LM Report 2002

CYPRUS

Key developments since May 2001: In January 2002, the government of Cyprus introduced a bill to Parliament calling for early approval and ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty. Cyprus reports that it has cleared and destroyed more that 11,000 mines during the last two years. It has announced plans to clear the heavily-mined buffer zone that divides the island, starting unilaterally if necessary.

MINE BAN POLICY

The Republic of Cyprus signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997, but has not yet ratified it. In April 2001, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the procedures for ratification were being pursued.^[1] On 17 January 2002, the government introduced a bill to the House of Representatives “for the early approval and ratification of the Convention and its subsequent implementation.”^[2] A spokesman for the government, Michalis Papapetrou, stated that the National Guard, the Republic’s armed forces, had no objection as it believes that it would not create any problems in the country’s defense capacity.^[3] At the same time, the government announced a proposal to clear the heavily-mined buffer zone that divides the island. On 10 April 2002, the parliamentary committees on foreign affairs and defense met to discuss ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty.^[4]

Cyprus attended the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in September 2001 in Managua, Nicaragua, represented by Alexandros Vikis, Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva. Cyprus associated itself with a statement delivered by Belgium on behalf of the European Union (EU), which urged all States that had not already done so to ratify or accede to the Mine Ban Treaty as soon as possible. In November 2001, Cyprus cosponsored and voted in favor of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 56/24M, calling for universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty.

Cyprus also participated in the Mine Ban Treaty Standing Committee meetings in January and May 2002.^[5] On 29 January 2002, at the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance and Related Technologies, the Cypriot delegation informed the meeting of the progress towards ratification and referred to its proposals to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) to clear minefields in the buffer zone “in the context of the United Nations Policy of Mine Action and Effective Coordination, and within the spirit of the Ottawa Convention.”^[6]

The statement added, “We sincerely hope that the Turkish side will be equally constructive by cooperating with UNFICYP.... [A]lthough the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is looking forward to a positive response from the Turkish side for the implementation of the project, it has therefore expressed its willingness to proceed unilaterally, in cooperation with UNFICYP, with the clearing of the National Guard minefields in the buffer zone.”^[7] All previous statements about the possibility of clearing mines from the buffer zone had been dependent on reciprocity from the Turkish side.

The delegation said that “it is our conviction that this proposal will have a positive impact on the political climate in Cyprus with beneficial effects on the process of inter-communal talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem, which have recently resumed within the framework of the United Nations Secretary-General’s good offices mandate.”^[8] The Cypriot Minister of Defense, Socratis Hasikos, was reported as saying that “the government’s decision to remove landmines in and around the buffer zone was an important political gesture.”^[9]

On 29 March 2002, a Turkish Cypriot representative declared that “demining is an issue of disarmament” and that it “will not deal with the issue of disarmament until a political settlement has been reached.”^[10] He added later, “The situation in Cyprus was different from the situation in Afghanistan and areas of Africa where the minefields were unknown and posed a humanitarian risk.... We believe that demining, which is one of the secondary issues, could easily be tackled after a settlement is reached.”^[11]

On 6 February 2002, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked UNFICYP to request that the Turkish side undertake demining on their side of the buffer zone, although it was stated that “even if the other side doesn’t accept this, we are still willing to permit the removal of National Guard mines from the buffer zone.”^[12] In response, the Turkish Cypriots told UNFICYP “that at present it was not prepared to join in the effort to demine the buffer zone.”^[13] As a result, UNFICYP has decided to focus on assisting the government of Cyprus in clearing National Guard minefields.^[14]

Cyprus is party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), but has not ratified its Amended Protocol II. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously stated that ratification legislation for the protocol would be put before Parliament in late 2001, but the following March, the Ministry declared that it was according priority to ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty.^[15]

Cyprus attended the Third Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II as an observer, and participated in the Second CCW Review Conference, both in December 2001. The delegation associated itself with a statement made by Belgium on behalf of the European Union.

PRODUCTION, TRANSFER, STOCKPILING, AND USE

Cyprus has declared that it has not produced or exported antipersonnel mines. For the few known details on importation and stockpiling of mines, see Landmine Monitor Report 2001.^[16] No further clarification has been provided by either the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Defense. The Special Advisor on Demining stated that Cyprus could meet the Mine Ban Treaty requirement for stockpile destruction within four years of entry into force.^[17]

The Special Advisor on Demining also said that during the last year the National Guard has continued to refurbish dangerous antipersonnel mines in government-controlled areas outside the buffer zone.^[18] The UN reported on 30 May 2002 that the National Guard had continued strengthening two defensive positions just outside the buffer zone, south of Pyla.^[19]

