+   *    +     +     
About Us 
The Issues 
Our Research Products 
Order Publications 
Multimedia 
Press Room 
Resources for Monitor Researchers 
ARCHIVES HOME PAGE 
    >
Sub-Sections:
Cyprus

Cyprus

2008 Key Data

State Party since

1 July 2003

Contamination

Antipersonnel and antivehicle mines, UXO

Estimated area of contamination

Up to 5km2 (November 2008 UN estimate)

Casualties in 2008

Six (2007: 0)

Estimated mine/ERW survivors

Unknown but at least seven

Article 5 (clearance of mined areas)

1 July 2013

Demining in 2008

Twenty SHAs in buffer zone; two National Guard minefields in government-controlled areas; no demining in Turkish-controlled areas

Risk education recipients in 2008

1,645

Support for mine action in 2008

Ten-Year Summary

The Republic of Cyprus became a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty on 1 July 2003. It completed destruction of its stockpiled antipersonnel mines on its deadline of 1 July 2007. It retained 1,000 mines for training and research purposes but has yet to consume any of them. Cyprus has stated that domestic implementation of the treaty is achieved through the ratification legislation and other law non-specific to antipersonnel mines.

Cyprus has made steady progress in clearing mined areas since becoming a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. The UN has continued to conduct clearance of contamination in the buffer zone between the government-controlled areas and territory controlled by Turkish Forces, although funding shortfalls in early 2009 have restricted progress. There has been no evidence of clearance on territory controlled by Turkish Forces.

From 1999 to 2009, Landmine Monitor identified at least eight landmine casualties (one killed and seven injured) in Cyprus. Risk education has been provided to civilians since 2006. Mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) survivors, including non-Cypriot nationals, receive adequate assistance.

Mine Ban Policy

Cyprus signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997 and ratified it on 17 January 2003, becoming 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, or transfer any explosive material without the necessary authority.[2] The National Committee for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention and the Cyprus Mine Action Centre (CYMAC) are responsible for implementation of treaty obligations.

Cyprus attended the Ninth Meeting of States Parties in November 2008 and the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in Geneva in May 2009, making statements on mine clearance at both meetings.

Cyprus submitted its updated annual Article 7 report covering calendar year 2008. It had previously submitted five Article 7 reports.[3]

With respect to matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Cyprus has stated its view that the treaty prohibits foreign stockpiling and transshipment of antipersonnel mines, and, in the case of Article 1(c) of the treaty, “prohibits common military exercises of states parties to the Convention with the armed forces of states that have not ratified the Convention.”[4]

Cyprus is party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) and its Amended Protocol II on landmines. As of July 2009, it had not yet submitted its national annual report for 2007 or 2008 in accordance with Article 13. Cyprus is not yet party to CCW Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War.

As of 1 July 2009, Cyprus had not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Production, stockpiling, and retention

Cyprus maintains that it has never produced or exported antipersonnel mines.[5] In its initial Article 7 report, Cyprus declared a total of 48,475 stockpiled antipersonnel mines before the destruction program started in December 2003.[6] Cyprus completed stockpile destruction on its treaty-mandated deadline of 1 July 2007.[7]

Cyprus retained 1,000 antipersonnel mines for training and development purposes under Article 3 of the treaty.[8] This number has not changed since 2003, indicating that none of the mines are being consumed in training activities. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Landmine Monitor in April 2009 that a limited number of these mines would be consumed during training in May 2009.[9] Previously, in June 2008, officials told Landmine Monitor that Cyprus has no plans to destroy any of its retained mines.[10] Cyprus has yet to provide details of the intended purposes and actual uses of its retained mines. Cyprus has not used the expanded Form D on retained mines agreed by States Parties in December 2005.

