LM Report 2004

Cyprus

Key developments since May 2003: The Mine Ba Treaty entered into force for Cyprus on 1 July 2003. Cyprus states that domestic incorporation of the Mine Ban Treaty was achieved through the ratification legislation. Cyprus reported a stockpile of 48,475 antipersonnel mines and began destruction in December 2003. Cyprus has opted to retain around 1,000 antipersonnel mines. Cyprus established a Mine Action Committee and a Mine Action Center to deal with implementation of the treaty. In 2003, the Greek National Guard started clearance of three suspected minefields south of Lefka. The United Nations has initiated a project to start clearance in the buffer zone, but as of September 2004, agreement had not been reached with the Turkish Cypriot administration. Cyprus ratified CCW Amended Protocol II in July 2003.

Key developments since 1999: Cyprus ratified the Mine Ban Treaty in January 2003 and became a State Party on 1 July 2003. In 2002, the National Guard completed the clearance of two minefields outside the buffer zone, in the area of Pyla, totaling 36,000 square meters. It was reported in 2003 that in the last two years, the National Guard had destroyed 11,000 mines of various types in minefields. In June 2002, the UN Mine Action Service carried out an assessment of the mine situation in Cyprus.

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 attended preparatory meetings early in the Ottawa Process but did not attend the treaty negotiation conference in Oslo in September 1997. Cyprus linked its signing of the treaty in December 1997 to a desire “to reduce tension and promote mutual confidence” on the island.^[1] By early 2001, both Foreign and Defense Ministry officials were giving assurances of Cyprus’ intention to ratify soon, and in January 2002, the government introduced a bill to Parliament calling for early ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty.

Cyprus reports that it “integrated the Convention in its internal legal system” through the ratification legislation.^[2] Cyprus has not indicated if the penal sanctions required by Article 9 of the treaty exist already or will be created by new legislation. This question was last reported to be under consideration in April 2003.^[3]

In 2003, the Cyprus Mine Action Committee was created. Its includes representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior.^[4] The committee is tasked with preparing a national plan for the implementation of the treaty. In August 2003, Cyprus established the Cyprus Mine Action Center (CYMAC), based at the Karota military base in Nicosia, to deal with practical implementation of the treaty, such as demining and stockpile destruction.

As of late September 2004, the UN did not record receipt of Cyprus’ initial Article 7 transparency report due by 28 December 2003. Cyprus has indicated that it supplied an Article 7 report to the Implementation Support Unit in February 2004.^[5] This covers the period January–December 2003, and includes the optional Form J giving details of mined areas and the provision of assistance to mine victims. Landmine Monitor has a copy of the report.

Cyprus participated in the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in September 2003, where it associated itself with a statement delivered by Italy on behalf of the European Union.^[6] Cyprus has attended, as an observer, all annual meetings of States Parties since 1999, and has participated in intersessional Standing Committee meetings since May 2001. In January 2002, it reported on progress towards ratification and in May 2003 reported on preparations for implementation of the treaty. In February and June 2004, its delegation revealed details of the stockpile of antipersonnel mines (see later section).

On 2–3 December 2003, Cyprus hosted a series of events and meetings to launch the “Road to Nairobi,” preparing for the first Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty. President-designate Wolfgang Petritsch and Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams participated.

In December 2003, Cyprus voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 58/53, which calls for universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. Cyprus has voted for similar General Assembly resolutions since 1996.

Cyprus is a State Party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). It ratified the CCW Amended Protocol II on 22 July 2003, and attended the Fifth Annual Conference of States Parties to the Protocol in November 2003. Cyprus has attended, as an observer, previous annual conferences of States Parties to the Protocol.