LANDMINE PROBLEM AND MINE CLEARANCE

UNIFCYP, which is responsible for supervising the buffer zone, reports that “the number of minefields inside the buffer zone stands at 47; 13 minefields belong to the Cyprus National Guard and 26 to the Turkish forces. The remaining minefields were laid by unknown parties.” All the minefields are fenced, and marked by UNFICYP in Greek, Turkish and English.^[20]

The Ministry of Defense appointed Major Theodoros Efthymiou its Special Advisor on Demining to address the obligations to clear antipersonnel mines under the Mine Ban Treaty. He stated that it would be possible for Cyprus to meet the treaty requirements for demining within the required timeframe, although outside aid would be needed to demine the buffer zone.^[21]

In January 2002, Cyprus reported “that the government of Cyprus has since 1983 cleared ten minefields, adjacent to the buffer zone, and during the last two years destroyed more that 11,000 mines of various types.”^[22] In 2001 and 2002, the National Guard has continued to clear two minefields in the village of Pyla.^[23] The UN reported on 30 May 2002 that removal of these minefields was nearing completion.^[24]

With regard to the buffer zone, Cyprus stated that “the government has proposed that consultations begin [at] the earliest, between the government of Cyprus and UNFICYP in order to work out the modalities and the order to be followed in the process of clearing the National Guard’s minefields within the buffer zone.”^[25] Cyprus also noted that the government has “brought to the attention of UNFICYP that foreign governments expressed in the past their interest in providing practical assistance and/or funding for the implementation of this project. The Government of Cyprus is ready to engage in discussions with these Governments and their relevant agencies in order to define the extent and nature of their assistance, so as to be in a position to devise a specific plan of action, on the basis of modalities agreed with UNFICYP and with UNFICYP’s cooperation.”^[26] Defense Minister Socratis Hasikos said that “the demining will not be carried out by the National Guard...although the Army is capable of performing the operation.... Foreign governments as well as private companies have expressed interest in carrying out the task.”^[27]

The National Guard stated that “it is estimated that the demining the 11 National Guard minefields of the buffer zone will take two years” and that they have records for all these minefields.^[28] UNFICYP stated that “due to the age of the minefields” it envisages the clearance will take a considerable period of time, manpower and money. “All information from a two year survey on minefields that was completed in May 2001 has been entered onto a database. UNFICYP has all possible information regarding minefield records. Further information would involve personnel investigating minefields. UNFICYP are not mandated to investigate the contents of minefields.”^[29] Therefore, “when demining goes ahead UNFICYP considers its role as one of coordination and facilitation.... In accordance with the Ottawa Convention, it is the responsibility of the Government of Cyprus to secure the necessary funding for the demining operation, however it can facilitate requests for technical and financial assistance.”^[30]

Marina Laker, Political Counselor at the Canadian High Commission in Damascus, said, “Canada has repeatedly offered its help in demining efforts on the island and last year donated US$30,000 worth of computer hardware and software that will better enable UNFICYP personnel to keep track of shifting minefields.” But no formal request for Canada’s help in demining has yet been made.^[31] In 2001, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining installed the IMSMA (Information Management System for Mine Action) database at the UNFICYP headquarters in Cyprus.^[32]

In early June 2002, a team from the UN Mine Action Service visited Cyprus to assess and make recommendations on clearance of the Greek Cypriot minefields.^[33]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Tassos Tzionis, told parliamentary committee members that mine removal would reintroduce a sense of normality to the buffer zone, helping thousands of Greek Cypriot farmers make use of the fertile land.^[34] But the Turkish side responded by saying that, although they do not object to the demining, they do object to what is done with this land afterwards – because it is in the buffer zone. They would object to construction of any kind on this land: “the buffer zone is under the control of UNFICYP and the status of the area cannot be unilaterally altered by the Greek Cypriot side.”^[35]

There have been no press reports in the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot media of demining, refurbishment or mine-laying activities by the Turkish Army in Cyprus. A Turkish Cypriot representative said that he had no information in relation to the issue of minefields in the north, and that this was the responsibility of the Turkish Army.^[36]

MINE CASUALTIES

According to a press report, over the past 28 years three United Nations peacekeepers and several civilians have been killed or injured by landmines in Cyprus. The most recent death of a Greek Cypriot civilian was in 1997. In March 1999, a National Guard soldier was killed when an antivehicle mine exploded during a demining operation in a village on the ceasefire line south of Nicosia.^[37]

In 2001, there were no casualties from mines in the government-controlled areas or in the buffer zone.^[38] A Turkish Cypriot official added that there have been no landmine casualties in the north; there have been no media reports of casualties.^[39] Nicosia General Hospital did not treat and was not asked to advise on the treatment of any mine casualties (including from the north) in 2001.^[40]