Scope of the Problem

Contamination

Cyprus is contaminated by antipersonnel and antivehicle mines and ERW. The island has been divided geographically and politically by a heavily mined, 180km-long buffer zone since 1974 when Turkish Armed Forces took control of the north. Minefields were laid within and outside the buffer zone by both the Greek Cypriot National Guard and Turkish Armed Forces. The UN has estimated that up to 5km2 of land on the island may be contaminated with mines and UXO.[11]

By early 2009, 10 mined areas containing 3,224 antipersonnel mines remained to be cleared outside the buffer zone in territory controlled by the Republic of Cyprus:[12] confirmed minefields remained in or around the villages of Dali, Geri, Potamia, and Trouloi.[13] As of May 2009, a military firing range near Paphos was close to being completely cleared. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are no other areas affected with ERW in the territories under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus.[14] A further 18 suspected hazardous areas (SHAs) remained to be cleared within the buffer zone.[15] The extent of contamination in areas controlled by the Turkish Armed Forces was not known.

Casualties

In 2008, Landmine Monitor identified at least six new landmine casualties (all injured) in four incidents.[16] Four casualties were civilians and two were deminers. On 28 March 2008, a Mozambican demining team leader was injured by an antipersonnel mine in the buffer zone.[17] On 5 December 2008, three members of the same Iraqi family (one man, one woman, and one child) were injured by an antipersonnel mine in the buffer zone while seeking asylum.[18] On 20 December 2008, in a similar incident another Iraqi man was injured by an antipersonnel mine in the buffer zone while seeking asylum.[19] On 10 December 2008, a deminer was injured by an antipersonnel mine during clearance activities.[20] Prior to 2008, the last identified mine casualty in Cyprus occurred in 2003.[21] No new landmine casualties were reported in 2009, as of 31 May.[22]

The total number of mine casualties in Cyprus is not known. From 1999 to 2008, Landmine Monitor identified at least eight mine casualties (one killed and seven injured).[23] Five casualties were civilians (three men, one woman, and one child) and the remaining three casualties were deminers. Among the civilian casualties, four were Iraqi immigrants trying to cross the North-South border illegally and one was a farmer. Antipersonnel mines caused six casualties and antivehicle mines caused two casualties. In addition, in August 2003, a Cypriot refugee from the Turkish-occupied north committed suicide by walking into a clearly signposted minefield.[24]

Before 1999, at least four casualties were identified: three peacekeepers of the UN Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) were killed by mines between 1974 and 1998, and a 37-year-old man was killed by a mine when he followed his dog into a minefield in the buffer zone in 1997.[25]

Risk profile

In 2008, the increase in casualty numbers was a result of asylum seekers trying to cross the North-South border illegally. People living along the buffer zone, particularly farmers, are also believed to be at risk.

Socio-economic impact

The impact of contamination across the island appears to be primarily a blockage to agricultural activities.[26] Farmers are said to be using the land adjacent to the mined areas and in most cases have cultivated land to within two meters of minefield perimeter fences.[27] Demining in the buffer zone is said, however, to have a significant economic impact: by enabling the opening of new crossing points, clearance has facilitated increased trade and population movement.[28]

Program Management and Coordination

Mine action

An interministerial National Committee, established in May 2003, serves nominally as the National Mine Action Authority for Cyprus, but since adopting a National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention (see below) it has not met.[29] Cyprus has two mine action centers. The Cyprus Mine Action Centre (CYMAC), under the command of the Engineers Corps Command of the National Guard, is responsible for implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty and CCW Amended Protocol II. The UN Mine Action Centre in Cyprus (MAC-C), established in 2004, supports coordination between UNFICYP, the Republic of Cyprus, Turkish Armed Forces, and the European Union. MAC-C is responsible for supervising demining operations in the buffer zone.[30]

Victim assistance

The situation in Cyprus does not warrant specific victim assistance (VA) programs. There is no legislation concerning the coverage for mine incidents, but survivors and families of casualties receive assistance through the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.[31] Cyprus included information on VA activities in voluntary Form J to its Article 7 report only once. [32]

Disability issues fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.[33] The Pancyprian Council for Persons with Disabilities, chaired by the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, monitors disability issues and allows persons with disabilities to contribute to public policy. Government representatives, organizations of persons with disabilities, employers, and employee organizations participate in the Council.[34]

