotiations. No one side can get everything it wants, nor should it.

Successful negotiation requires not only the ability but also the desire to understand the concerns of the other side, its fears and its hopes as well as creating the best possible situation for everyone. All sides will have to accept circumstances or conditions that may be painful, in the beginning. And that is where wisdom and leadership come in. I believe the Cyprus leaders are persevering in this often difficult process because they understand the tremendous benefits in store for the country and the region if their efforts succeed. Of course, we are not there yet. The leaders will need to continue to demonstrate the vision and admirable energy and flexibility that has brought them this far. There will surely be more difficult challenges ahead. Some of these challenges will probably be portrayed as crises.

What is important is for the problems to be overcome with an eye to the future and in a manner that will elicit compromise from all sides, and in which everyone wins. However daunting the challenge, Cypriots can continue to count on the strong support of the international community in their determination and effort to reach a negotiated political solution to the division of their island.

Cypriots will continue to see a concrete manifestation of international support in the work that our peacekeepers who strive to ensure that stability and calm remain the norm in the buffer zone and that day-to-day life for all Cypriots is as normal as possible. I pay tribute to you, our peacekeepers, as you carry on the tradition of impartiality, tolerance, patience and professionalism that characterized also the service many of your predecessors have rendered here in Cyprus during the last four decades.It is a pleasure for me to award you the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal in the name of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. I congratulate you, and thank you for a job well done.

Since the establishment in 1964, the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has been: “In the interest of preserving 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 initially consisted of military contingents from Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, totaling approximately 6000 personnel. Since, then, here have been changes to the Troop Contributing Countries and reductions in the Force have brought the current number of Military Peacekeepers in Cyprus to 857.

In addition to the nationalities within the three main contingents, there are also military representatives from Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Hungary, Peru and Paraguay.

The United Nations Force in Cyprus Medal was introduced in 1964 for a minimum of 90 days duty in Cyprus. In the interest of regional peace and security, the United Nation’s Cyprus Mission was established in March 1964 to prevent the recurrence of fighting between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots and, as necessary, to help in maintaining law and order. Since 1974, the mandate has also included supervising the ceasefire and maintaining a buffer zone between the lines of Cyprus National Guard and of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces.

The bronze medal has a wreathed globe emblem with the letters of UN mounted above it. On the reverse is the inscription “In the Service of Peace”.

The medal ribbon has three equal bars, one of white in the centre and two of United Nations blue at either end; the bars are separated by two narrow bands of dark blue symbolizing the Mediterranean Sea.

The medal has been awarded for various supervisory of observation roles with the United Nations Force in Cyprus since March 1964 onwards.

For subsequent tours over the initial qualifying 90 days, a silver numeral is affixed to the ribbon.

To date 173773 Medals have been awarded since the start of the mission.

The following countries have provided troops to this Mission: Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, India, Ireland, the Kingdom of Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the following countries provide civilian policemen: Australia, Austria, Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden.
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/medals/unficyp.htm

The Argentinean Contingent. The presence of the Argentine Contingent in Cyprus began in 1993 when, after a resolution submitted by the United Nations Security Council, it was decided that UNFICYP would be restructured into 3 Battalions of 350 men each, in order to fulfill its mission on the island.

The British Contingent. The British Contingent has provided a significant contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus since 1964.

The Slovak/Hungarian Contingent. The Slovak/Hungarian Contingent has been in the service of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus since 2001.

The Ambassador to Cyprus her Excellency Mrs. Anna Turenicova.

Address by the Force Commander UNFICYP

Chief of Mission and Special Representative of the Secretary General, your Excellencies, distinguished guests, contingent and unit commanders, members of the contingents represented here this evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is my great honour, as commander of the military component of UNFICYP to bring this medal parade to a close. Thank you for finding the time in your busy schedules to be present here today and share with our soldiers their special day, the day when the United Nations recognizes their individual and collective contribution to peace on this island.

This evening event has been superbly staged to the great credit of all those involved in the transformation of this runway on old Nicosia international airport. I would like to thank in particular the Mobile Force Reserve and HQ staff who organised the event. I am sure that all the peacekeepers on parade this evening will never forget the honour of receiving their UN medal here. As I stand here, I can reflect on my first year here in UNFICYP. We have been extremely busy and political events and many other developments have marked a new era for Cyprus and our Mission.

