Key developments since May 2005: A national plan for the implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, including stockpile destruction and mine clearance, was finalized in August 2005. Cyprus destroyed 11,000 antipersonnel mines in 2005 and another 18,000 were slated for destruction in 2006. In May 2006, Cyprus made known its positions on certain matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Mine Ban Treaty. Clearance of National Guard minefields in the buffer zone was completed in July 2005. In August 2005, an agreement was reached to clear Turkish forces’ minefields inside the buffer zone. As of April 2006, 20 of the 48 minefields in the buffer zone had been cleared, with the release of more than 900,000 square meters of land. Cyprus reported the destruction of 237 antipersonnel mines in two Republic-controlled mined areas outside the buffer zone in 2005.
The Republic of Cyprus became a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty on 1 July 2003, having signed it on 4 December 1997 and ratified it on 17 January 2003. Cyprus states that domestic implementation of the treaty is achieved through the legislation adopted for ratification.[1] Penal sanctions of a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine of CYP1,500 (about US$3,200) or both are included in the Law Concerning Explosive Materials.[2] Implementation of treaty obligations has been delegated to the National Committee for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention and to the Cyprus Mine Action Centre. The committee prepared the National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention, including both stockpile destruction and mine clearance, which was finalized in August 2005.[3]
Cyprus submitted an annual Article 7 transparency report on 28 April 2006, reporting on calendar year 2005. It used voluntary Form J to note mine action contributions, and to detail National Guard minefields in the buffer zone. Cyprus had previously submitted two Article 7 reports.[4]
Cyprus attended the Sixth Meeting of States Parties in Zagreb, Croatia in November-December 2005 and made statements on stockpile destruction and mine clearance.
At the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in Geneva in May 2006, Cyprus made a presentation to the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, detailing Cyprus’ achievements and further plans in regard to stockpile destruction and mine clearance. It stated that one of the difficulties for treaty implementation was cooperation with Turkish authorities responsible for mine clearance in the northern part of the island.[5] Cyprus made a similar statement at the Standing Committee meetings in June 2005.[6]
In May 2006, Cyprus made known its positions on certain matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Mine Ban Treaty. In a letter to Landmine Monitor, it stated: “The meaning of the term ‘assist’, which is included in Article 1 of the Convention, should be interpreted thus: (a) It prohibits the storage of anti-personnel mines in the territory of another state, in which that state exercises its jurisdiction; (b) It prohibits the transshipment of anti-personnel mines by states not parties to the Convention, through the territory of states that have ratified the Convention; (c) It prohibits common military exercises of states parties to the Convention with the armed forces of states that have not ratified the Convention.” In regard to Article 2 and the issue of antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes or antihandling devices, Cyprus said it “does not possess any anti-vehicle mines, or mines of the Claymore type.” With respect to Article 3 and the permissible number of mines retained for training, “Cyprus believes that they must not exceed the amount of 10,000, though the desirable number is around 1,000.”[7]
Cyprus ratified the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) Amended Protocol II on 22 July 2003. It attended the Seventh Annual Conference of States Parties to the protocol in November 2005 and submitted a national annual report in accordance with Article 13.
In April 2006, on the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, in cooperation with the Mine Action Centre, organized a mine awareness demining demonstration in the buffer zone in Nicosia. The event was attended by representatives of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot political parties, diplomatic missions and the European Commission.
