April
WEDNESDAY 1.4.98
06.50am very light outside and got out of bed – shower/shave dressed. 7.30am breakfast, x2 fried eggs, fresh bread/butter, black tea. Put shoes on today instead of boots as HiTech boots hurt a bit and we have a driving test this morning. The bus will be leaving for TITO at 9.30am (time now is 8.55am). Will now go and have a cigarette outside, the room is too small to smoke in. View outside is very good, Sarajevo is large with large hills all round, people are very friendly.
9.30am To Tito Barracks (mines in perimeter!!!!). Did driving test, part A drive past obstacle then reverse into space then drive out!!! This was done on an old airfield in Republika Srpska that had been shot to hell and also had mines all over the place!! Next phase of the driving test was from Tito with x3 in the vehicle examined by a Bosnian, drove 100 meters then changed over. I had to drive right turn then forward on the main drag then right into Tito. Very tight turn and not allowed to curb vehicle etc otherwise fail the test – Did okay.
1pm broke for lunch, had pizza at restaurant about 10 minute walk away, was late returning due to time cooking. Pizza was very good.
2.15pm return to Tito, had lecture on History of Jugoslavija and Bosnia.
4.30pm Some Portuguese IPTF wanted to recruit 8 of us for Local Police. Development at Travnik. Job entails lecturing local police, said yes.
4.45pm Lecture by Swedish IPTF re security etc.
6pm Finish.
6.30pm Saw Paul Regan British IPTF for question and marking re lesson plan on Sudden Death. Informed that I would have to give a lecture to him and American IPTF called Dave on Sunday. (It appears that they want Brits desperately). If all goes well on Monday will go to Travnik for a 6 week course with American re lecturing on Democrative Policing and how to be a copper!!!
7.45pm Return to Ilidza to Bungalow with Chris and Mike. Also issued with Blue Beret cap badge, cravat and badges!!
8.15pm Went out to restaurant in Illezda had lamb kebab and loads of beer – very nice.
11pm Return and phoned home, told that Sarah was 8 weeks pregnant, also I had to go to court on 11th May. This went down like a lead balloon. Told Del to phone Mike Rolf re court job, as I am wanted by the prosecution.
11.55pm Shrank and wore blue beret, looked a right prat alongside Mike and Chris!!!
12.10am and so to bed!!!
Isn’t it great to know that I’m going to be a Granddad to Sarah’s child!!!
9.30am To Tito Barracks (mines in perimeter!!!!). Did driving test, part A drive past obstacle then reverse into space then drive out!!! This was done on an old airfield in Republika Srpska that had been shot to hell and also had mines all over the place!! Next phase of the driving test was from Tito with x3 in the vehicle examined by a Bosnian, drove 100 meters then changed over. I had to drive right turn then forward on the main drag then right into Tito. Very tight turn and not allowed to curb vehicle etc otherwise fail the test – Did okay.
1pm broke for lunch, had pizza at restaurant about 10 minute walk away, was late returning due to time cooking. Pizza was very good.
2.15pm return to Tito, had lecture on History of Jugoslavija and Bosnia.
4.30pm Some Portuguese IPTF wanted to recruit 8 of us for Local Police. Development at Travnik. Job entails lecturing local police, said yes.
4.45pm Lecture by Swedish IPTF re security etc.
6pm Finish.
6.30pm Saw Paul Regan British IPTF for question and marking re lesson plan on Sudden Death. Informed that I would have to give a lecture to him and American IPTF called Dave on Sunday. (It appears that they want Brits desperately). If all goes well on Monday will go to Travnik for a 6 week course with American re lecturing on Democrative Policing and how to be a copper!!!
7.45pm Return to Ilidza to Bungalow with Chris and Mike. Also issued with Blue Beret cap badge, cravat and badges!!
8.15pm Went out to restaurant in Illezda had lamb kebab and loads of beer – very nice.
11pm Return and phoned home, told that Sarah was 8 weeks pregnant, also I had to go to court on 11th May. This went down like a lead balloon. Told Del to phone Mike Rolf re court job, as I am wanted by the prosecution.
