Canadian veterans remember how they eased tensions as UN peacekeepers in ethnically split Cyprus

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — It was the first time that Canadian U.N. peacekeeper Michelle Angela Hamelin said she came up against the raw emotion of a people so exasperated with their country’s predicament.

Seared in her memory from her eight-month tour of duty on the ethnically divided Cyprus in 1986 was the fury of Greek Cypriot protesters demonstrating against the first-ever visit by a Turkish head of government to the island’s breakaway Turkish Cypriot north.

“I think that that was something that really stuck to my mind because of that anger and the people,” Hamelin told The Associated Press.

She was one of among 100 other Canadian veterans who travelled to Cyprus as part of commemorations that culminated Monday to mark the 60th anniversary of the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as UNFICYP, the longest such Canadian mission.

“This was the first time I was confronted with people that were really, really upset with their situation that they were in,” she said.

At the time, it had been a dozen years after a Turkish invasion — triggered by a coup aiming at union with Greece — sliced the island along ethnic lines and tensions were still high.

UNFICYP had been in place since 1964, a decade prior to the invasion, deployed to tamp down hostilities between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to prevent an all-out civil war.

Canadians were among the first to join the force and more than 28,000 would eventually serve with UNFICYP. Canada withdrew almost all its peacekeepers from UNFICYP in 1993, but a Canadian presence still remains.

Some 28 Canadians lost their lives in the line of duty on Cyprus.

Through most of 1986, it was Hamelin’s job as a driver to support patrols in the U.N.-controlled buffer zone that separated troops on either side of the divide in the medieval center of the capital, Nicosia, staying in the once luxurious Ledra Palace hotel that had been converted into a U.N. barracks.

The hotel’s bullet-pockmarked sandstone walls were a constant reminder that a flare-up in hostilities could never be ruled out.

"The Turkish side where I stayed was right there underneath my window at Ledra Palace ... you got bullet holes above your bed. There’s a possibility this could happen again,” she recalled.

It didn’t. Hamelin said her Canadian colleagues would often muster all their diplomatic skills with jittery soldiers to keep tensions from escalating.

Ronald Reginald Griffis could attest to that trademark, calm Canadian demeanor that earned the country’s peacekeepers a reputation for even-handedness and ability to quickly defuse tensions.

Griffis was one of the first Canadians to serve in UNFICYP back in 1964, and he recalled how he would employ that cool Canadian way to settle disputes along the so-called Green Line that separated Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot neighborhoods inside old Nicosia.

“One of the qualities was the quietness of the Canadians. They listened, or at least I listened. And then, you know, you talk it over. You try to explain things,” said Griffis, a native of Nova Scotia who now lives in Cottam, Ontario.

“I thought that they appreciated Canadians being there, and I think they trusted the Canadians doing what they can do,” he said.

More than 100 active-duty Canadian Armed forces personnel, dispatched to Cyprus to assist in possible evacuations of Canadians from nearby Lebanon, joined Hamelin, Griffis and other veterans for a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Canadian U.N. Peacekeeper Memorial inside the buffer zone near the Ledra Palace hotel.

Canada’s High Commissioner to Cyprus Anna-Karine Asselin said the size of the delegation at the commemoration event illustrated the “deep significance of the mission” for Canadian veterans.

“We pay tribute to their invaluable contribution to peace. We recognize the challenges they faced along the way,” Asselin said.

A few days earlier, Hamelin and Griffis had joined a tour of the buffer zone that brought many recollections.

Both spoke of the changes between Cyprus then and now — from donkey carts in Nicosia's streets in 1964 to a thoroughly modern European Union member state 60 years later.

But for Hamelin, no matter how much things have changed in Cyprus, they remain much the same.

“I see how built up this is now in Nicosia. But it’s still the same. We still have that division and it’s very, very ... in your face,” she said.