Cyprus maintains that it has never produced or exported antipersonnel mines.[8] In its initial Article 7 report, Cyprus declared a total of 48,475 stockpiled antipersonnel mines, before the destruction program started in December 2003.[9] The stockpile consisted of eight types or variants of mines from China, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States.[10] Cyprus reported destroying 4,368 mines between December 2003 and December 2004.[11] It reported destruction of 11,000 stockpiled antipersonnel mines in 2005.[12]
At the Standing Committee meetings in May 2006, Cyprus confirmed that it would meet its treaty deadline of 1 July 2007 for completing destruction of all stockpiled antipersonnel mines; 18,000 mines would be destroyed in 2006 and 15,548 mines in 2007.[13]
At the end of 2005, the stockpile was reported as totaling 33,548 antipersonnel mines comprising: M2A1; M2A3; M16; M16A1; M16A2; M16E3; VS-50; and GLD-112.[14]
Stockpiled mines are destroyed by open detonation at the Xintous Military Testing Range at Vizakia village and at the Kalo Chorio Military Testing Range in Larnaca district. Approximately 15-20 mines are detonated at a time, at intervals during the day. National safety standards are based on National Guard regulations and are similar to international standards for humanitarian demining.[15]
Cyprus has retained 1,000 antipersonnel mines for training and development purposes under Article 3 of the treaty. They are stored at the National Guard warehouse at Palodia village near Limassol and are used by the Cyprus Mine Action Centre. The total retained is made up of 100 of each of the following types: M2A1; M2A3; M16; M16A1; M16A2; plus M16E3; plus 200 each of VS50 and GLD-112.[16]
During the May 2006 intersessional meetings, Cyprus stated that the retained mines are used for training National Guard personnel and that the mines may be used for testing new detection equipment in the future.[17] However, Cyprus has yet to provide details on the intended purposes and actual uses of its retained mines and none have been consumed. Cyprus did not utilize the new expanded Form D on retained mines agreed to by States Parties at the Sixth Meeting of States Parties in December 2005.
A heavily mined buffer zone has divided Cyprus geographically and politically since 1974 when Turkish forces took control of the north of the island. Minefields were laid inside and outside the buffer zone by both the Greek Cypriot National Guard and Turkish forces. The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has military responsibility for all activities inside the buffer zone. Initially, UNFICYP counted 101 minefields and suspected mined areas on the island. Of these, 48 were located in the buffer zone and 53 outside, although many are less than one kilometer from the buffer zone.[18]
Following clearance operations from November 2004 to July 2005, Cyprus reported that all National Guard minefields in the buffer zone had been cleared and that the National Guard demining program in the buffer zone was complete.[19] However, according to the international Mine Action Centre in Cyprus (MAC-C), one additional National Guard minefield remains inside the buffer zone and another partially inside, in the Laroujina area. The Republic of Cyprus believes that these minefields are outside the buffer zone. The discrepancy stems from a disagreement concerning the boundaries of the buffer zone,[20] although there is no dispute as to the physical location of the minefields.[21] According to UNFICYP, 31 minefields remained in the buffer zone at the end of 2005, of which 28 were laid by Turkish forces, and three were of unknown origin.[22] UNFICYP had previously recorded 26 minefields laid by Turkish forces, but two additional suspected mined areas were identified during 2005.[23]
Outside the buffer zone, in Republic-controlled territory, there were 23 minefields containing 4,653 antipersonnel mines, according to the National Plan. This shows 18 minefields containing 4,318 antipersonnel mines remaining at the start of 2005.[24] In its 2006 Article 7 report, Cyprus stated that the minefields were located near the communities of Dali, Lympia, Pyla, Athienou, Louroutzina, Geri, Trouloi and Potamia.[25]
A National Committee responsible for the full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty was established in May 2003, involving the ministries of defense, foreign affairs, justice and public order. In August 2005, the committee finalized a national plan for implementation of the treaty, which includes “stockpile destruction, the buffer zone, Government-controlled areas....” The government of Cyprus reported that in 2005, the National Committee had met every three months in order to review the progress of the implementation plan.[26]