Production and Transfer

Cyprus stated in December 1999 that it “neither produces nor transfers anti-personnel landmines.”^[7] At the Standing Committee meetings in May 2003, the delegation added that import of antipersonnel mines had also ceased.^[8] Antipersonnel mines were previously imported from China, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States, according to a press report.^[9]

Stockpiling and Destruction

In May 2003, Cyprus revealed that it possessed 48,615 antipersonnel mines.^[10] The Article 7 report indicated a total of 48,475 antipersonnel mines before stockpile destruction started in December 2003.^[11] The stockpile consisted of eight types or variants. It is stored at the National Guard warehouse in Palodia village near Limassol. The mines are: M2A1 (474), M2A3 (179), M16 (4,086), M16A1 (16,440), M16A2 (20,146), M16E3 (278), VS50 (4,450), and GLD112 (2,422).^[12]

The destruction program started on 2 December 2003 at the Xintous military range, with a ceremony coinciding with the preparatory meeting for the treaty Review Conference. A Cypriot mine survivor took part in destruction of the first mines. A total of 3,927 antipersonnel mines were destroyed.^[13] The destruction program is carried out by the Mine Clearance Platoon of the 70^th Engineer Battalion, and will continue at the Xintous and Kalo Chorio military ranges. Small quantities of mines will be destroyed by detonation on each occasion, in order to avoid environmental harm. The overall cost of the destruction program is estimated at about $1 million, giving a cost per mine of about $20.^[14]

Under the Mine Ban Treaty, the government of Cyprus has until 1 July 2007 to complete destruction of its antipersonnel mine stockpiles.

Cyprus has opted to retain some mines “for training in mine detection, mine clearance and mine destruction techniques.”^[15] A total of 1,000 mines will be retained.^[16]

Landmine Problem

Cyprus is divided by a heavily mined buffer zone dating from the occupation in 1974 of the north by Turkish forces. The buffer zone is 180 kilometers long, varies from 20 meters to seven kilometers in width, and occupies three percent of the island. There are also minefields extending beyond the buffer zone. In total, approximately 5 million square meters are contaminated with antipersonnel and antivehicle mines.^[17]

Cyprus reported in May 2003 that there were 11 minefields in the buffer zone laid by the Greek-Cypriot National Guard, containing 1,024 antipersonnel mines and 1,284 antivehicle mines.^[18] The draft Article 7 report identifies these minefields in four areas (Pyrgos, Mia Millia and Kokinotrimithia villages, and Nicosia airport) and as containing M2A3, Greek SOU, and unknown mines. It also reports three mine-suspected areas in the buffer zone near S. Lefka.^[19] Greek Cypriot minefields outside the buffer zone are near eight villages, and contain 4,653 antipersonnel mines (M2A3B4, M2A4, M16 and GLD112 types).^[20]

There are also 26 minefields in the buffer zone laid by Turkish forces, according to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) which supervises the buffer zone.^[21]

UNFICYP has military responsibility for all activities in the buffer zone. Military personnel from either side who enter the buffer zone are requested to leave. As a result, minefields within the buffer zone have not been maintained since being laid in haste in 1974, and are thought likely to be in a dangerous condition.^[22]

In April 2004, UNFICYP provided updated information: “Current records show a total of 101 minefields and suspect mined areas on the island. Of those, 48 are located in the Buffer Zone and 53 are outside, though many are less than 1000m from the BZ.”^[23] In June 2002, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) carried out an assessment, which identified the antivehicle mines present as the type M6A2 and possibly M15.^[24]

Cyprus’s draft Article 7 report states that all the National Guard minefields outside the buffer zone are fenced, marked with warning signs and monitored by troops.^[25] UNMAS reported that “the minefields have been laid according to NATO techniques. Minefields are either anti-personnel, anti-tank or mixed and are laid in standard patterned rows. Documents provided by the National Guard indicate that an irregular outer edge was not used.” All minefields visited by the UNMAS mission bordered on roads and had been marked by UNFICYP with warning signs attached to barbed wire fences supported by metal pickets. However, the minefields were not often marked all the way around, and it was unclear how far within the perimeter of the fencing the minefields extended.^[26]

Minefields under the control of the National Guard outside the buffer zone are also reported to be fenced and marked.^[27]

Mine Action Planning and Clearance

The UN Security Council has made a number of resolutions that address the clearance of mines within the buffer zone. Resolution 1062 of 1996 called upon the military authorities on both sides “to clear all minefields and booby trapped areas inside the buffer zone without delay as requested by the force.”^[28] Resolution 1251 of 1999 called upon “both sides to take measures that will build trust and cooperation and reduce tensions between the two sides, including demining along the buffer zone.”^[29]  Under the Mine Ban Treaty, the government of Cyprus has until 1 July 2013 to complete clearance of antipersonnel mines in areas within its jurisdiction and control.

