ROTATIONS OF ABOUT NINE HUNDRED OFFICERS AND MEN WHO HAVE COMPLETED SIX MONTHS SERVICE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS FORCE IN CYPRUS BEGAN YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) WITH THE ARRIVAL IN NICOSIA OF 118 CANADIAN TROOPS. THEY WERE GREETED AT THE AIRPORT BY MR ARTHUR ANDREW, THE CANADIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER IN CYPRUS.

THE ROTATION WILL SEE THE DEPARTURE FOR HOME OF THE 1ST BATTALION, ROYAL 22ND REGIMENT AND THE RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOONS. THEY ARE BEING REPLACED BY THE 1ST BATTALION, CANADIAN GUARDS AND THE RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON, LORD STRATCHCONA'S HORSE (ROYAL CANADIANS).

THE AIRLIFT WILL BE COMPLETED IN EIGHT DAYS WITH ONE PLANE LOAD OF TROOPS BEING EXCHANGED DAILY. EACH PARTY STAYS ONE NIGHT IN NICOSIA BEFORE GOING TO THE AREAS PATROLLED BY CANADIAN TROOPS -- THE KYRENIA MOUNTAIN RANGE NORTH OF NICOSIA, AND ONE NORTHERN SUBURB OF THE CAPITAL.

(THE ROTATION FOLLOWS THE RENEWAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS MANDATE LAST WEEK. PARTS OF ALL OTHER CONTINGENTS IN THE U.N. FORCE ON THE ISLAND WILL BE ROTATED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, ACCORDING TO A UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN.)