GC: n
S: NYTIMES – http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/09/world/middleeast/isis-syria-turkey-border-us.html (last access: 30 October 2014); UNOCHA – http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_sitrep_01_08_2014.pdf (last access: 4 November 2014)
N: 1. buffer (n): 1835, agent noun from obsolete verb buff “make a dull sound when struck” (mid-16c.), from Old French bufe “a blow, slap, punch”.
zone (n): late 14c, from Latin zona “geographical belt, celestial zone”.
2. Buffer zone is a neutral area that separate opposing forces or hostile parties in order to reduce the possibility of a new conflict. It is also a demilitarized zone where the parties have agreed not to deploy military forces.
3. There are also other possible reasons for set it up: “prevent violence, protect the environment, protect residential and commercial zones from industrial accidents or natural disasters, keep prisoners intent on escaping from rapidly acquiring hostages or a hiding place”, for instance.
4. The ceasefire lines, marked and often fenced or wired on either side of the buffer zone, indicate the agreed forward limits of the contending forces. When the ceasefire lines are observed, patrolled and perhaps occupied by the peacekeeping force, and the buffer zone itself is placed under the control of a peacekeeping operation, it may be named “United Nations Buffer Zone”.
5. Safety zone: An area (land, sea or air) reserved for non-combat operations of friendly aircraft, surface ships, submarines or ground forces.
6. Safety zone: term and definition standardized by NATO.
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/ (last access: 29 October 2014). 2, 3 & 4. UNTERM – http://unterm.un.org/DGAACS/unterm.nsf/WebView/1A2ED0DA84960BC8852569FA000013DE?OpenDocument (last access: 29 October 2014); SINUS – http://sinus.org.br/2014/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/UNSC-Study-Guide.pdf (last access: 29 October 2014). 5 & 6. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 29 October 2014).
SYN: 1. ceasefire line, area of limitation in armaments, demilitarized zone, security zone. 2. safety zone, safe area.
S: 1. UNTERM – http://unterm.un.org/DGAACS/unterm.nsf/WebView/1A2ED0DA84960BC8852569FA000013DE?OpenDocument (last access: 29 October 2014). 2. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 29 October 2014).
