The United Nations Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was an international peacekeeping mission begun in 1964 and continuing into the 21st Century. The mandate of UNFICYP has been to prevent warfare on the island of Cyprus. Canadian contributed significantly to UNFICYP.

Background

From the official website of UNFICYP:

The Republic of Cyprus became an independent state on 16 August 1960, and a member of the United Nations one month later. The Constitution of the Republic, which came into effect on the day of independence, was intended to balance the interests of both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities. Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom entered into a treaty to guarantee the basic provisions of the Constitution and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cyprus.

: The application of the provisions of the Constitution, however, encountered difficulties from the very beginning and led to a succession of constitutional crises. The accumulated tension between the two communities resulted in the outbreak of violence on the island on 21 December 1963. On 27 December, the Security Council met to consider a complaint by Cyprus charging intervention in its internal affairs and aggression by Turkey. Turkey maintained that Greek Cypriot leaders had tried for more than two years to nullify the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community and denied all charges of aggression.

Establishment of UNFICYP

From the UNFICYP website:

On 15 Feb 1964, after all attempts to restore peace on the island had failed, the representatives of the United Kingdom and of Cyprus requested urgent action by the Security Council. On 4 March 1964, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 186 (1964), by which it recommended the establishment of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The Force became operationally established on 27 March 1964.; The mandate of UNFICYP was originally defined in the following terms: "�in the interest of preserving international peace and security, to use its best efforts to prevent a recurrence of fighting and, as necessary, to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions." That mandate, which was conceived in the context of the confrontation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in 1964, has been periodically extended by the Security Council.
: A coup d'�tat in Cyprus on 15 July 1974 by Greek Cypriot and Greek elements favouring union with Greece was followed by military intervention by Turkey, whose troops established Turkish Cypriot control over the northern part of the island. The Security Council called for a ceasefire and laid the basis for negotiations between Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom. A de facto ceasefire came into effect on 16 Aug 1974.

The Canadian Airborne Regiment was entangled in this military invasion.

Maintenance of Ceasefire and Military Status Quo

From the UNFICYP website:

Following the hostilities of July and August 1974, the Security Council adopted a number of resolutions which have affected the functioning of UNFICYP and have required the Force to perform certain additional functions relating, in particular, to the maintenance of the ceasefire. Following the de facto ceasefire, UNFICYP inspected the deployment of the Cyprus National Guard and the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces, and ceasefire lines and a buffer zone were established between the areas controlled by the opposing forces.
: The ceasefire lines extend approximately 180 kilometres across the island. The buffer zone between the lines varies in width from less than 20 metres to some 7 kilometres, and it covers about 3 per cent of the island, including some of the most valuable agricultural land. Strict adherence to the military status quo in the buffer zone, as recorded by UNFICYP at the time, has become a vital element in preventing a recurrence of fighting. UNFICYP maintains surveillance through a system of observation posts, and through air, vehicle and foot patrols.
: The task of UNFICYP is significantly complicated by the absence of a formal ceasefire agreement. As a result, UNFICYP is confronted with hundreds of incidents each year. The most serious incidents tend to occur in areas where the ceasefire lines are in close proximity, particularly in Nicosia and its suburbs. The Force investigates and acts upon all violations of the ceasefire and the military status quo. Its reaction in each case depends on the nature of the incident and may include the deployment of troops, verbal and written protests and follow-up action to ensure that the violation has been rectified or will not recur. In addition to maintaining the military status quo, UNFICYP must also preserve the integrity of the buffer zone from unauthorized entry or activities by civilians. As a result, UNFICYP has from time to time become involved in crowd control.

Operation SNOWGOOSE

Operation SNOWGOOSE was the name for Canada's participation in UNFICYP. This participation began in 1964 as a battalion-sized contingent of peacekeeping troops, whose mission was to help monitor the cease-fire between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The mission was maintained as a battalion sized contingent until 1993. Over 25,000 Canadian soldiers served as part of Operation SNOWGOOSE. Canada maintained a CF staff officer at UNFICYP headquarters in Nicosia after 1993 and into the 21st Century.

Rotations

Aug 87 - Mar 88 5e R�giment d'Artillerie L�g�re du Canada
Mar 88 - Aug 88 3 PPCLI
Aug 88 - Mar 89 Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Mar 89 - Sept 89 Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD)
Sept 89 - Mar 90 1 RCR
Mar 90 - Aug 90 2 PPCLI
Aug 90 - Mar 91 12e R�giment Blind� du Canada
Mar 91 - Aug 91 1 PPCLI
Aug 91 - Mar 92 2 RCR
Mar 92 - Aug 92 3 R22eR
Aug 92 - Feb 93 1 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA)
Feb 93 - Jun 93 2 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA)

Fatalities

Trooper Joseph H. CAMPBELL, Royal Canadian Dragoons, 31 Jul 1964
Lieutenant Kenneth E. EDMONDS, CD Canadian Intelligence Corps (att HQ, Nicosia Zone), 25 Dec 1964
Rifleman Perry J. HOARE, 1st Battalion, The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, 14 Aug 1965
Guardsman Joseph J.P. CHARTIER, 2nd Battalion, The Canadian Guards, 14 Mar 1966
Private Joseph P.E. BERNARD, 2nd Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, 9 Jul 1966
Trooper Lennard W. NASS, 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's), 27 Sep 1966
Corporal Otto J. REDMOND, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, 10 Mar 1967
Corporal Kenneth A. SALMON, Canadian Provost Corps, 24 Sep 1967
Private John A. LERUE, 2nd Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, 9 Feb 1970
Private Theodore J. HALL, CD 1st Battalion, TheRoyal Canadian Regiment, 31 Jul 1970
Corporal Perley C. ISENOR, 3 Service Battalion, Logistics Branch, 25 Oct 1970
Master Corporal Joseph R.M.J.P. LESSARD, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 1 Dec 1972
Corporal Aloysius ROACH, CD, Logistics Branch (att 2 RCR), 17 Feb 1974
Trooper J.L.Gilbert PERRON, The Canadian Airborne Regiment, 6 Aug 1974
Trooper J.J.Claude BERGER, The Canadian Airborne Regiment, 10 Sep 1974
Captain Ian E. PATTEN, CD The Royal Canadian Regiment, 1 Apr 1975
Private S.J. KOHLMAN, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, 11 Apr 1975
Captain Kenneth C. CRAWFORD, Canadian Forces Medical Service (att 3 PPCLI), 20 Dec 1975
Private D.R. KRIEGER, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 17 Aug 1976
Sergeant (R) J.R.Andre DUPONT, Logistics Branch, 8 Med Coy (att 12 RBC), 24 Mar 1977
Master Corporal J.D.G. McINNIS, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 30 Mar 1980
Private J.R.E. ARCHAMBAULT, 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment, 30 Nov 1981
Private A.J. PRINS, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 26 Sep 1982
Private M.D. WILSON, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 22 Jan 1983
Private Thomas J. TROTTIER, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 25 Apr 1988
Sergeant Donald L. KLOSS, 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 8 Apr 1993

Insignia

Canadian forces deployed to Operation SNOWGOOSE were distinguished by the use of UN blue headdress and cap badges; all vehicles were also painted white and marked with United Nations markings.

The UNFICYP Medal was awarded for 30 days service with UNFICYP between 27 Mar 1964 and 27 Mar 1965, and for a minimum of ninety days service after 27 Mar 1965.

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