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Craig, whose new Bond movie Spectre comes out later this
month, spent two days in Cyprus as part of his U.N.-mandated
role as global advocate against the use of landmines and
explosives.
A 180-km (115-mile)ceasefire line slicing through Cyprus is
laced with landmines, even though the United Nations have
removed thousands over the years.
"I very much hope that I will be the first and last Global
Advocate to see landmines on this beautiful island," the United
Nations mission in Cyprus quoted Craig saying in a news release.
Craig visited an active minefield close to the ceasefire line
splitting Cyprus on Monday, only recently identified by
peacekeepers.
"Witnessing the potential impact that mines can have on people
and communities, years after the end of conflict, brings home
the humanitarian importance of the UN’s de-mining efforts in
Cyprus," Craig said.
Over the last decade United Nations de-miners have removed over
27,000 landmines from the UN buffer zone in Cyprus. A total of
74 minefields or 9.7 square kilometers of land have been cleared
throughout the buffer zone.
The UN estimates that thousands of landmines still remain in
Cyprus and large areas of land could still be contaminated by
mines and unexploded ordnance.
Cyprus was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after a brief
coup by militant Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece.
(Reporting By Michele Kambas; editing by Ralph Boulton)
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