14 - The first decade

Summary

By June 1964, Unficyp had done much to contain military action and prevent a recurrence of open fighting. In addition to its traditional military functions, which were meant to deter a resumption of hostilities, it had also performed non-traditional roles: helping to restore public services, including the courts, and assisting trade and commerce by reopening factories and enabling agricultural work to continue. Moreover, it escorted the transportation of food, essential material, and people on the island’s roads, constructed shelters at refugee camps and reduced fortifications across Cyprus. In spite of this good work, however, its presence had not yet stopped communal violence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, nor had it made any progress towards disarming civilians.