We have been pleased to support the opening of the crossing point along Ledra street and continue to monitor the buffer zone closely in that area. Additionally, since September 2008, we have been able to support the substantive talks between the two leaders with diligent military operations to provide the necessary security cover. Meanwhile, operations in the buffer zone have continued at a high tempo, with minor tactical occurrences that require our close attention to avoid the escalation to the political level that could have a direct impact on the peace process aimed at finding a lasting solution. Looking ahead, I believe that it will be a very interesting and challenging time for the mission and we must be even more diligent in our efforts to enable a just and lasting political solution to be found.

These will be testing times and we, as the military component, must not be found wanting.
But, as I always say, the military component is not alone in this mission. We are part of this team called UNFICYP. As head of the military component, I would like to thank the Chief of Mission, the civilian element and the UN police of UNFICYP for the support and assistance that they continue to offer us. And to Mr. Alexander Downer, the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General and all his staff in the Good Offices for their continued efforts in facilitating a solution to the Cyprus problem.

We have a lot of work to do and I know that with our commitment professionalism and encourage, hopefully, the vision of a reunited Cyprus could soon become reality. Now, most importantly, I would like to thank you the peacekeepers on parade this evening. Without your continued efforts in ensuring a peaceful and trouble free buffer zone, none of this progress would have been possible. A peacekeeping tour such as this means many months away from home, families and loved ones. It means enduring the heat of summer, endless miles and long hours by day and night of patrolling and in observation posts, and constant days of unseen hard work by engineers, maintainers, chefs, clerks and logistics.

Thank you for your hard work and determination during this busy period. Your vigilance continues to ensure that the mandate of the United Nations here in Cyprus is being effectively implemented and that the political negotiations to a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem are fully supported. You have set the highest standards, and have delivered excellent results. Without exception you have acted with courage with skill but also with great compassion. This is testimony to your personal resolve and the training your have received both, prior to your deployment, and since your arrival here.

Let me also pay tribute to the men and women who laid down their lives in this land, far from their own, in the service of peace. They are all in our daily prays. The ceremony this evening is not a mere routine event but serves to recognise your hard work and commitment. The medal that you proudly wear on your uniform is thoroughly deserved. I congratulate each and every one of you for your turnout this evening but also for a job well done throughout your tour of duty with UNFICYP.

I am very proud of you and of been your commander.To conclude, some of you may already know that in the navies all around the world we have, according to the naval international code, a signal which means “WELL DONE” and that is used when a Unit has completed in an outstanding way a mission, task or exercise; This signal is sent by flag hoist or radio communication. This signal also has happened to be part of the navies spoken and written vocabulary. So, let me, in virtue to the excellent work carried out by all of you in Cyprus, to salute you with this naval signal:
“BRAVO ZULU”: WELL DONE
Hvala
Yiaqien
Cósonom
Thank you
Muchas gracias
Τελετή απονομής μεταλλίων σε μέλη της Ειρηνευτικής Δύναμης του ΟΗΕ στην Κύπρο (ΟΥΝΦΙΚΥΠ), που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο αεροδρόμιο Λευκωσίας το οποίο δεν χρησιμοποιείται από το 1974.

Ο Ειδικός Αντιπρόσωπος του ΓΓ του ΟΗΕ στην Κύπρο, Ταγιέ-Μπρουκ Ζεριχούν μαζί με τον Αρχηγό της Ειρηνευτικής Δύναμης στην Κύπρο Υποναύαρχο Μάριο Σάντζες από το Περού.

Η Πρέσβειρα της Σλοβακίας στην Κύπρο Δρ Άννα Τουρενίκοβα.

Η Ειρηνευτική Δύναμη των Ηνωμένων Εθνών στην Κύπρο (ΟΥΝΦΙΚΥΠ) δημιουργήθηκε με τη συγκατάθεση της Κυβέρνησης της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας στις 27 Μαρτίου 1964. Η δημιουργία της Δύναμης έγινε με εντολή του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας των Ηνωμένων Εθνών στο ψήφισμα που εγκρίθηκε στις 4 Μαρτίου 1964 [186, (1964)] μετά το ξέσπασμα των διακοινοτικών συγκρούσεων στη νήσο και την απειλή άμεσης επέμβασης από την Τουρκία.