11.55pm Shrank and wore blue beret, looked a right prat alongside Mike and Chris!!!
12.10am and so to bed!!!
Isn’t it great to know that I’m going to be a Granddad to Sarah’s child!!!
THURSDAY 2.4.98
07.00 Got up – breakfast, grotty omelette.
09.30 Got on bus to Tito Barracks. Got paid 1,840 DM today. (1000 Dollars).
Spent day at Tito being lectured by various people re politics and history of Bosnia.
6pm Finish.
7pm Went out to a Fast Food restaurant and had “Biftek” again, also drank a few beers and some cognac “stock”. The waiter kept overfilling my glass. Returned to chalet with Mike and Chris at about 11.30pm and went to bed.
09.30 Got on bus to Tito Barracks. Got paid 1,840 DM today. (1000 Dollars).
Spent day at Tito being lectured by various people re politics and history of Bosnia.
6pm Finish.
7pm Went out to a Fast Food restaurant and had “Biftek” again, also drank a few beers and some cognac “stock”. The waiter kept overfilling my glass. Returned to chalet with Mike and Chris at about 11.30pm and went to bed.
FRIDAY 3.4.98
07.00 Got up with a bit of a head.
07.30 Breakfast:– Weather is misty but warm. For breakfast had a cob with butter – didn’t feel like the x2 fried eggs or omelette that they give.
09.30 On to bus to Tito for lessons, had I.T. and could hardly stay awake, instructor was Ukrainian and very thorough.
10.00 Lunch – went to Norwegian PX and bought Olympus camera for 249 DM + x2 rolls of film at 8.40 DM each 30 exposures. Took picture of self in blue beret standing outside Tito.
14.00 Start lessons again.
Told by contingency leader Mike Holdsworth that the LPD job not in pipeline yet as the Commissioner wants more Brits in the field. My mate Chris has got the job though!!! Shall still stay in Sarajevo region though as it is good.
18.00 Finish class and met Jonathan Sutch, promised to see him for a drink in the next 20 mins. Time now is 18.27 and am sitting in the chalet writing this. Will have to get changed now. Feel very tired and do not really want a pint. Also promised to go to the restaurant tonight as we have ordered leg of lamb between Mike, Chris and myself!!!
Tomorrow (Saturday) we start at 08.30 so want to get to bed early. Will try and write later. ALSO Have made mistake when writing earlier, camp is called “OAZIZ” and is in suburb of Sarajevo called ILIDŽA!!!
07.30 Breakfast:– Weather is misty but warm. For breakfast had a cob with butter – didn’t feel like the x2 fried eggs or omelette that they give.
09.30 On to bus to Tito for lessons, had I.T. and could hardly stay awake, instructor was Ukrainian and very thorough.
10.00 Lunch – went to Norwegian PX and bought Olympus camera for 249 DM + x2 rolls of film at 8.40 DM each 30 exposures. Took picture of self in blue beret standing outside Tito.
14.00 Start lessons again.
Told by contingency leader Mike Holdsworth that the LPD job not in pipeline yet as the Commissioner wants more Brits in the field. My mate Chris has got the job though!!! Shall still stay in Sarajevo region though as it is good.
18.00 Finish class and met Jonathan Sutch, promised to see him for a drink in the next 20 mins. Time now is 18.27 and am sitting in the chalet writing this. Will have to get changed now. Feel very tired and do not really want a pint. Also promised to go to the restaurant tonight as we have ordered leg of lamb between Mike, Chris and myself!!!
Tomorrow (Saturday) we start at 08.30 so want to get to bed early. Will try and write later. ALSO Have made mistake when writing earlier, camp is called “OAZIZ” and is in suburb of Sarajevo called ILIDŽA!!!
1800 Returned from class - Have been given deployments this afternoon, I've got Sarajevo Regional HQ as a monitor.
Time at the moment is
Time at the moment is
SATURDAY 4.4.98 18.00
Have been to the class all day and wrote in error at top. My diary is now not in chronological order so I’m going to run down the past events from when I last wrote.