Data collection and management

MAC-C uses the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) for operations in the buffer zone, and makes data available on request. The latest version of IMSMA was installed in 2006 but, due to technical problems relating to the migration of data, has not become fully operational.[35] MAC-C has reported that recent casualty data is inserted into the IMSMA database.[36] In 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that data is collected by the National Guard and police forces, and that data collection has become faster and more efficient.[37]

Mine action program operators

National operators and activities

Demining

RE

Engineers Corps Command

x

x

International operators and activities

Demining

RE

ArmorGroup

x

 

MAG

x

 

UN Police in Cyprus (UNPOL)

 

x

Plans

Strategic mine action plan

Cyprus’s strategic plan for fulfillment of its Article 5 obligations remains based on the National Plan, which was first issued in September 2004. The plan included an annual timetable for the clearance of the 18 minefields in Cyprus-controlled areas. No plan for clearance of areas controlled by Turkish Armed Forces has been made public. Clearance of the 18 remaining SHAs in the buffer zone was planned to be completed by 2011, although funding constraints in early 2009 had temporarily threatened that deadline.[38] UNFICYP was seeking access to 12 SHAs from the relevant parties; access to six had already been granted. For 2009, MAC-C planned to clear four large minefields containing a substantial number of mines.[39]

Integration of mine action with reconstruction and development

There is no evidence that Cyprus has formally integrated mine action into development efforts.

National ownership

Commitment to mine action and victim assistance

Cyprus has made steady progress in removing emplaced antipersonnel mines from mined areas. According to the UN, the major constraint to demining operations is the country’s sensitive political climate. Mine clearance operations face delays and changing priorities due to political considerations.[40]

National management

Cyprus has conducted and managed demining of its National Guard minefields outside the buffer zone and in territory under its control. All demining inside the buffer zone has been coordinated and implemented by the UN.

National mine action legislation and standards/Standing operating procedures

No national mine action legislation has been adopted in Cyprus. National Guard operations are only to remove antipersonnel mines—antivehicle mines are left in the areas cleared. Demining in the buffer zone is said to be carried out according to the International Mine Action Standards, which were developed into safety guidelines by the UN, creating a basis for standing operating procedures for contractors.[41]

Demining and Battle Area Clearance

The Engineers Corps Command of the National Guard is tasked with clearing emplaced minefields in government-controlled areas.[42] 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. Mine detection dogs are no longer used in the buffer zone and MAC-C had planned to hire a mini-flail for a short period in late 2008 to speed up clearance but this did not happen.[43]

Within the buffer zone, 20 minefields were cleared in 2008, with the destruction of 5,090 antipersonnel mines, 2,497 antivehicle mines, and five ERW.[44] The National Guard cleared two minefields of antipersonnel mines only, with the destruction of 392 mines.[45] In addition, clearance of a military firing range in the vicinity of Paphos was due to be completed by the end of May 2009. Clearance activities as of 22 May 2009 had led to the destruction of 16 items of UXO. The land that was cleared as of that date amounted to 64,564m2, with 5,850m2 remaining to be cleared. No decision had been taken on the future ownership or use of the land.[46]

Progress since becoming a State Party

Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Cyprus is required to destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 1 July 2013. The clearance of National Guard minefields in areas controlled by Cyprus outside the buffer zone began in 2005 with a demining team from the National Guard.

Demining of minefields within the buffer zone started in November 2004, and by late 2008 demining operations had released more than 6km2, with the destruction of more than 9,000 landmines.[47] Clearance of the buffer zone was due to be completed by 2011, although funding constraints in early 2009 had temporarily called into question that deadline.

There has been no progress in clearance of mined areas under the control of the Turkish Armed Forces. This involves the legal responsibility of Turkey under the Mine Ban Treaty as a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. However, should Turkey fail to fulfill its legal obligations, in accordance with Article 5 of the treaty, Cyprus will be obliged to seek an extension to its deadline by virtue of its assertion of jurisdiction over the areas occupied by the Turkish Armed Forces.[48] This is not the understanding of Cyprus “simply because the Ottawa Convention makes the occupying power solely responsible for mine clearance in the occupied part of the Republic, Ankara’s disagreements notwithstanding.”[49]

Risk Education

In 2008, risk education (RE) activities increased, reaching some 1,645 civilians working in the buffer zone, particularly farmers.[50] The number of mine incidents also increased.