There are two mine action centers in Cyprus. In 2003, the National Guard General Staff established the Cyprus Mine Action Centre (CYMAC) under the command of the Engineer Corps. CYMAC’s responsibilities include implementation of the obligations arising from the Mine Ban Treaty and CCW Amended Protocol II. CYMAC has a small capacity of 15 deminers for clearance of mined areas outside the buffer zone. Mine-related information is stored in a database at CYMAC headquarters, and can be accessed by both the Commander of CYMAC and the Engineers Corps Commander. [27] The government reported that the National Guard used “national safety standards according to National Guard regulations, similar to international standards for humanitarian demining.”[28] According to the second, the international Mine Action Centre, however, “The National Guard has confirmed the NG work according to military standards based on NATO standards and not IMAS.”[29]
Demining in the buffer zone is supervised by the Mine Action Centre in Cyprus (MAC-C), which operates under the Partnership for the Future Programme (PFP) and is implemented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Since its formation in 2004, MAC-C has provided planning, coordination and monitoring capabilities to demining operations in the buffer zone, as well as coordination with UNFICYP, the Republic of Cyprus, Turkish forces and the European Union. Three international staff and a Greek Cypriot work at the MAC-C, which also has liaison officers from the National Guard and Turkish forces.[30]
The PFP project aims to maximize confidence-building measures and to open additional crossing points between the two communities separated by the buffer zone. It started in 2002 when Cyprus contacted UNFICYP with a view to clearing National Guard minefields inside the buffer zone. The UN Mine Action Service conducted an assessment mission, which led to the creation of the UN Mine Action Cell (UNMAC) to oversee clearance of the buffer zone. UNMAC was renamed the Mine Action Centre in Cyprus in August 2005.[31]
The Republic’s strategic planning for fulfillment of its Article 5 obligations to destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas is contained in the National Plan finalized in August 2005. This indicates that, of the original 23 minefields in Republic-controlled territory outside the buffer zone, five had been cleared before 2005. The Plan includes an annual timetable for the clearance of the 18 remaining minefields containing 4,318 antipersonnel mines; two were to be cleared in 2005 and two more in 2006, leaving the remaining 14 minefields containing a total of 3,801 antipersonnel mines to be cleared by the Article 5 deadline of 1 July 2013.[32] At the May 2006 Standing Committee meetings, Cyprus’ representatives outlined this timetable.[33]
Within the buffer zone, the first phase of the PFP project started in November 2004 and consisted of the clearance of National Guard minefields. It initially referred to seven minefields and one suspected area; however, another four areas were handed over by the National Guard for clearance in 2005 in Skouriotissa, Mia Milia, Kato Pyrgos and near Astromeritis-Zodia. Phase 1 of the project was completed by the end of July 2005. An additional suspected area was identified in Kato Pyrgos, which the survey in April 2006 determined not to be contaminated.[34] Clearance of the minefields and suspect areas, which facilitated the opening of the Astromeritis-Zodia crossing point, was a major achievement, according to the MAC-C project manager. Demining of the Zodia crossing point prior to construction work enabled increased bi-communal exchange.[35]
Phase 2 of the clearance project, entitled “Turkish forces minefields and other minefields,” started in August 2005, after the Turkish forces reached agreement with UNFICYP on the clearance of minefields laid by Turkish forces in the buffer zone in and around the city of Nicosia. In 2006, the project focused on the clearance of 13 minefields laid by Turkish forces in and around Nicosia; four of them had been cleared by April. MAC-C hopes that once clearance of those minefields is complete, Turkish forces will permit the clearance of more of its buffer zone minefields. [36]
Operations in the buffer zone are carried out according to IMAS, which have been developed into safety guidelines on which contractors based their standing operating procedures. CYMAC and Turkish forces assist by supplying explosives to destroy mines, and by providing a demolition center and samples of mines that may be located. MAC-C uses the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) for operations in the buffer zone, and makes data available on request. The IMSMA system was updated in February 2005 and the latest version (version 4) was due to be installed in May 2006.[37]