[1] For details of previous policy statements, see Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 824-825.
[2] Statement to the intersessional Standing Committee on Mine Clearance and Related Technologies, Geneva, 29 January 2002. These developments have taken place during intensive peace talks between Greek Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash. The talks have been strongly encouraged by the European Union in the context of the application of Cyprus to join the European Union. The EU set a target date of June 2002 for a settlement, with the aim of Cyprus acceding by the end of 2002.
[3] “Cyprus government engaged in moves to remove landmines,” Cyprus News Agency, Nicosia, 24 January 2002.
[4] Interview with Tassos Tzionis, Head of Political Affairs Division (Cyprus Question), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nicosia, 29 March 2002.
[5] It was represented by members of the Ministry of Defense and Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations in Geneva.
[6] Statement to the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance and Related Technologies, Geneva, 29 January 2002.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Melina Demetriou, “Mine Clearing an ‘Important Political Step,’” Cyprus Mail (English language daily newspaper), 8 February 2002.
[10] Interview with Rabat Caglar, Turkish Cypriot Representative, Nicosia, 29 March 2002.
[11] Email from Rabat Caglar, Turkish Cypriot Representative, Nicosia, 29 April 2002.
[12] Menelaos Hadjicostis, “Government to Go Ahead with Unilateral Mine Clearing,” Cyprus Weekly, (English language newspaper), 8 February 2002.
[13] Email from Wlodek Cibor, Senior Adviser, UNFICYP, 25 April 2002.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Interview with Tassos Tzionis, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 29 March, 2002.
[16] Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 825-826.
[17] Interview with Major Theodoros Efthymiou, Special Advisor on Demining, National Guard, Nicosia, 30 March 2002.
[18] Ibid.
[19] “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cyprus,” United Nations Security Council, ref. S/2002/590, 30 May 2002, para 7.
[20] Email from Brian Kelly, UNFICYP Spokesperson, 25 April 2002; interview with Brian Kelly, Spokesperson, UNFICYP Headquarters, Nicosia, 28 March 2002. If part of a minefield or the markings of the minefield are inside the buffer zone, UNFICYP considers the minefield to be within the buffer zone; this may account for disparities in the numbers provided by UNFICYP and those furnished by the National Guard. For fuller description of the landmine problem in Cyprus, see Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 826-827.
[21] Interview with Major Efthymiou, National Guard, 30 March 2002.
[22] Statement to the SC on Mine Clearance, Geneva, 29 January 2002.
[23] Interview with Major Efthymiou, National Guard, 30 March 2002.
[24] “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cyprus,” United Nations Security Council, ref. S/2002/590, 30 May 2002, para 7.
[25] Statement to the SC on Mine Clearance, Geneva, 29 January 2002.
[26] Ibid.
[27] Melina Demetriou, “Mine Clearing an ‘Important Political Step,’” Cyprus Mail (English language daily newspaper), 8 February 2002.
[28] Interview with Major Efthymiou, National Guard, 30 March 2002.
[29] Interview with Brian Kelly, UNFICYP, 28 March 2002.
[30] Interview with Wlodek Cibor, Senior Advisor, UNFICYP, Headquarters, Nicosia, 28 March 2002, and email of 25 April 2002.
[31] Menelaos Hadjicostis, “Canada Might Lead Mine Removal Efforts,” Cyprus Weekly, 25 January 2002.
[32] “Update on Activities between January and December 2001,” Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, 31 December 2001, p. 4.
[33] “UN Mines Action Team Assesses Cyprus Minefields,” Cyprus Mail, 5 June 2002.
[34] Menelaos Hadjicostis, “Government To Go Ahead With Unilateral Mine Clearing,” Cyprus Weekly (English language newspaper), 8 February 2002.
[35] Interview with Rabat Caglar, Turkish Cypriot Representative, Nicosia, 29 March 2002, and email of 29 April 2002.
[36] Interview with Rabat Caglar, Turkish Cypriot Representative, 29 March 2002. Lack of information about refurbishment of the minefields may be due to restricted press freedom in the Turkish-occupied north of the island.
[37] “Cyprus Submits Landmine-Clearing Plan to UN,” Xinhua News Agency, 23 January 2002; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 765.
[38] Press and Information Office, Nicosia, Cyprus, 27 March 2002.
[39] Interview with Rabat Caglar, Turkish Cypriot Representative, 29 March 2002; interview with Kyriakos Vrahimis, Press and Information Officer, Turkish Media Section, Press and Information Office, Nicosia, 27 March 2002.
[40] Interview with Dr. Costas Antoniades, Director, Accident and Emergency Department, Nicosia General Hospital, 28 March 2002.

<COOK ISLANDS | ETHIOPIA>