The UN Police in Cyprus (UNPOL) continued providing mine/ERW risk education to 1,145 farmers working in the buffer zone (500 in 2007).[51] RE briefings were organized in coffee shops.[52] Farmers in Cyprus must receive RE each year as a condition for renewing their farming licenses.[53] UNPOL staff continued to be trained by MAC-C.[54] The National Guard Demining Unit (Engineer Corps Command) carried out four RE seminars for some 500 people, including local families, farmers, and workers in the buffer zone.[55] MAC-C also provided safety briefings for some 1,600 UNFICYP personnel.[56] Cyprus reported that “All National Guard minefields under the Republic of Cyprus jurisdiction and control are fenced, marked with warning signs and monitored by troops in full compliance with the Convention.”[57]

It is unknown whether, in 2008, Turkish forces organized RE. Cyprus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that “the government of the Republic does not conduct risk education within occupied areas.”[58]

Cyprus’ national mine action plan does not include RE[59] but UNPOL has been providing RE to civilians, with no interruption, since 2006.[60] Previously, a UN Mine Action Service mission saw no need for RE as the mine threat to the civilian population in Cyprus is minimal.[61] In its Article 7 reports for 2007 and 2008, Cyprus noted in Form I that the situation remained “Unchanged from last reporting.”[62] In the previous Article 7 report for 2006, it did not report RE activities, but stated that mined areas are fenced and marked.[63]

Victim Assistance

The total number of survivors is unknown, but is at least seven. The health sector in Cyprus has adequate means to treat new mine casualties,[64] and survivors receive free medical assistance, rehabilitation, ex gratia monetary compensation, and a monthly disability allowance.[65]

Civilian survivors and families are entitled to free medical services at government hospitals and institutions, as well as to compensation and allowances. Military personnel dealing with demining activities receive the same benefits but, in case of fatal accident, the relatives are eligible for a compensation payment. In addition, the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Finance can recommend ex gratia allowances for mine survivors and families of mine casualties, subject to approval by the Council of Ministers.[66]

Non-Cypriot mine survivors, including illegal immigrants, receive free medical care at the same standards as Cypriot citizens.[67] Post-treatment issues for illegal immigrants are, however, examined by the government on a case-by-case basis.[68]

The two deminers injured in 2008 received initial medical care in Cyprus and were then transferred abroad; both were covered by their employer’s insurance.[69] Civilian survivors injured in 2008 received free medical treatment and were granted permission to remain legally in Cyprus.[70] In 2008, in the Turkish-controlled areas, authorities reportedly employed 423 persons with disabilities and provided financial aid to another 3,155 of the approximately 3,928 known persons with disabilities.[71]

Cyprus has legislation protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, in employment, education, access to healthcare, and other forms of social assistance.[72] These provisions are enforced, although physical accessibility of buildings continues to be a problem.[73] On 30 March 2007, Cyprus signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, but it had not ratified them as of 1 July 2009.

Support for Mine Action

In April 2006, the UN Secretary-General’s representative provided a cost estimate of €11 million (US$16.2 million) to achieve a “mine-free Cyprus.” Mine clearance in the buffer zone was estimated to cost €6 million, with an additional €5 million required for unspecified mine action to achieve “mine free” status.[74] In December 2008, MAC-C reported that it would cost $7 million to complete mine clearance operations in the buffer zone.[75]

According to the National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention for 2005–2013, the total estimated cost for the “destruction of antipersonnel mines” outside the buffer zone, including emplaced mines under Cyprus’s control, was CYP475,350 ($1.2 million/€811,510).[76] Landmine Monitor is not aware of cost estimates since 2005 for completion of mine action programs outside the buffer zone.