The Republic of Cyprus believes that Turkey is responsible for clearing mines in territory north of the buffer zone, which has not been under the Republic’s jurisdiction or control since the mines were laid by Turkish forces in 1974. In its national implementation plan, Cyprus states, “Under her obligations arising from the Ottawa Convention, Turkey is responsible for the clearing of all minefields in the occupied part of Cyprus as well as those laid down in the buffer zone by the Turkish Armed forces, since under Article 4 and 5, the scope of jurisdiction of the Convention is not restricted to the national territory of the contracting party.”[38]
According to Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Cyprus must destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but no later than 1 July 2013. At the Sixth Meeting of States Parties, the Cyprus representative stated that, “Cyprus is exerting every effort to meet its obligation to clear all antipersonnel mines’ minefields [sic] by June 2013 in compliance with its treaty obligations.”[39] The National Plan is based on the Article 5 deadline (latest date) rather than on the obligation to clear mined areas “as soon as possible;” clearance of the 16 remaining minefields, containing the relatively small total of 4,081 antipersonnel mines, was scheduled to take place from the start of 2006 up to the 1 July 2013 deadline. Previously, progress in clearing minefields outside the buffer zone in government-controlled areas has been slow. Only 572 antipersonnel mines were destroyed in mined areas in 2004 and 2005.[40] In 2004 and 2005 combined, Cyprus destroyed only 14 percent of all antipersonnel mines emplaced in government-controlled mined areas. In 2006, it was planned to clear two mined areas.[41]
Demining operations in the Republic-controlled areas are implemented by the 15 CYMAC deminers using manual methods. In the buffer zone, demining is conducted by ArmorGroup using three manual clearance teams and two mine detection dog teams, and Mines Advisory Group conducted quality management with three quality assurance team members.
No comprehensive survey has been conducted, since access to some areas is restricted by forces in the north, according to MAC-C. In 2005, technical survey of suspected mined areas was conducted in the buffer zone on over 181,493 square meters of land, while another 86,155 square meters of suspected area were cancelled as being uncontaminated.[42] The National Plan notes that all mined and mine-suspected areas in government-controlled territory have been identified and perimeter-marked, fenced and marked, as required by Article 5 of the treaty.[43]
According to the government, all National Guard minefields outside the buffer zone are fenced and marked with warning signs and monitored by troops.[44] In addition, a number of houses within the Greek Cypriot sector of Nicosia have been fenced-off and marked as booby-trapped.[45]
In the buffer zone, an estimated 85 percent of the minefields are not fenced in accordance with IMAS; most of the 15 percent that are fenced are located along the UNFICYP patrol track. However, those areas are not accessible to the public as the buffer zone is a controlled area. According to UNFICYP, it is not possible to fully fence all areas, as Turkish forces in the north restrict access to certain areas. MAC-C notes that all newly identified suspected dangerous areas within the buffer zone are fenced in accordance with IMAS.[46]
The Republic of Cyprus reported the destruction in 2005 of 237 antipersonnel mines in two government-controlled minefields outside the buffer zone in the Lymbia and Dhali areas over an area of 11,000 square meters.[47] In 2006, Cyprus planned to clear 280 antipersonnel mines from two minefields within an area of 18,000 square meters.[48] In 2004, Cyprus reported the destruction of 335 antipersonnel mines in mined areas.[49] In both June and November 2005, Cyprus stated that approximately 505 antipersonnel landmines had been removed and destroyed from six minefields in government-controlled areas; the June 2005 statement referred to clearance “until now,” suggesting that this was the total of all government clearance as of that date.[50] Cyprus reports that the land cleared is mainly agricultural, and that it is returned to the legal owner after clearance.[51] Asked to confirm whether government-controlled mined areas contain antivehicle mines in addition to antipersonnel mines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Landmine Monitor that, “There are no antivehicle mines in the Republic of Cyprus.”[52]
MAC-C reported that, by the end of 2005, the clearance of 16 minefields and/or dangerous areas within the buffer zone had been completed; 12 of them were National Guard minefields and four were unclaimed. The clearance of another four minefields (Turkish) was completed by April 2006. As well as facilitating the opening of new crossing points between the two communities, demining in the buffer zone is releasing agricultural and urban areas (including house clearance) to the population.[53]