Από της εγκαθιδρύσεώς της, η Δύναμη έχει επιτελέσει ειρηνευτικά καθήκοντα, πράγμα το οποίο είναι ουσιώδες συστατικό της ειρηνευτικής προσπάθειας, που τα Ηνωμένα Έθνη έχουν εμπιστευθεί στον Γενικό Γραμματέα.

Σύμφωνα με τους όρους εντολής της Δύναμης, οι οποίοι παρατίθενται στο ψήφισμα 186 (1964) του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας και στα μετέπειτα ψηφίσματα του Συμβουλίου σχετικά με την Κύπρο, τα κύρια καθήκοντα της ΟΥΝΦΙΚΥΠ προς το συμφέρον της διατήρησης της διεθνούς ειρήνης και ασφάλειας, μπορούν να συνοψιστούν ως εξής:
Αποτροπή επανάληψης των συγκρούσεων-διατήρηση της κατάπαυσης του πυρός. Στο τέλος της τουρκικής εισβολής του 1974 και της κατοχής του 36.4% του εδάφους της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας, οι όροι εντολής της Δύναμης προσαρμόστηκαν στη νέα κατάσταση. Η πιο σημαντική αλλαγή ήταν η υιοθέτηση μιας νέας επιχειρησιακής προσέγγισης, εκείνης της νεκρής ζώνης, η οποία χρησιμοποιήθηκε ως περιγραφή της περιοχής μεταξύ των δύο γραμμών κατάπαυσης του πυρός.
Συμβολή στη διατήρηση και επαναφορά του νόμου και της τάξης ως χρειαστεί.
Συμβολή στην επιστροφή ομαλών συνθηκών.
Ανθρωπιστικά καθήκοντα. (Λαμβάνοντας μέτρα για την ανακούφιση και ευημερία των προσφύγων και παρέχοντας βοήθεια στους εγκλωβισμένους των κατεχομένων περιοχών).

Αυτή τη στιγμή η ΟΥΝΦΙΚΥΠ περιλαμβάνει 857 στρατιώτες, Ο Γενικός Γραμματέας των ΗΕ υποβάλλει περιοδική εξαμηνιαία έκθεση προς το Συμβούλιο Ασφάλειας των Ηνωμένων Εθνών για την Ειρηνευτική Επιχείρηση των Ηνωμένων Εθνών στην Κύπρο. Για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες παρακαλείσθε όπως ακολουθήσετε το σύνδεσμο: http://www.unficyp.org/

Η απονομή του μεταλλίου της Ειρηνευτικής Δύναμης των Ηνωμένων Εθνών στην Κύπρο εισήχθη το 1964 για όσους υπηρέτησαν, τουλάχιστον 90 ημέρες το καθήκον του στην Κύπρο.

Το χάλκινο μετάλλιο παριστάνει τον πλανήτη μας τυλιγμένο με τα γράμματα την Η.Ε. Στην πίσω πλευρά υπάρχει η επιγραφή «Στην υπηρεσία της ειρήνης». Η ταινία που κρέμεται το μετάλλιο έχει τρεις ίσες λωρίδες, μία λευκή στο κέντρο και δύο μπλε σε κάθε άκρο, το χρώμα των Ηνωμένων Εθνών. Οι λωρίδες χωρίζονται από δύο στενές γραμμές σκούρου μπλε συμβολίζοντας τη θάλασσα της Μεσογείου.

Το μετάλλιο έχει απονεμηθεί για διάφορες αποστολές παρατήρησης κε επίβλεψης με τη δύναμη των Ηνωμένων Εθνών στην Κύπρο από το Μάρτιο του 1964 και μετά. Για τις επόμενες περιηγήσεις κατά την αρχική τυγχάνουν 90 ημέρες, ένα ασημένιο ψηφίο είναι κολλημένες στην κορδέλα. Μέχρι σήμερα 173.773 μετάλλια έχουν απονεμηθεί από την έναρξη της αποστολής.

Φωκάς και Λιάνα Σωφρονίου ύστερα από χρόνια στο καταστρεμμένο διεθνές αεροδρόμιο της Λευκωσίας.

Φοίβος Νικολαΐδης (αιστερά) Μαριέλα Σάντζες, Μάριο Σάντζες Λιάνα και Φωκάς Σωφρονίου.

Μάριο Σάντζες με τους Φωκά και Λιάνα Σωφρονίου μετά το πέρας της τελετής.

Our friends Karina and Ricardi Beldi from Argentina.

Nicosia International Airport