National support for mine action

In June 2008, the Defence Policy Directorate reported that the annual budget of the Cyprus National Guard included a budget item for implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. The Directorate reported allocations for mine action in 2008 totaling €100,000 ($147,260) and planned allocations in 2009 totaling €50,000 ($73,630).[77]

The National Plan states that the required costs for destruction of antipersonnel mines outside the buffer zone will be met from the national budget.[78] In November 2008, Cyprus reported that “the destruction process of AP mines laid in minefields” was “not impeded by any circumstances,” and that demining teams were supported “technically and financially.”[79] In May 2009 Cyprus reported that it did not require “external assistance” for either mine clearance or destruction activities.[80]

International cooperation and assistance

No international funding was reported for mine action in Cyprus in 2008. In 2007, the European Commission (EC) reported providing €4 million ($5,484,400), via the Partnership for the Future program to UNDP, to support clearance of mined areas under Turkish control in the north of the buffer zone.[81] The duration of the funding was originally reported as from September 2007 to September 2009.[82] However, as of December 2008, MAC-C reported that EC funding would end in January 2009, and that mine clearance in the buffer zone could shut down in the absence of additional funds.[83] In January 2009, the United Kingdom provided £46,700 ($86,605) to cover MAC-C clearance costs through February and March 2009.[84] Cyprus did not report continuing funding shortfalls in its statements to the May 2009 Standing Committee meetings, nor did it report having secured additional funding to cover costs for the remainder of 2009.


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

[2] “Law Concerning Explosive Materials of 2005,” Law No. 19 (1) 2005, Article 4. The law includes penal sanctions.

[3] Previous reports were submitted for calendar year 2007, in April 2007, 28 April 2006, 24 April 2005, for the period 1 July–31 December 2003, and on 28 September 2005 (non-standard form).

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

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

[6] Article 7 Report (for the period 1 July–31 December 2003), Form B. 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. The stockpile initially declared consisted of eight types or variants of mines from China, Singapore, Taiwan, and the US: m2A1 (474), m2A3 (179), M16 (4,086), M16A1 (16,440), M16A2 (20,146), M16E3 (278), VS-50 (4,450), and GLD-112 (2,422).

[7] Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2007), Form G. The destroyed mines were m2A1/A4, M16A1/A2, M16E3, VS-50, and GLD-112. The report does not provide the number of each type.

[8] Article 7 Report, (for calendar year 2008) Form D. The form states “Unchanged from last reporting.” The mines are stored at the National Guard warehouse at Palodia village near Limassol and are used by CYMAC. 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. While the 1,000 figure has remained the same since 2003, Cyprus changed the composition in the 2006 report to 200 M16 mines and zero M16E3 instead of 100 M16 and 100 M16E3.

[9] Email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[10] Interview with delegation of Cyprus, intersessional Standing Committee meetings, Geneva, 5 June 2008. The delegation also noted Cyprus can retrieve mines from its minefields and use these for training purposes.

[11] UN, “Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2009,” New York, November 2008, p. 147.

[12] Statement of Cyprus, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 28 May 2009; and email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2009.

[13] Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2008), Form C.

[14] Email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2009.

[15] Email from Michael Raine, Program Manager, MAC-C, 3 April 2009.

[16] Landmine Monitor media monitoring from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008; email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009; and email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[17] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 323; “Landmine victim helping Cyprus become mine free,” Reuters (Larnaca), 4 April 2008, www.reuters.com; email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009; and email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[18] “Saddam army general finally felled by Cyprus mine,” AFP (Larnaca), 17 April 2008. MAC-C recorded only one casualty on 5 December 2008 (one man injured). Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009; and email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[19] “Urgent appeal for money to compete de-mining drive,” Cyprus-Mail (Nicosia), 30 December 2008, www.cyprus-mail.com; email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009; and email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[20] “Cyprus demining may end in Jan due to lack of funds,” Reuters (Nicosia), 29 December 2008, www.reuters.com; and email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009.

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

[22] Landmine Monitor media monitoring from 1 January 2009 to 31 May 2009; email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009; and telephone interview with Michael Raine, MAC-C, 1 July 2009.

[23] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 383; and Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 765.

[24] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 383. As this was a suicide, it does not fit within the Landmine Monitor definition of a mine/ERW casualty, and was thus not counted in the 1999–2008 total.

[25] See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 706.