Inside the buffer zone, mine clearance released 171,265 square meters in 2005 while 58,426 square meters were released by battle area clearance. During that process, 616 antipersonnel mines, 451 antivehicle mines and six pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO) were cleared and destroyed. In total, 497,339 square meters were released to the population in 2005 through a combination of clearance and survey operations.[54] Between November 2004 and June 2005, operations inside the buffer zone achieved the clearance of 294,118 square meters and 2,063 mines.[55]
From November 2004, when clearance operations in the buffer zone started, to 31 March 2006, 20 minefields covering an area of 915,097 square meters were cleared. This includes 390,968 square meters released through technical survey, 86,155 square meters cancelled, 154,461 square meters manually cleared, 142,722 square meters cleared using mine detection dogs and battle area clearance covering an area of 140,791 square meters. In total, 976 antipersonnel mines, 1,336 antivehicle mines and seven UXO were cleared and destroyed.[56] The areas cleared and released include Nicosia, Kaimakli, Kokkinokremmos, Dhenia, Ayios Dhometios, Kato Pyrgos, Lefka, Zodhia, Skouriotissa and Omorphita.[57]
Once mine-affected land has been cleared in the buffer zone, it is handed over to the owner of the land along with a completion certificate, signed by MAC-C, UNFICYP and the National Guard or the Turkish forces’ liaison officer. MAC-C teams periodically visit landowners of mined areas where clearance has been completed to confirm usage of the cleared land as well as the confidence of the local population in using the cleared land.[58]
There were no demining accidents in 2005 and up to March 2006. All deminers are insured.[59]
The National Plan states that the total estimated cost for the destruction of antipersonnel mines, both those in stockpiles and those in minefields in areas under government control, is CYP475,000 (about $1 million); this will be met from national budget.[60]
Demining in the buffer zone is funded by the European Commission; €4 million ($5 million) was allocated in 2004 for PFP activities to fund clearance operations until June 2006. Canada and Slovenia provided additional funding.[61] In April 2006, the UN Secretary-General’s representative stated that, “ridding the buffer zone of mines will take an estimated €6 million more, while a further €5 million is required to achieve the ultimate goal of a mine-free Cyprus.”[62]
The International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) funding program in Cyprus was completed in 2004 after commencing that same year.[63] In 2004, about $275,000 was channeled through ITF for equipment to establish the program.[64] Previously, ITF had intended to channel $500,000 in US funding for mine action in Cyprus.[65] In 2004, the United States House Appropriations Committee recommended that up to that amount could be provided to the ITF for mine clearance activities in 2005.[66] However, the allocation of US funds was contingent on both the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey providing symbolic financial co-contributions. As of May 2006, the ITF had not received the US contribution and neither the Republic nor Turkey had contributed any funds to the ITF.[67]
In 2005 and to April 2006, no new mine casualties were reported in Cyprus. In 2004, there were two mine-related incidents, injuring one person.[68]
Those receiving invalidity or rehabilitation pensions, including mine survivors, get free medical assistance and rehabilitation. Cyprus does not have specific legislation for compensation for mine incidents, but the Ministry of Defence offers coverage to victims of mine incidents; both to the survivor and family members. Military personnel involved in demining accidents receive a special allowance, which is a lump sum of CYP50,000 (about $107,000) in case of a fatal accident. The Council of Ministers may also approve additional allowances to mine survivors and their families, if the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Finance recommend this.[69]
Some schemes are also in place to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities. There are four laws to protect the rights of people with disabilities: Rights of Persons with a Mental Handicap (1989); Providing for Persons with Disabilities (2000); Law on Special Education (1999); and Law 127 on the Employment of Persons with Disabilities (2002 and amended in 2004).[70] The Cyprus Federation of Organizations of the Disabled works for the integration and rights of people with physical disabilities in society.[71]
[1] Law No. 37 (III) 2002, “Law Ratifying the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.”