An old U.N helmet is seen with the red poppies is seen during a commemoration for the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veteran with the honors on his jacket stands during a commemoration for the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veterans stand commemorating the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veterans stand commemorating the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veterans stand commemorating the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veterans stand commemorating the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veteran Michelle Angela Hamelin lays a wreath at the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veteran Michelle Angela Hamelin is seen during a commemoration for the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veteran Ronald Reginald Griffis lays a wreath at the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veteran Ronald Reginald Griffis salutes during a commemoration for the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veteran Ronald Reginald Griffis, center, with others veterans, salutes during a commemoration for the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veteran Ronald Reginald Griffis salutes during a commemoration for the 60th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside a UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Coaches normally don't go for it on fourth-and-1 on their own 16-yard line when they're trailing 10-7 with 2 minutes to go in the first half.

However, when you're coaching against your younger brother on the opposing sideline, sometimes you have to be aggressive and go all in.

In the case of John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens, it ended up paying off big time.

Mark Andrews' 2-yard gain on a quarterback sneak not only allowed the Ravens to continue their drive, it ended up later turning into a touchdown that gave them the lead against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.

It also was the turning point in the Ravens' 30-23 victory that allowed John to remain unbeaten in three meetings against younger brother, Jim Harbaugh.

“The downside is you give them the ball at the 16-yard line. That’s the downside. But the upside, or the thought, is I really thought we could get it,” John Harbaugh said. "It led to a 93-yard drive and got us seven points; that was a big turning point in the game.”

Five plays after Andrews’ sneak, Jackson connected with Rashod Bateman on a contested catch for a 40-yard touchdown to give the Ravens a 14-10 lead with 24 seconds remaining in the first half.

“I think it was just discussions of what we were going to do, and I think the decision came down to just believing in the guys to go for a big fourth down," Andrews said. "It was a great play. There was a lot of great plays made on critical downs like that, and it’s a credit to the guys.”

John Harbaugh admitted after the game that playing his brother did factor into the decision.

“I’m not saying we’ll go for it all of the time either, but the overriding thing was who we were playing and the idea that you just have to try to hang on to possessions as long as you can, because they’re so good," he said.

The Ravens ended up converting the three times they went for it on fourth down. The other two came during a nearly seven-minute drive late in the third quarter and early in the fourth where Andrews caught a 6-yard pass in the back of the end zone to extend the Ravens' lead to 23-16.

The brothers shared a quick hug and handshake at midfield after the game. They also hugged at midfield and talked for a couple minutes during pregame warmups.

It was the first time since Super Bowl 47 in 2013 that the Harbaugh brothers faced off as NFL coaches.

The Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in New Orleans. The other regular-season game was a 16-6 Ravens victory over the Niners on Thanksgiving night in 2011.

Jim Harbaugh left San Francisco after the 2014 season to take over at his alma mater, the University of Michigan. Harbaugh coached at Michigan for nine seasons and won the national title last season before being hired by the Chargers.

“It’s just cool to be at this level, to be at the highest level in these competitive environments,” Jim Harbaugh said. “I congratulated him on the victory, and then, love you.”

Players on both teams last week tried to downplay the hype surrounding the Harbaugh Bowl, but the Ravens were reveling in the victory when it was over.

“I just know our Harbaugh is 3-0,” said linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who played for the Chargers in 2022.

John Harbaugh after the game also noted trying not to get caught up in the hype, while trying to reiterate that the game was determined by the players.

“It’s an amazing thing to look back to where we are from where we came. We had different paths. We grew up in the same room and have always lived our life side by side, but that’s not what the game is about,” he said. "The game really is about the players, and the players are always going to win the game or lose the game or whatever. I have so much respect for the players. Jim is the same way. We both try to treat our players with great respect, admiration and love, because that’s how we feel about them.”

Their parents, Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on Monday. They attended the first two games between the brothers, but are spending Thanksgiving week in Bradenton, Florida, at their daughter Joanie’s house.

“I called and wished them happy wedding anniversary. I know Jim did the same. Jim and I texted back and forth before the game a little bit,” John said. "When you’re blessed enough to have parents who get along so well, love each other and are married for 63 years it gives you a good idea how it is supposed to work.

“It’s tough. They’re 100% happy and 100% disappointed at the same time. If you can imagine that, that’s how they feel right now.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, right, hugs his brother Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh before an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh walks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh answers questions after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh answers questions after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, left, hugs Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh after an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, right, talks to his brother, Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, before an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, right, shakes hands with his brother, Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, before an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)