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Sub-Sections:
Cyprus, Landmine Monitor Report 2007

Cyprus

State Party since

1 July 2003

Treaty implementing legislation

Adopted: 2002 (ratification legislation)

Last Article 7 report submitted in

April 2007

Article 4 (stockpile destruction)

Deadline: 1 July 2007

Completed: 1 July 2007

Article 3 (mines retained)

Initially: 1,000

At end-2006: 1,000

Contamination

Buffer zone: APMs, AVMs, UXO

Republic area: APMs; AVMs and UXO unknown

Turkish-controlled north: unknown

Estimated area of contamination

9 km2 in buffer zone; 12-14 minefields (area unquantified) in Republic-controlled areas; unknown in north controlled by Turkish forces.

Article 5 (clearance of mined areas)

Deadline: 1 July 2013

Likelihood of meeting deadline

High (for areas under Cyprus control

and buffer zone)

Demining progress in 2006

Buffer zone:

Mined area clearance: 0.3 km2 (2005: 0.17 km2)

Battle area clearance: 1.2 km2 (2005: 0.06 km2)

Area reduced or cancelled: 0.21 km2

(2005: 0.27 km2)

Outside buffer zone: Area of clearance

not reported.

MRE capacity

Adequate

Mine/ERW casualties in 2006

None

Estimated mine/ERW survivors

N/A

Mine action funding in 2006

International: $1.26 million/€1 million (additional to $5 million/€4 million 2004-June 2006 )

National: $1 million (multi-year)

Key developments since May 2006

Cyprus completed its stockpile destruction program on its 1 July 2007 deadline, destroying about 48,000 antipersonnel mines. Following EU-funded clearance under UN management, Nicosia city was declared mine-free in November 2006 after 30 years of contamination. By the end of 2006, the UN Mine Action Centre-Cyprus cleared 13 Turkish-laid minefields in the buffer zone. Outside the buffer zone Cyprus cleared two minefields in 2006. MRE was given to civilians in late 2006.

Mine Ban Policy

The Republic of Cyprus signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997, ratified it on 17 January 2003, and became a State Party on 1 July 2003. Cyprus states that domestic implementation of the treaty is achieved through the legislation adopted for ratification.[1] In addition, the “Law Concerning Explosive Materials of 2005” makes it a crime to use, produce, stockpile, import, export, sell, transfer, or transport any explosive material without being a license-holder or sanctioned.[2] The National Committee for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention and the Cyprus Mine Action Centre are responsible for implementation of treaty obligations.[3]

Cyprus submitted an Article 7 transparency report in April 2007, covering calendar year 2006.[4] It made use of the voluntary Form J to give additional information about demining. Cyprus had previously submitted three Article 7 reports.[5]

Cyprus attended the Seventh Meeting of States Parties in Geneva in September 2006 and made statements on stockpile destruction and mines retained for training.[6] Cyprus also attended the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in Geneva in May 2006 and April 2007. At the April 2007 meetings, Cyprus made a presentation on its mine clearance plans.[7] It also made a statement indicating it would meet its stockpile destruction deadline of 1 July 2007.[8]

In May 2006, Cyprus provided some details of its positions on certain matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Mine Ban Treaty in a letter to Landmine Monitor. It stated its view that the treaty prohibits foreign stockpiling and transshipment of antipersonnel mines, and “prohibits common military exercises of states parties to the Convention with the armed forces of states that have not ratified the Convention.”[9]

Cyprus is party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) and its Amended Protocol II on landmines. It attended the Eighth Annual Conference of States Parties to the protocol in November 2006 and submitted its national annual report in accordance with Article 13. Cyprus is not yet party to CCW Protocol V on explosive remnants of war.

Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Destruction

Cyprus maintains that it has never produced or exported antipersonnel mines.[10] In its initial Article 7 report Cyprus declared a total of 48,475 stockpiled antipersonnel mines before the destruction program started in December 2003.[11] The stockpile consisted of eight types or variants of mines from China, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States.[12]

   Cyprus completed its stockpile destruction program on its treaty-mandated deadline of 1 July 2007. It subsequently held an event on 10 July at the Tseri Military Testing Range to commemorate the achievement; the event was hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence and the Chief of the National Guard. Cyprus noted that its stockpile destruction “demonstrates the Government’s political will for peace and reconciliation on the island.”[13] In its 2007 Article 7 report, Cyprus stated that it destroyed 18,154 stockpiled antipersonnel mines in 2006.[14] The mines were destroyed by open detonation at the Xintous Military Testing Range at Vizakia village and at the Kalo Chorio Military Testing Range in Larnaca district.[15]

Cyprus reported that as of the end of 2006, it had a stockpile of 14,392 mines to be destroyed and 1,000 mines retained for training. The stockpile to be destroyed included 320 M2A1, 911 M16, 3,308 M16A1, and 9,853 M16A2 mines.[16] At the April 2007 Standing Committee meeting, Cyprus said that the “last remaining 6,000 stockpiled AP mines” would be destroyed by 1 July 2007, its treaty mandated four-year deadline.[17]

Mines Retained for Research and Training

Cyprus has stated that it is retaining 1,000 antipersonnel mines for training and development purposes under Article 3 of the treaty. The mines are stored at the National Guard warehouse at Palodia village near Limassol and are used by the Cyprus Mine Action Centre. The total retained is made up of 100 each of types M2A1, M2A3, M16A1 and M16A2, as well as 200 each of M16, VS 50 and GLD-112 types.[18] This number has not changed since 2003, indicating none of the mines are being consumed in training activities.

Cyprus has yet to provide details on the intended purposes and actual uses of its retained mines. In its Article 7 reports submitted in 2006 and 2007, Cyprus did not utilize the new expanded Form D on retained mines agreed by States Parties in December 2005.

Landmine and UXO Problem

Cyprus has been divided geographically and politically by a heavily mined buffer zone since 1974 when Turkish forces took control of the north of the island. Minefields were laid within and outside the buffer zone by both the Greek Cypriot National Guard and Turkish Armed Forces.[19] Contamination includes antipersonnel mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).[20] According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, there are no antivehicle mines laid on territory controlled by the Republic to the south of the buffer zone.[21]

Around nine square kilometers of suspected hazardous area remained within the buffer zone in early 2007, including 21 minefields laid by Turkish forces.[22]

In areas under the control of the Republic, 14 minefields remained outside the buffer zone, containing a total of 3,081 antipersonnel mines, according to Cyprus’ Article 7 report for 2006. The remaining minefields are located near the communities of Athienou, Dali, Geri, Lympia, Louroutzina, Potamia and Trouloi, although the total area estimated to be contaminated has not been reported.[23] It appears that demining of mined areas near Pyla village was completed in March 2006.[24]

There are also mines in areas north of the buffer zone under the control of Turkish forces.

Mine Action Program

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus is in charge of the technical aspects for the implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, with the Engineers Corps Command of the National Guard tasked with clearing emplaced minefields. An interministerial National Committee responsible for the full implementation of the treaty was established in May 2003.[25]

Cyprus has two mine action centers. The Cyprus Mine Action Centre (CYMAC), under the command of the Engineer Corps, is responsible for the implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty and CCW Amended Protocol II.[26] The Mine Action Centre in Cyprus (MAC-C), established in 2004, supports coordination between UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish Armed Forces and the European Union. MAC-C is responsible for supervising demining operations in the buffer zone. Operations in the buffer zone are said to be carried out according to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), which were developed into safety guidelines, creating a basis for standing operating procedures for contractors.[27]

MAC-C uses the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) for operations in the buffer zone, and makes data available on request. The IMSMA system was updated in February 2005 and version 4 was installed in 2006 but due to technical problems was not expected to be operational before the end of 2007.[28] MAC-C operates under the Partnership for the Future (PFF) program and is implemented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).[29]

