Blue Beret Camp Explained

Blue Beret Camp
Type:Barracks
Map Type:Cyprus
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within Cyprus
Location:Cyprus
Ownership:Republic of Cyprus
Operator: United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
Built:1964
Used:1964-Present
Occupants:United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

Blue Beret Camp is a base camp and headquarters located at the former Nicosia International Airport on the west side of the city of Nicosia, on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, which forms the headquarters of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

History

The camp was established within the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus in 1964 to provide a command centre and residential accommodation for troops of the seven contingents serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus ('UNFICYP').[1] In 1972 Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General of the United Nations visited the camp[2] and in 2001 Bertie Ahern, the Irish Taoiseach, visited the camp.[3]

Wayne's Keep

Close by is Wayne's Keep, a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery that contains graves primarily for aircrew who died during the Second World War.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: British forces overseas posting: UNFICYP (Nicosia), Cyprus. Ministry of Defence. 27 September 2015.
  2. Web site: Secretary-General Arrives in Nicosia. 6 June 1972. UN Multimedia. 27 September 2015.
  3. Web site: Ahern hopes to meet SF on his return from tour. 10 January 2001. 27 September 2015.
  4. Web site: Return to Cyprus. Blue Beret. 2014. 10. 27 September 2015.