13.30 Friday 3.4.98 Came back from restaurant after having nice meal of lamb, fresh unleavened bread and a few Piva. In the restaurant met Jonathan Sutch and arranged to meet in the “Tank” bar at 19.00 on Saturday 4.4.98. (The Tank is where we had our first drink when we landed. It is very tiny and is about a ten minute walk away). After getting back went and phoned Dolores at 12.05am, spoke for 20 minutes, cost 50 DM.
Mike Wild has just come out of the shower so I’m going to jump in shortly. In our room there’s not enough room to swing a cat. Will be glad when we leave and go and rent a house or apartment. The weather is still very nice, it’s sunny during the day but the temperature drops very quickly at night. This is due to the altitude of Sarajevo. There are mountains all around us.
Right now I feel knackered but promised to go with Jonathan, Mike and Chris for a drink and meal. I will probably stick to the sprite tonight as I don’t feel like a beer.
Didn’t do too much today in the way of lectures, Hsann from Chile took us for Evacuation Plan/Stress and what to do if held up/hijack etc and Babu from Malaysia went on about report writing. Could only understand one word in five when he spoke – but he’s got a good sense of humour.
Some Fijians arrived today and were asking what it's like, they have been travelling from Fiji since last Friday so are wiped out. At Tito there is a shop/restaurant called Echo’s, it’s some sort of religious place that sells good meals and tea with milk if you want it. To get in you have to go into the Turkish and Italian enclave showing I/D card to the guards – it all seems a bit odd. Had a Jagerschnitzel at lunch time with salad and chips, was very nice, cost me 13 DM. Mike’s out of the shower now so I’m grabbing it.
Chris the other room-mate has got to stay behind to give a presentation to the trainers tonight. I’ve got mine tomorrow.
See you later diary X
13.30 Friday 3.4.98 Came back from restaurant after having nice meal of lamb, fresh unleavened bread and a few Piva. In the restaurant met Jonathan Sutch and arranged to meet in the “Tank” bar at 19.00 on Saturday 4.4.98. (The Tank is where we had our first drink when we landed. It is very tiny and is about a ten minute walk away). After getting back went and phoned Dolores at 12.05am, spoke for 20 minutes, cost 50 DM.
Mike Wild has just come out of the shower so I’m going to jump in shortly. In our room there’s not enough room to swing a cat. Will be glad when we leave and go and rent a house or apartment. The weather is still very nice, it’s sunny during the day but the temperature drops very quickly at night. This is due to the altitude of Sarajevo. There are mountains all around us.
Right now I feel knackered but promised to go with Jonathan, Mike and Chris for a drink and meal. I will probably stick to the sprite tonight as I don’t feel like a beer.
Didn’t do too much today in the way of lectures, Hsann from Chile took us for Evacuation Plan/Stress and what to do if held up/hijack etc and Babu from Malaysia went on about report writing. Could only understand one word in five when he spoke – but he’s got a good sense of humour.
Some Fijians arrived today and were asking what it's like, they have been travelling from Fiji since last Friday so are wiped out. At Tito there is a shop/restaurant called Echo’s, it’s some sort of religious place that sells good meals and tea with milk if you want it. To get in you have to go into the Turkish and Italian enclave showing I/D card to the guards – it all seems a bit odd. Had a Jagerschnitzel at lunch time with salad and chips, was very nice, cost me 13 DM. Mike’s out of the shower now so I’m grabbing it.
Chris the other room-mate has got to stay behind to give a presentation to the trainers tonight. I’ve got mine tomorrow.
See you later diary X
SUNDAY 5.4.98
18.15HRS Since last writing have done:- 7pm yesterday went to The Tank and had a couple of beers with Jonathan Sutch, Mike Wild and Chris Withers then went to the restaurant for a meal, was back at 11.15pm and went to bed feeling very tired.
06.45 (5.4.98) Got up shit/shave shower and shampoo and to breakfast for the usual x2 fried eggs and a crusty cob. They charge us 50 DM per day for that crap!!!
