UNFICYP honours fallen peacekeepers

THE UNITED Nations Forces In Cyprus (UNFICYP) yesterday paid tribute to 172 of its members who lost their lives over the last 43 years while serving in Cyprus as part of its ceremony to mark International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

Addressing a gathering that included the advisers of President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali talat, Tasos Tzionis and Rasit Pertev, respectively, UN special envoy Michael Moller said: “We do well to remember that here in Cyprus, UNFICY, a mission often overshadowed by the news from more embattled and less peaceful contemporary peacekeeping operations, has its own record of lives lost and sacrifices made in the name of peace and the healing of this divided island.”

He added: “This year, we pay special tribute to the memory and sacrifice of the 172 members of UNFICYP who have died in the course of the past 43 years.

“Some of our UNFICYP colleagues fell in the fire of conflict. Most died as the result of accidents or illness. Whatever the causes, all died in the service of peace – far from home and loved ones.”
Moller said the unveiling of the plaque listing all 172 names was intended as a lasting tribute to their ultimate sacrifice, as well as a sign of respect and gratitude to them and their countries.

“What better way to remember and acknowledge the legacy of our fallen comrades and to show our gratitude to their friends and families than to dedicate this ceremony to re-committing ourselves and renewing our efforts to fulfil the task that brought them and us there in the first place – the reunification of this island through an agreed and comprehensive settlement,” he said.
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The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.