Cyprus 60 years ago and the Hot summer continues.

Readers mail.....

From Anders Arvidsson, a Swedish former UN Peacekeeper....

Hello Chris,

Here is my article about another flash point which our Swedish UN contingent had to deal with in 1964 between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Have a nice weekend.

Anders

Cyprus 60 years ago and the Hot summer continues

During the Mid-summer severe fighting was going on in the Tillyria area and in the end, a cease-fire came after a few days and life returned to the “normal” tense situation.

Ulf Sjogren, who miraculously escaped the 400-bullet assault at Selemani on June 18th writes in his diary on June 26th:

“We got ordered this morning by the radio that all of us, except the ordinary guard group, should go to Mansoura. When we arrived there we were told to go to Mosphileri. It is a Greek village on a hill above Mansoura; and , they informed us that Archbishop Makarios would arrive in a UN helicopter. There were UN units on every hilltop. I came close enough to see Makarios and could take some photos. At about 13.00 P.M. he went back again.”

Another routine mission for the Swedish UN soldiers but let us see how the Swedish Commander Colonel Waern describes it in his book “Cyprus. Sweden’s opening UN actions 1964”

“After the troublesome fighting around the isolated Greek Cypriot village Mosphileri a Presidential visit in the same village was not something I longed for. However to deny it could be used for propaganda reasons. UNFICYP could be accused of not being able to protect the President of the country. I was ordered to escort the President at his visit.

The security at such a visit was impossible to make 100 percent sure. The village Mosphileri lay completely open and in full sight in a valley, with Turkish Cypriot posts on the hills around us at just 300 – 400 meters distance. With the superb rifles with telescopic sights the Turkish possessed, it would not be a problem to hit the President wherever he went in the village. The Swedish second company, responsible for Dillarga, were, almost entirely, posted in Mosphileri and on the surrounding heights in order to protect the President during his visit.  When I reported at the Presidential palace in Nicosia to escort Makarios I had presumed that he should have been more discreetly dressed for the trip.

Now he wore his traditional Chimney hat on his head, glittering golden cross on a chain around his neck and a golden crozier in his hand. He was the Archbishop not the President today. We were accompanied by the Minister of Interior, Georgiadjis and the presidential secretary. Since we were travelling by helicopter where the crew and the passengers were sitting in a plastic bubble it would be so easy from the ground to identify the glittering Archbishop on his heavenly tour. Especially I worried when we flew, too low in my mind, over the Turkish Cypriot Lefka. No less worrying was when we closed in at Mosphileri and I saw the male population of the village parading at the highest point of the village. They wear National Guard uniforms with shining steel helmets and a huge Greek flag in front. Not so discrete appearance and a true nightmare for me with the responsible for security.

The UN security was on full alert

My pain was prolonged during the lengthy speeches exchanged between the President and the village Mukthar. Makarios then walked slowly around the village with his golden glittering crozier in his hand and me beside him. He must have been recognizable in his characteristic silhouette miles away – and on top the fluttering Greek flag behind. He often provokingly asked: Can I go there? ”and I constantly answered “Yes, Your Beatitude.” even though I at several occasions had great doubts concerning his safety. If I had said No the President immediately to the media people following us, had explained the bad situation of the village and the incapacity of UN to protect him. In the end Makarios asked “Were are our posts closest to the Turkish Cypriots?”

I pointed out a hill where it was only 300 meter between the parts. Can I go there? He cunningly provoking asked. Of course I said, and crossed my fingers in a happy ending of our walk. We went up the hill and to the most forward Greek Cypriot guards. I could easily see the Turkish Cypriot shiny helmets and their rifle barrels in the trenches opposite where we stood.

I have to admit that he was a brave one. He did not get down for protection in this own trenches but stood in his full length behind them and exposed his full glittering body. I could not do less so I kept on standing beside him all the time he spoke with the National Guard soldiers down in their shelters. When I noticed movement among the weapons on the other side I thought what a World Wide scandal it would be if the President of Cyprus was shot down under UN escort and protection. But my thought also went; if they try to hit Makarios now they will probably also hit me. That would in that case be an easier scandal to UN to cope with. But regretful for me. It was with great relief when I heard him say. Let us go back to the village.

Coffee at the coffee shop and further discussions with the villagers.

“Now I want to go to Kato Pyrgos in Your jeep.” the President said again in a provocative way after the coffee My Jeep was available but there was nothing I could wish less. “Mr President after 200 metres we have to pass a Turkish Cypriot check point  and behind that is armed forces encamped, “ I said “ There I am not able to guarantee Your Beatitude’s safety. Makarios cried out.” What are you saying? Is the UN not able to guarantee the president's safety when he is on visits in his own country?” Now I am caught, was flying through my mind. But then I recalled a way out of this and said..

“President Kennedy had a security force of a couple of thousand men when he went by car in his own country and yet he got shot.” Makarios pondered that a while and then said

“Let us take the helicopter.”

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