The Republic of Cyprus follows NATO and International Mine Action Standards for mine clearance. The Ministry of Defence coordinates technical implementation of the national plan for the clearance and destruction of emplaced antipersonnel mines.[30]

Strategic Planning and Progress

The Republic’s strategic plan for fulfillment of its Article 5 obligations remains based on the National Plan, which was first issued in September 2004.[31] The plan included an annual timetable for the clearance of the 18 minefields situated in Republic-controlled areas. It also noted the seven original National Guard minefields and one other suspected hazardous area in the buffer zone, and 27 Turkish minefields in the buffer zone as well as minefields in Turkish controlled areas. However, it claimed that under the Mine Ban Treaty Turkey is responsible for clearing all mined areas in the occupied part of Cyprus as well as those laid down in the buffer zone by Turkish Armed Forces.[32]

In April 2007, the Republic of Cyprus stated that it was successfully following the timetable for areas under its control, but asserted that this is not the case in areas that are not under its control.[33]

Demining

Demining of eight National Guard minefields within the buffer zone started in November 2004. In the buffer zone, MAC-C manages demining with two demining operators: ArmorGroup Services carries out clearance and Mines Advisory Group carries out quality management. At the request of MAC-C, the National Guard agreed to provide a military observer to monitor mine clearance activities on behalf of the government.[34] According to MAC-C, demining in the buffer zone has a significant economic impact: by facilitating the opening of new crossing points it allows increased trade and population movement.[35]

The clearance of National Guard minefields in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus outside the buffer zone began in 2005 with a demining team from the National Guard. When stockpile destruction was completed (by July 2007), the National Guard intended to assign a second demining team to speed up the clearance effort.[36]

Identification, Marking and Fencing of Affected Areas

In October 2006 a joint “General Impact Survey” was conducted in the north following an agreement between MAC-C and Turkish forces. This was the first time in 30 years that the UN had been allowed to perform such work in the northern part of the island. Of the 22 areas visited, 21 had some fencing to indicate the actual mined area.[37]

Cyprus claims that all mined and mine-suspected areas in government-controlled territory outside the buffer zone have been identified, perimeter-marked and fenced, as required by Article 5 of the treaty prior to clearance.[38]

In the buffer zone, an estimated 85 percent of the minefields are not fenced in strict accordance with IMAS; of those that are, most are located along the UNFICYP patrol track. However, the affected areas are not accessible to the public since the buffer zone is a controlled area. According to MAC-C, it is not possible to fully fence all areas, as Turkish forces in the north restrict access to certain areas.[39] MAC-C has stated that all newly identified suspected hazardous areas within the buffer zone are fenced in accordance with IMAS.[40]

Turkish forces have informed MAC-C that mines in ‘their’ minefields are laid in “military patterns.” If it is the case that the mines are in confined areas and predictable patterns, this would allow a technical survey team to move through and fence the areas in a relatively short period of time. Turkish forces have declared that they have accurate minefield records and maps, which will be handed over prior to clearance activities.[41]

Mine/ERW Clearance

In 2006 two minefields containing 280 antipersonnel mines were cleared by CYMAC in areas outside the buffer zone controlled by the Republic.[42]

Inside the buffer zone, between 5 August 2005 and 28 December 2006, MAC-C cleared 13 Turkish minefields and 36 Republic minefields around the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, following agreement between Turkish forces and UNFICYP.[43] Clearance operations continued in these areas throughout 2006; Nicosia city was declared mine-free in November 2006, and clearance of Turkish-laid minefields around the city was completed on 28 December 2006.[44]

There were no reports of any clearance by Turkish forces outside the buffer zone in areas they control.

