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Peacekeeping in Cyprus: UNFICYP (UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) Fact sheet released by the Bureau of International Organization Affairs U.S. Department of State, August 23, 2000

Key Dates

• Started: March 4, 1964 (UN Security Council Resolution 186)
• Current Mandate Expiration: December 15, 2000

Staffing

	Authorized	Actual (as of 6/01/00)
		Total	U.S.
Troops	1,273	1,242	0
Police	35	32	0

Financing (Regular peacekeeping assessments*)

	Total UN Cost	U.S. assessment (at 25%)
FY 1999	$23 million	$6 million
FY 2000	$26 million	$6.5 million
FY 2001 estimate	$26 million	$6.5 million

* Greece and the Greek Cypriots contribute approximately 50% of the total costs of UNFICYP. The remainder is financed through assessments.

Mandate

UNFICYP was created to help end violence between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. Since the de facto division of the island in 1974, UNFICYP has served as a buffer force between Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces on one side and the Greek Cypriot National Guard and Greek troops on the other.

U.S. Interests

UNFICYP has played a key role in preventing an outbreak of hostilities on Cyprus that could draw two of our NATO allies, Turkey and Greece, into war -- endangering the stability of both the immediate area and the greater Balkans-Aegean region.

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