In 1987, the National Guard established a special engineering unit to survey and “refurbish” minefields that were becoming non-operational, and to carry out rescue operations. There is one demining platoon of 14 personnel, using metal detectors and working to a clearance depth of 50 centimeters.^[30]

Since 1983, the National Guard has cleared ten minefields near the buffer zone, and these areas have been turned over to civilians. It was reported in 2003 that in the last two years, the National Guard had destroyed 11,000 mines of various types in minefields. In 2002, the National Guard completed the clearance of two minefields outside the buffer zone, in the area of Pyla, totaling 36,000 square meters.^[31] In 2003, it started clearance of three suspected minefields south of Lefka (UNFICYP Nos. 1845 and 1853), and southwest of Lymbia (No. 4397).^[32] In September 2004, UNFICYP was awaiting details of these clearance activities.^[33] In March 2004, the National Guard started clearance of two minefields near Pyla and Dali.^[34]In January 2002, the government of Cyprus consulted with UNFICYP to discuss clearance of National Guard minefields within the buffer zone. This led to the UNMAS assessment mission of June 2002. Although the government had declared that it was prepared to unilaterally clear its minefields in the buffer zone, it became apparent that clearance operations would have to deal also with Turkish minefields in the buffer zone. UNFICYP and UNMAS decided that a Mine Action Cell would be needed to manage and monitor the project. The European Union (EU) agreed to fund the UN Development Programme to employ a project manager/technical advisor.^[35]

Following the advisor’s report, fourteen companies were invited to bid for either clearance of the minefields or for quality management of the clearance. By September 2004, five companies had expressed interest in the clearance contract, and five for the quality management contract.^[36] In August 2004, the EU made available €2.5 million ($2.8 million) for mine clearance in Cyprus.^[37] According to press reports, Canada pledged $254,000, and the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance pledged to channel $500,000 from the United States.^[38]

Agreement from the administration in the Turkish-occupied north of the island was required before starting clearance of the buffer zone.^[39] As of September 2004, agreement had not been reached. Previously, in July 2003, the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had announced his willingness to discuss clearance of minefields in the north.^[40]

Mine Risk Education

The UNMAS mission reported that the mine threat in Cyprus poses minimal risk to the civilian population due to “the low number of minefields and small number of people living near the minefields. Moreover all minefields that were visited by the UNMAS mission have been in place for nearly 30 years. In addition there is little land pressure within the buffer zone as new arrivals are not permitted in the buffer zone and there have therefore been very few reported mine accidents.” Families living nearby have been educating their children to stay away from the mined areas and these efforts have been reinforced by other community members and local schools. The mission saw no need for mine risk education, but recommended that UNFICYP should monitor this in the event of population movements leading to an increase in risk.^[41]

Landmine Casualties and Survivor Assistance

In 2003, there was one mine casualty, when a Cypriot refugee from the Turkish-occupied north committed suicide on 14 August by walking into a clearly signposted minefield.^[42]

From January to August 2004, there were two mine-related incidents. On 3 April, a farmer’s tractor detonated an antivehicle mine on the perimeter of a partially-fenced minefield part of which is in the buffer zone. The farmer was reported not to be seriously injured. On 22 July, a fire engine ran over four antipersonnel mines in similar circumstances, but no casualties resulted.^[43]

Since 1999, there has been only one other reported mine casualty in Cyprus. 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.^[44] The most recent known death of a Greek Cypriot civilian was in 1997. 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.^[45]

Cyprus’s draft Article 7 report includes the voluntary Form J which notes that mine survivors receive free medical assistance and rehabilitation, ex gratia monetary compensation and a monthly disability allowance.^[46]

