A MOLO’s Job in UNFICYP

The MOLO is the very first step between the opposing forces and the UN. The guiding principle of UNFICYP says that arising problems must be solved on the lowest level possible, and the MOLO’s level is the first step towards their solution. It follows that the MOLOs need to have a proper sense of diplomacy, background knowledge and of course, a good command of English, among others because in every case, the MOLO teams are composed of soldiers of several nations, and their work requires significant coordination with the other UN troops and policemen serving in their area of responsibility.

In carrying out their duties, Military Observer and Liaison Officers supervise compliance with the arrangements of an Aide Memoire approved in 1974 by the UN Security Council. In plain language, this means that he continuously analyses the current situation while monitoring the area and the opposing forces’ positions, paying special attention to the weaponry and the number of troops serving there. Insofar as a MOLO observes any discrepancy between the arrangements of the Aide Memoire and the real-world situation, he immediately requests an explanation from the side assigned to him and also from the opposing side through the respective liaison officer.

The MOLO keeps contact with the commander and the liaison officer of a given unit assigned to him. Through this contact, he informs his counterpart on the opposing side about the events of interest to him. He organizes, conducts and documents the meetings between the sector commander and the commander of the unit, and makes proposals to help the sector commander with making decisions and conducting negotiations.

Photos by the author and archives