[2] Law No. 19 (1) 2005, “Law Concerning Explosive Materials of 2005.” Article 4 says: “A person who- a)Imports or tries to import, b) Produces or tries to produce, c) Sells or tries to sell or stockpile, d) Transfers or has in his possession, e) Exports or attempts to export, f) Transports or attempts to transport, g) Uses or attempts to use Any explosive material without being a license-holder or sanctioned...is guilty of a crime, and if he is convicted will result in his imprisonment which will not exceed ten years or to a fine which will not exceed 1,500 pounds or both these punishments.” Average exchange rate for 2005: US$1 = CYP0.46535, used throughout this report. Landmine Monitor estimate based on www.oanda.com.
[3] Interview with Lt. Col. Eleftherios Hadjistefanou, Ministry of Defence, and Eleni Apeyitou, Political Affairs Division (Multilateral Relations), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nicosia, 20 April 2005; telephone interview with Sotos Liassides, Director of Multilateral Affairs, Political Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2 August 2005.
[4] Previous reports were submitted in early 2004, for 1 July-31 December 2003 (there is no date of submission on this initial report), and on 24 April 2005, for calendar year 2004.
[5] Presentation by Maj. Andreas Gkougkouris, Head of Cyprus Mine Action Centre (CYMAC), Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 10 May 2006. The presentation drew a strong reply from Turkey’s representative.
[6] Presentation by Maj. Panayiotis Aresti, CYMAC, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 13 June 2005. See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 315, for details.
[7] Fax PD-MA/24.11.12.142 from Panayiotis Papadopoulos on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2006.
[8] The US government has identified Cyprus as a past producer, but Cyprus has denied it. See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 704.
[9] Article 7 Report, Form B, undated (for 1 July 2003-31 December 2003). In May 2003, Cyprus stated that its stockpile of antipersonnel mines totaled 48,615. The discrepancy has not been explained. Intervention by Maj. Theodoros Efthymiou, Director, CYMAC, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 14 May 2003. The April 2005 Article 7 report indicated a remaining stockpile of 44,107 mines as of the end of 2004, which (combined with the 3,927 destroyed mines) would indicate an initial stock of 48,034 mines. In 2006, however, CYMAC representatives informed Landmine Monitor that this was a mistake, and the correct number of mines stockpiled at the end of 2004 was 44,548, which (combined with the 3,927 destroyed mines) would indicate an initial stock of 48,475 mines. Interview with Maj. Andreas Gkougkouris and Maj. Iakovos Papageorgiou, CYMAC, Ministry of Defence, Geneva, 9 May 2006. The number of stockpiled mines totaling 44,548 at the end of 2004 was also indicated in Cyprus’ “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” undated but August 2005, Appendix B.
[10] The mines initially declared in the stockpile were: M2A1 (474), M2A3 (179), M16 (4,086), M16A1 (16,440), M16A2 (20,146), M16E3 (278), VS50 (4,450), and GLD112 (2,422).
[11] Stockpiled mines destroyed between July 2003 and December 2004: 1,168 M16; 552 M16A1; 344 M16A2; 82 M2A1; and 2,222 GLD-112. Article 7 Report, Form G, 24 April 2005. A total of 3,927 mines were destroyed in December 2003, and apparently another 441 during 2004. Article 7 Report, Form G, undated (for 1 July 2003-31 December 2003).
[12] Article 7 Report, Form G, 28 April 2006. The report does not give a breakdown of how many of each type of mine were destroyed. Cyprus also reported the 11,000 total in the May 2006 intersessional meetings. Presentation by Maj. Andreas Gkougkouris, CYMAC, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 10 May 2006.
[13] Presentation by Maj. Andreas Gkougkouris, CYMAC, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 10 May 2006.
[14] Article 7 Report, Form B, 28 April 2006. The report does not give a breakdown of how many of each type of mine remain in stock.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Article 7 Report, Form D, 28 April 2006. This information has not changed since the previous report.
[17] Oral statement by Cyprus, Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 12 May 2006. (Landmine Monitor notes).
[18] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 317.