Demining in Buffer Zone and Republic-controlled areas of Cyprus in 2006[45]

Operators

Mined area clearance (m2)

APMs

destroyed

AVMs

destroyed

Battle area

clearance

(m2)

UXO

destroyed

Area reduced or cancelled

(m2)

CYMAC/

National Guard

N/A

280

0

0

0

0

ArmorGroup

294,486

369

171

1,190,000

37

209,133

Total

294,486

649

171

1,190,000

37

209,133

Where possible, UNFICYP issues farmers with licenses to farm cleared land – as long as this will not increase tensions between the two sides, and the areas are more than 400 meters from the Turkish forces ceasefire line.[46] Land cleared is mainly agricultural.[47] The landowners are periodically visited by MAC-C teams to both confirm and encourage usage of the cleared land.[48]

For 2007, Cyprus declared that it planned to clear another two minefields containing 185 antipersonnel mines.[49] As of April 2007 UNFICYP on behalf of MAC-C was discussing with Turkish forces which minefields they would hand over next for demining.[50]

Summary of Efforts to Comply with Article 5

At the Sixth Meeting of States Parties in November 2005, the Republic’s representative stated that, “Cyprus is exerting every effort to meet its obligation to clear all antipersonnel mines’ minefields by June 2013 in compliance with its treaty obligations.”[51] At the Standing Committee meetings in April 2007, Cyprus affirmed that it was successfully following the timetable for demining areas under its control, but claimed that demining in areas not under the control of the Republic was not proceeding according to the plan. Within Republic-controlled areas, there were said to be 3,801 antipersonnel mines in 14 minefields remaining to be cleared by the treaty deadline of 1 July 2013.[52]

Inside the buffer zone, all Republic-laid minefields were cleared by July 2005. According to MAC-C, 13 Turkish minefields in the buffer zone had been cleared and 21 remained at the end of 2006.[53] It has not been reported how many minefields are in the Turkish-controlled north of Cyprus, and no party has recognized an obligation under the Mine Ban Treaty to clear these minefields.

The following table sets out progress in demining since operations began in November 2004. In total, around half a square kilometer of mined areas have been cleared, almost half a square kilometer of suspected hazardous area has been cancelled or reduced, and 1.25 square kilometers of battle areas have been cleared.

Demining in Buffer Zone 2004-2006[54]

Year

Mined area

clearance (m2)

Battle area

clearance (m2)

Area reduced

or cancelled (m2)

2006

294,486

1,192,628

209,133

2005

171,265

58,426

267,819

Nov - Dec 2004

44,894

0

0

Total

510,645

1,251,054

476,952

Mine Risk Education

For the first time Landmine Monitor can report on mine risk education (MRE) sessions provided for civilians in Cyprus.[55] In late 2006, 12 United Nations Police in Cyprus (UNPOL) staff trained by the MAC Cyprus started delivering MRE in the buffer zone; over 500 farmers and civilians who work in the buffer zone are the target recipients. The response has reportedly been positive and mine risk information is passed by word of mouth to other farmers and civilians. In 2007, MRE continued in the buffer zone, and UNPOL trainers hoped to expand MRE into schools in order to inform rural schoolchildren about the risks of working in the buffer zone. At the request of Turkish forces, MAC-C provided MRE presentations and materials to the Turkish forces for language translation and subsequent use in their areas of operation.[56]

MAC-C gave landmine safety briefings to some 360 British soldiers arriving in Cyprus. All of the approximately 50 UNPOL staff joining the mission in 2006 were also given landmine safety briefings.[57] During 2006, 36 soldiers in three UN sectors received train-the-trainer courses by MAC-C to enable them to deliver landmine safety briefings to incoming personnel during their operational tours. Training and MRE packages were also given to 60 UNFICYP personnel to carry out landmine safety briefings for incoming UN staff. Safety briefings for UNFICYP personnel have been given by MAC-C since it was established in April 2004.[58]

Landmine Casualties and Survivor Assistance

From January 2006 to May 2007, no new mine casualties were reported in Cyprus.[59] The last reported landmine casualty occurred in 2004, when a civilian was injured.[60] Between 1993 and 2004, two civilians and three deminers were killed by mines.[61] In addition, three UN peacekeepers were killed in landmine incidents during 28 years of operations and several civilians were reported injured or killed.[62] The total number of mine survivors in Cyprus is not known.

