Aussies on the green line

From London pubs to every far-flung corner of the globe, the easy-going Australian disposition has an unfaltering knack of winning hearts, minds and friends in even the most hostile situations. Needless to say it's also a vital asset to hundreds of federal and state police officers deployed in 36 overseas posts, including some of the world's most dangerous and critical peacekeeping missions.

Compared to Afghanistan and Sudan, Cyprus is considered one of the safest postings of the Australian International Deployment Group (IDG), however, the service it provides is no less vital to the UN's highly sensitive peacekeeping and settlement agenda.

Since arriving as part of the UN policing presence after the formation of UNFICYP in 1964, over 1,400 Australian police officers have served on the island, providing an essential link between Greek and Turkish Cypriot law enforcement agencies, while earning the respect and friendship of the small communities they serve within the UN controlled buffer zone.

From Kato Pyrgos on the northwest coast to Deryneia in the east, the 180km long zone separates the island's occupied north with the southern republic, along a line designated in accordance with the positions of Turkish and Greek Cypriot forces on the date of the 1974 ceasefire. Heavily guarded on both sides, some 30,000 or so people cross the zone's six designated crossing points between the north and south each week.

Covering approximately three per cent of the island, the largely agricultural area provides a home and/or work for over 10,000 civilians, scattered across the settlements of Deneia, Mammari, Athienou, Troulli, Lymbia and Pyla, the only village where Greek and Turkish Cypriots live side-by-side. 'Civilian use areas' are accessible to permit holders, such as farmers, and to buffer zone residents; the rest strictly off limits to anyone without UNFICYP authorisation.

An award ceremony for UN personnel held in the United Nations Protected Area, close to the site of Nicosia's old airport, offered an opportunity to meet some of the 15 officers currently serving with Australia's 96th Cyprus Contingent.

Second only in size to the Irish police presence, Australia is the longest continuous serving country of the nine represented in the seventy-strong UN police force (UNPOL) supporting the organisation's military presence and humanitarian Civil Affairs Branch.
Fresh from accepting his medal from Special Representative of the Secretary General/UNFICYP Chief of Mission, Mr Taye-Brook Zerihoun, Deputy Sector Commander, Sergeant Steve Bonnici summarises the role of UNPOL in Cyprus.

"Under the UN mandate we have what we call a three-pillar approach; the military look after the Turkish forces and National Guard, we look after the buffer zone as far as law and order is concerned, while Civil Affairs deals with what we call a 'return to normal conditions'," he explains, well-versed in UNFICYP history and policy from the briefings he regularly provides for new arrivals of UN military personnel.
In comparison to his previous deployment to the Sudan, the South Australian admits he's become accustomed to the island's climate and lifestyle. "Cyprus is lovely to be honest, it's very much like being at home," he says.