[1] Statement of Amb. Alecos Shambos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Treaty Signing Ceremony, Ottawa, 2–4 December 1997.
[2] Article 7 Report, Form A, undated (for calendar year 2003). Cyprus ratified the treaty by means of Law 37(III)/2002, 20 December 2002.
[3] Email from Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, 30 April 2003.
[4] Statement by Maj. Theodoros Efthymiou, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 12 February 2004.
[5] Interview with Maj. Theodoros Efthymiou, Director of Cyprus Mine Action Center, Geneva, 12 February 2004; and telephone interview with Maj. Efthymiou, 6 July 2004.
[6] Statement by Cyprus, Fifth Meeting of States Parties, Bangkok, 15–19 September 2003. Cyprus became a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004.
[7] Cyprus Response to OSCE Questionnaire, 9 December 1999, p. 2. The US government has identified Cyprus as a past producer, though Cyprus has denied it. See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 704.
[8] Intervention by Maj. Efthymiou, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education, and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 14 May 2003.
[9] Jean Christou, “Mines deadlock,” Sunday Mail, 21 January 2001.
[10] Intervention by Maj. Efthymiou, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, 14 May 2003.
[11] Article 7 Report, Forms B and G.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Article 7 Report, Form G. The types/variants destroyed were: M2A1 (82), M16 (727), M16A1 (552), M16A2 (344), and GLD112 (2,222).
[14] Statement by Maj. Efthymiou, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, 12 February 2004.
[15] Email from Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the UN in Geneva, 30 April 2003.
[16] Article 7 Report, Form D. Two hundred of the VS50 and GLD112 types will be retained, and 100 of each other type.
[17] UNDP, “Cyprus De-Mining Project – Overview,” 24 March 2004.
[18] Intervention by Maj. Efthymiou, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, 14 May 2003. An information booklet published by the National Guard Mine Action Center in 2003 states that there are eight National Guard minefields in the buffer zone and 23 minefields outside it.
[19] Article 7 Report, Form J.
[20] Ibid.
[21] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 546.
[22] Telephone interview with Capt. J.J. Simon, Mine Fields Records Officer, UNFICYP, 27 June 2000.
[23] Email from Michael Raine, De-mining Project Manager, Partnership for the Future, UNDP/UNOPS, 8 April 2004.
[24] UNMAS, “Inter-Agency Assessment Mission Report, Cyprus,” 8 August 2002.
[25] Article 7 Report, Form I.
[26] UNMAS, “Assessment Mission Report,” 8 August 2002.
[27] Intervention by Maj. Efthymiou, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, 14 May 2003, intervention by Cyprus, Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 3 February 2003 (Landmine Monitor notes).
[28] UN Security Council Resolution 1062, para. 6c, 1996.
[29] UN Security Council Resolution 1251, para. 5, 1999.
[30] Intervention by Maj. Efthymiou, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, 14 May 2003.
[31] National Guard Mine Action Centre, Information booklet, 2003.
[32] Email from Sgt. Cranley L. Hudson, Force Cartographer, UNFICYP HQ, 4 April 2003.
[33] Email from Michael Raine, UNDP/UNOPS, 3 September 2004.
[34] Email from Maj. Efthymiou, Special Advisor of Demining, National Guard, 11 May 2004.
[35] UNDP, “Cyprus De-Mining Project,” 24 March 2004.
[36] Menelaos Hadjicostis, “Private firms tender for buffer zone demining,” Cyprus Weekly, 27 June 2004, and Email from Michael Raine, UNDP/UNOPS, 3 September 2004.
[37] “EU aid package to rid Cyprus of landmines,” Financial Times, 7 August 2004; “EC funds Cyrus mine removal,” SBS (news agency), 5 August 2004. Exchange rate €1 = US$1.1315, used throughout. Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2004.
[38] “Slovene-run fund to carry out mine clearance in Cyprus,” STA (news agency) 3 December 2003; “Cyprus praised for landmine clearing program in UN-patrolled buffer zone,” Associated Press, 2 December 2003; Menelaos Hadjicostis, “Demining will have to wait until EU entry,” Cyprus Weekly, 16–23 January 2004; “Private firms tender for buffer zone demining,” Cyprus Weekly, 27 June 2004. The amounts of funding have varied between reports.
[39] Email from Michael Raine, UNDP/UNOPS, 12 July 2004.
[40] “Denktash says wants to clear mines littering Cyprus,” Reuters, 24 July 2003. See also Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 223.
[41] UNMAS, “Assessment Mission Report, Cyprus,” 8 August 2002.
[42] “Tragedy behind minefield death,” Kathimerini (Greek newspaper), 16 August 2004.
[43] Email from Michael Raine, UNDP/UNOPS, 3 September 2004.
[44] “Cyprus Submits Landmine-Clearing Plan to UN,” Xinhua, 23 January 2002; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 765.
[45] “Cyprus submits plan,” Xinhua, 23 January 2002.
[46] Article 7 Report, Form J.