[19] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Sotos Liassides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,17 March 2006; Article 7 Report, Form J, April 2006.
[20] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, Demining Project Manager, MAC-C, 27 March 2006.
[21] UN, “Country Profile: Cyprus,” www.mineaction.org, accessed on 20 April 2006.
[22] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006.
[23] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 317; email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 1 May 2006.
[24] Republic of Cyprus, “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, Appendix B.
[25] Article 7 Report, Form C, April 2006. The report gives the same locations for 14 National Guard minefields as were given in June and November 2005 for 23 National Guard minefields.
[26] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Sotos Liassides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 17 March 2006.
[27] Ibid.
[28] Article 7 report, Form F, April 2006.
[29] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006, and email of 3 May 2006.
[30] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006.
[31] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 1 May 2006.
[32] Republic of Cyprus, “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, Appendix B.
[33] Presentation by Maj. Andreas Gkougkouris, CYMAC, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 10 May 2006.
[34] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006, and email of 1 May 2006; interview with Iakovos Papageorgiou, Ministry of Defence, Geneva, 12 May 2006.
[35] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2005,” New York, 2006, p. 38; Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006.
[36] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006, and email of 1 May 2006.
[37] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006.
[38] Republic of Cyprus, “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, p. 15. A similar statement was made at the intersessional meetings in May 2006. Presentation by Maj. Andreas Gkougkouris, CYMAC, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 10 May 2006.
[39] Statement by Cyprus, Sixth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, Zagreb, 30 November 2005.
[40] Form G of the 2005 Article 7 report indicates that 335 mines were destroyed in 2004, and in its response to the Landmine Monitor Questionnaire in March 2006, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 237 mines were destroyed in 2005; response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Sotos Liassides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 17 March 2006.
[41] Republic of Cyprus, “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, Appendix B.
[42] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006.
[43] Republic of Cyprus, “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, p. 12.
[44] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Sotos Liassides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 17 March 2006; Article 7 Report, Form I, April 2006.
[45] UN, “Country Profile: Cyprus,” www.mineaction.org, accessed on 20 April 2006.
[46] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March, and email of 3 May 2006.
[47] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Sotos Liassides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 17 March 2006; Article 7 Report, Form G, April 2006.
[48] Maj. Andreas Gkougkouris, CYMAC, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 10 May 2006.
[49] Article 7 Report, Form G, 24 April 2005.
[50] Statement by Cyprus, Sixth Meeting of States Parties, Zagreb, 30 November 2005.
[51] Email from Sotos Liassides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 17 March 2006.
[52] Email from Sotos Liassides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2006
[53] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006.
[54] Ibid.
[55] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 319.
[56] Email from Michael Raine, MAC-C, 1 May 2006.
[57] “UN official optimistic Cyprus to be mine-free in a few years,” Financial Mirror, 7 April 2006.
[58] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Michael Raine, MAC-C, 27 March 2006.
[59] Ibid.
[60] Republic of Cyprus, “National Plan for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” August 2005, p. 17.
[61] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 319. Average exchange rate for 2004: €1 = US$1.2438, used throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[62] “UN official optimistic Cyprus to be mine-free in a few years,” Financial Mirror, 7 April 2006.
[63] ITF, “Annual Report 2005,” p. 21; ITF, “Annual Report 2004,” p. 59.
[64] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p.319.
[65] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p.383.
[66] House Report 108-599, Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Bill 2005, http://thomas.loc.gov, accessed 15 April 2005.
[67] Landmine Monitor interview with Iztok Hočevar, ITF, Geneva, 10 May 2006.
[68] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, pp. 319-320.
[69] Republic of Cyprus, “A Universal Point of Reference for the Implementation of the Ottawa Convention,” (undated), p. 18.
[70] Council of Europe, “Human Rights European Social Charter: Cyprus fact sheet 2005,” www.coe.int, accessed 27 April 2006.
[71] Mobility International USA,www.miusa.org, accessed 27 April 2006.