Mine survivors and family members receive assistance through the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. Medical assistance and rehabilitation are free in government-run hospitals and for recipients of disability benefits. Families of military personnel killed in a mine incident are eligible for a compensation payment. The ministries of defence and finance can recommend ex gratia allowances for mine survivors and families of mine casualties which are subject to approval by the Council of Ministers.[63]

Cyprus did not include information on mine/ERW casualties or victim assistance in its Article 7 report for 2006.[64]

Cyprus has legislation protecting the rights of people with disabilities, most significantly Law 127 (I) Providing for Persons with Disabilities (2000) and Amended Law 57 (2004).[65] Other laws and regulations also contain provisions for the economic integration of people with disabilities, public access and forms of social assistance.[66] In general, the laws are enforced.[67]

On 30 March 2007, Cyprus signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol allowing monitoring of disability initiatives by Cyprus.

Funding and Assistance

The National Plan finalized in 2005 stated that the total estimated cost for the destruction of antipersonnel mines, both those in stockpiles and those in minefields in areas under government control, is CYP475,000 (US$1,038,682); this continued in 2006 to be met on an annual basis from the national budget.[68]

Demining in the buffer zone has been funded by the European Commission (EC); €4 million ($5 million) was allocated in 2004 for PFF activities to fund clearance operations until June 2006.[69] In June 2006 the EC extended a further €1 million ($1.26 million) to UNDP to continue mine clearance operations to November 2006 and to maintain MAC-C to December 2006. The EC decision adopting the action stated that full funding by the EC was the only way to finance the extension because the UN did not have the required funds.[70] Reportedly, in January 2007 a further €4 million ($5 million) was granted, the contract for which was signed on 30 July.[71]

In April 2006 the UN Secretary-General’s representative stated that, “ridding the buffer zone of mines will take an estimated €6 million more, while a further €5 million is required to achieve the ultimate goal of a mine-free Cyprus.”[72]

The International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) funding program in Cyprus was completed in 2004 after commencing that same year. A proposed US contribution via the ITF, first recommended by the US House Appropriations Committee in 2004 and contingent on co-contributions by Cyprus and Turkey, had not been made as of June 2007, as neither Cyprus nor Turkey made the required contributions.[73]

National Contribution to Mine Action

The National Plan stated that the total estimated cost for the destruction of antipersonnel mines, both those in stockpile and those in minefields in areas under government control, is CYP475,000 (about $1 million) and that this was to be met from the national budget.[74]


[1] Law No. 37 (III) 2002, “Law Ratifying the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.”

[2] “Law Concerning Explosive Materials of 2005,” Law No. 19 (1) 2005, Article 4. The law includes penal sanctions of a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine of CYP1,500 (about US$3,200), or both.

[3] In August 2005 the committee finalized the National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention, including both stockpile destruction and mine clearance. Telephone interview with Sotos Liassides, Director of Multilateral Affairs, Political Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2 August 2005.

[4] The report does not list a specific submission date, just the month of April.

[5] Previous reports were submitted on 28 April 2006 (for calendar year 2005), 24 April 2005 (for calendar year 2004) and in early 2004 (for 1 July-31 December 2003)―there is no date of submission on this initial report.

[6] Statement by Cyprus, “The Process of Action in Implementing the Ottawa Convention,” Seventh Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 21 September 2006; statement by Cyprus, “Exceptions from the Ottawa Convention,” Seventh Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 21 September 2006.

[7] Presentation by Cyprus, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 25-26 April 2007.

[8] Statement by Cyprus, “The Process of Action in Implementing the Ottawa Convention (Article 4),” Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, 23 April 2007.

[9] Fax PD-MA/24.11.12.142 from Panayiotis Papadopoulos on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2006. See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 374 for additional details.

