N.Z. Police In Cyprus Did Not Fire A Shot

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30668, 6 February 1965, Page 1

N.Z. Police In Cyprus Did Not Fire A Shot

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 5.

Not a shot was fired by members of the New Zealand police party which returned from United Nations' peacekeeping duties in Cyprus this week, said the contingent leader (Senior-Sergeant G. Wells) today. Mr Wells, who held the temporary rank of inspector and later chief-inspector while overseas, said the tour of duty by the first New. Zealand contingent was incidentfree. A few killings, assaults and woundings were dealt with by members of the New Zealand unit, but the investigations were completely unspectacular.

Mr Wells said tension eased considerably about three

months after the arrival of the New Zealanders. However, he would not comment on the possibility of an early withdrawal of United Nations personnel. After about four months things became very quiet and the New Zealanders no longer carried firearms on their road-block duties. “I withdrew weapons because I could see no point in carrying them while policing the road-block,” Mr Wells said.

“Relationships between the Greek Cypriot police and the New Zealanders immediately became happier—to them it bore out that our presence was not a show of force." Weapons were still carried on country patrols.