[26] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 319.

[27] UN, “Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2009,” New York, November 2008, p. 147.

[28] See Alison Chandler, “Impact Assessment, European Union (EU)-Funded Landmine and Ordnance Clearance Programme Cyprus,” Mines Advisory Group, April 2008; and Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 320.

[29] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, pp. 319–320; and email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2009.

[30] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 319.

[31] Republic of Cyprus, “Contribution of Cyprus to a Mine-Free World – National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, p. 18, www.mfa.gov.cy.

[32] Article 7 Report (for the period 1 July to 31 December 2003), Form J.

[33] Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, “Social Welfare Services,” www.mlsi.gov.cy.

[34] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 324; and Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, “Pancyprian Council for the Persons with Disabilities,” www.mlsi.gov.cy.

[35] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 320; email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 3 April 2009; and email from Daniel Eriksson, Section Head, Information Management, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, 29 June 2009.

[36] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009.

[37] Email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[38] “Cyprus demining may end in Jan due to lack of funds,” Reuters, Nicosia, 29 December 2008, www.reuters.com; and email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 3 April 2009.

[39] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 3 April 2009.

[40] UN, “Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2009,” New York, November 2008, p. 147.

[41] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 320.

[42] Ibid, p. 321.

[43] Ibid, p. 322; UN, “Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2009,” New York, November 2008, p. 147; and email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 3 April 2009.

[44] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 3 April 2009.

[45] Email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2009.

[46] Ibid.

[47] “Cyprus demining may end in Jan due to lack of funds,” Reuters, Nicosia, 29 December 2008, www.reuters.com; and UN, “Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2009,” New York, November 2008, p. 147.

[48] See, for example, Statement of the ICBL, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 28 May 2009.

[49] Email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2009.

[50] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009; and email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[51] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009.

[52] Ibid.

[53] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 323.

[54] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009.

[55] Email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[56] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009.

[57] Article 7 Report, Form I, April 2007; Article 7 Report, Form I, April 2006; Article 7 Report, Form I, 22 April 2005; and Article 7 Report (for the period 1 July to 31 December 2003), Form I.

[58] Email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[59] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 324.

[60] Ibid, p.323.

[61] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 319; and Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 383.

[62] Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2008), Form I; and Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2007), Form I.

[63] Article 7 Report, April 2007.

[64] See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 324.

[65] Article 7 Report (for the period 1 July to 31 December 2003), Form J; Republic of Cyprus, “Contribution of Cyprus to a Mine-Free World – National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, p. 18, www.mfa.gov.cy; and Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 384.

[66] Ibid.

[67] Email from Panayiotis Papadopoulos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 April 2009.

[68] Ibid.

[69] Ibid; and email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 31 March 2009.

[70] Ibid.

[71] US Department of State, “2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Cyprus,” Washington, DC,
25 February 2009.

[72] Ibid.

[73] Ibid.

[74] “UN official optimistic Cyprus to be mine-free in a few years,” Financial Mirror (Nicosia), 7 April 2006,
www.financialmirror.com.

[75]“Funding shortfall could end mine operation,” UPI (Nicosia), 30 December 2008, www.upi.com.

[76] Republic of Cyprus, “Contribution of Cyprus to a Mine-Free World – National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, p. 17, www.mfa.gov.cy.

[77]Email from Lt. Gennaris Andreas, Defence Policy Directorate, 24 June 2009.

[78] Republic of Cyprus, “Contribution of Cyprus to a Mine-Free World – National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, p. 17, www.mfa.gov.cy.

[79]Statement of Cyprus, Ninth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 27 November 2008.

[80]Statement of Cyprus, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 28 May 2009.

[81] Email from Laura Liguori, Desk Officer, Directorate-General for External Relations, EC, 19 March 2008; and EC, “Instrument of financial support to encourage the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community: Summary Project Fiche – 2006,” p. 12.

[82] Ibid.

[83]“Funding shortfall could end mine operation,” UPI (Nicosia), 30 December 2008, www.upi.com.

[84]“UK throws cash lifeline to Cyprus mines project,” Reuters, 22 January 2009. uk.reuters.com.