[10] The US government identified Cyprus as a past producer, but Cyprus denied it. See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 704.

[11] Article 7 Report, Form B, undated (for 1 July 2003-31 December 2003). Cyprus has at times reported other numbers, but officials have stated this is the correct total. See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, pp. 374-375 for details.

[12] The mines initially declared in the stockpile were: M2A1 (474), M2A3 (179), M16 (4,086), M16A1 (16,440), M16A2 (20,146), M16E3 (278), VS50 (4,450), and GLD112 (2,422).

[13] Letter from Alexandros Zenon, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nicosia, 3 July 2007.  See also, “Cyprus meets obligation to destroy antipersonnel mines,” Cyprus News Agency (Nicosia), 10 July 2007.

[14] Article 7 Report, Form G, April 2007. The destroyed mines were M16A1-A2, M16E3, M2A1-A4, VS-50, and GLD 112. The report does not provide the number of each type. While Form G states 18,154 mines were destroyed, the difference between the number of remaining stocks Cyprus reported at the end of 2005 (33,548) and at the end of 2006 (15,392) is 18,156, a discrepancy of two mines. Cyprus reported that it destroyed 11,000 mines in 2005, but the difference between the number of remaining stocks it reported at the end of 2004 (44,107) and at the end of 2005 (33,548) was 10,559, a discrepancy of 441 mines.

[15] Article 7 Report, Form F, April 2007.

[16] Ibid, Forms B and D. In its Article 7 reports, Cyprus has reported destroying 4,368 mines in 2003 and 2004, 11,000 in 2005, and 18,154 in 2006. This total of 33,522 destroyed, plus 15,392 remaining mines, equals 48,914, which does not match the initial declared stockpile of 48,475 (a discrepancy of 439 mines).

[17] Statement by Cyprus, “The Process of Action in Implementing the Ottawa Convention (Article 4),” Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, 23 April 2007.

[18] Article 7 Report, Form D, April 2007. While the 1,000 figure remains the same from earlier reports, Cyprus now lists 200 M16 mines and zero M16E3 instead of 100 M16 and 100 M16E3.

[19] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, pp. 375-376.

[20] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, Demining Project Manager, MAC-C, 17 April 2007.

[21] Email from Sotos Liassides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2006. However, according to MAC-C, there are antitank mines in Republic-controlled areas. Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 1, 16 August 2007.

[22] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007, and email 31 May 2007.

[23] Article 7 Report, Form C, April 2007. However, Cyprus reported that there were 14 minefields remaining in May 2006, and the April 2007 Article 7 report also notes two minefields cleared by the end of 2006.

[24] This information is extracted from Article 7 reports for 2004, 2005 and 2006. In the report for 2006, Pyla Village was no longer on the list of mined locations. See Article 7 Report, Forms C, April 2007, April 2006, and April 2005.

[25] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 376.

[26] Ibid.

[27] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 May 2007; Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 376.

[28] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 29 May 2007; Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006.

[29]Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 376.

[30] Republic of Cyprus, “Contribution of Cyprus to a Mine-Free World–National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” 22 September 2004, p. 16; Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 376.

[31] The National Plan was finalized in August 2005. Republic of Cyprus, “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005. See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 377.

[32] Republic of Cyprus, “Contribution of Cyprus to a Mine-Free World–National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, pp. 12, 15.

[33] Statement by Cyprus, “The process of action in implementing the Ottawa convention (Article 5),” Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 26 April 2007.

[34] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007; Constantine Markides, “Nicosia mine-free at last,” Cyprus Mail, Nicosia, 19 November 2006, www.cyprus-mail.com/news, accessed 15 May 2007.

[35] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007; Security Council Resolution 1728 (2006) on the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP, 15 December 2006.

[36] Interview with Maj. Aresti Panayiotis, Ministry of Defence, Geneva, 25 April 2007.

[37] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007.

[38] Article 7 Report, Form I, April 2007.

[39] Responses to Landmine Monitor Questionnaires by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007 and 27 March 2006, and email 3 May 2006.

[40] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006, and email 3 May 2006.

[41] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007.

[42] Interview with Maj. Aresti Panayiotis, Ministry of Defence, Geneva, 25 April 2007; Article 7 Report, Form G, April 2007.

[43] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007; Charlie Charalambous, “UN clear Nicosia mines – Two last two anti-personnel land mines have been destroyed, experts say,” Kathimerini (Greek newspaper), Athens, 23 November 2006, www.ekathimerini.com, accessed 15 May 2007.

[44] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007, and email 31 May 2007.

[45] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007. Cyprus did not report the size of areas cleared in 2006 by CYMAC and the National Guard.

[46] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 1 June 2007.

[47] Email from Sotos Liassides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 17 March 2006.

[48] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007.

[49] Statement by Cyprus, “The process of action in implementing the Ottawa Convention (Article 5),” Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 26 April 2007.

[50] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007.

[51] Statement by Cyprus, Sixth Meeting of States Parties, Zagreb, 30 November 2005.

[52] Statement by Cyprus, “The process of action in implementing the Ottawa convention (Article 5),” Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 26 April 2007. However, at the Standing Committee meetings in May 2006 Cyprus also reported that 3,801 antipersonnel mines in 14 minefields remained to be cleared by the treaty deadline; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 377. If 280 mines were cleared from two minefields in 2006, there should remain 3,521 antipersonnel mines in 12 minefields before clearance operations in 2007.

[53] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007, and email, 31 May 2007. The number of minefields reported has varied, partly due to re-definition of minefield boundaries; there are also several minefields of unknown origin; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, pp. 375-376.

[54] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 17 April 2007. The table does not include demining by the Republic of Cyprus outside the buffer zone, as the size of areas cleared has not been reported in all cases. The table corrects data reported for area reduction/cancellation and technical survey in 2005 by MAC–C. See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 379.

[55] Cyprus has reported previously that safety notices have been displayed in community halls and newspapers in areas where clearance operations are taking place. See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 319.

[56] Email from Robert Thompson, Operations Officer, MAC-C, 31 May 2007.

[57] Ibid.

[58] Telephone interview with Robert Thompson, MAC-C, Nicosia, 4 June 2007.

[59] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 23 May 2007; email from Lt. Col. Michael Shiaelos, Ministry of Defence, 5 June 2007.

[60] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 383.

[61] Republic of Cyprus, “A Universal Point of Reference for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” (undated but marked 2004), p. 18.

[62] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp. 383-384.

[63] Republic of Cyprus, “A Universal Point of Reference for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” undated but 2004, p. 18; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, pp. 380-381.

[64] Article 7 Report, Form J, April 2007.

[65] Republic of Cyprus, Department of Labour and Social Insurance, “Legislation,” www.mlsi.gov.cy, accessed 25 May 2007.

[66] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 381.

[67] US Department of State, “Country Report on Human Rights Practices-2006: Cyprus,” Washington, DC, 6 March 2007.

[68] Republic of Cyprus, “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, p. 17. Average exchange rate for 2006: CYP 1 = US$2.1867. Landmine Monitor estimate based on www.oanda.com.

[69] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 319. Average exchange rate for 2004: €1 = US$1.2438. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.

[70] EC, “Commission Decision C/2006/2202 of 09/06/2006, on a preparatory action programme continuing de-mining activities in Cyprus in 2006”, 9 June 2006, http://ec.europa.eu, accessed 2 June 2007.

[71] “EU funds landmine removal from Cyprus U.N. line,” Reuters, 30 July 2007; email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 3 August 2007.

[72] “UN official optimistic Cyprus to be mine-free in a few years,” Financial Mirror, 7 April 2006.

[73] Email From Iztok Hočevar, Advisor for International Relations, ITF, 4 June 2007; Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 380.

[74] Republic of Cyprus, “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, p. 17.