8.30am onto bus to Tito Barracks with Fijians who came yesterday, they seem a good bunch and are very friendly. Had usual lessons at Tito, was a bit of a dossing day today. Tomorrow we are posted out of here, I’m going to Sarajevo Region and in the “Tank” last night was told that Kula Station – R.S. (Republika Srpska) are getting a Brit, seeing as I’m the only Brit posted to Sarajevo region it must be me!
Had to give demo lecture to Paul Regan and Dave Hancock who is an American. Topic I chose was Sudden Deaths. Was supposed to be for 20 mins but lasted about 15 mins. Was told I was okay and would probably be going to LPT (Local Police Training) in a couple of weeks or so. It all seems up in the air at the moment and I’m just taking things as they come. I don’t even know what accommodation to get yet, will have to sus it out in the morning when I go to my new posting.
Tonight we’re (the cabin) are going out to the restaurant we’ve used all week. Time now is 6.25pm and will go out very shortly. I’m glad that I only had a couple of beers yesterday as for a change I feel fresh!!!!
FEELINGS:- I miss the family, especially not being woken up by Brian’s elbow or foot in my back, but things are still new to me out here. When I get settled into the job I suppose that things will be different.
See you later diary!!!
06.45 (5.4.98) Got up shit/shave shower and shampoo and to breakfast for the usual x2 fried eggs and a crusty cob. They charge us 50 DM per day for that crap!!!
8.30am onto bus to Tito Barracks with Fijians who came yesterday, they seem a good bunch and are very friendly. Had usual lessons at Tito, was a bit of a dossing day today. Tomorrow we are posted out of here, I’m going to Sarajevo Region and in the “Tank” last night was told that Kula Station – R.S. (Republika Srpska) are getting a Brit, seeing as I’m the only Brit posted to Sarajevo region it must be me!
Had to give demo lecture to Paul Regan and Dave Hancock who is an American. Topic I chose was Sudden Deaths. Was supposed to be for 20 mins but lasted about 15 mins. Was told I was okay and would probably be going to LPT (Local Police Training) in a couple of weeks or so. It all seems up in the air at the moment and I’m just taking things as they come. I don’t even know what accommodation to get yet, will have to sus it out in the morning when I go to my new posting.
Tonight we’re (the cabin) are going out to the restaurant we’ve used all week. Time now is 6.25pm and will go out very shortly. I’m glad that I only had a couple of beers yesterday as for a change I feel fresh!!!!
FEELINGS:- I miss the family, especially not being woken up by Brian’s elbow or foot in my back, but things are still new to me out here. When I get settled into the job I suppose that things will be different.
See you later diary!!!
TUESDAY 7.4.98 4.55pm
Been rather busy since I last wrote in diary. Lets see, after writing last time I went out to have a drink in the restaurant we usually went to then came back at about 11.30pm. At 9.30am the next day (Monday 6th) packed up my luggage and hung about with the trunk outside the cabin. Was picked up by two Spanish IPTF Paco and Gustavo. Loaded trunk and bag into wagon then went and got radio from PTT at Regional HQ in Sarajevo. More form filling to do. After that went to new station at Vogošća and dumped kit in the Police Station. Did a bit of hanging about there and the interpreter Mladen phoned up and got a room for me.
As I was waiting about Igor the Ukrainian Admin Officer gave me vehicle key and told me to go to the Local Police Station in Vogošća and pick up an accident report. Went with interpreter and shit myself – first time I had driven in the country apart from the driving test. Was a beat up Nissan Patrol.
Sat and had a coffee with Local Police Chief and through interpreter had a conversation. He said that Police would like to learn Democratic Policing. All seemed a bit strange. (His name is Safet Šabović).
After a while moved into a house opposite IPTF station. It is very nice with x5 Bedrooms and I’m the only one in it!!!
Went out with Hungarian guy called Gábor who is Deputy Station Commander and had a few beers after unpacking all my kit. (That took forever).
Went to bed at about 11pm and read until 1am.
On Tuesday 7.4.98 Got up at 7am, had shower etc then went to work at 8am. Is a religious holiday today “Byram” and could hear lots of rifle and automatic weapons being fired plus the odd hand grenade going off. All the local folk get dressed up and drink coffee etc. The children eat chocolate.
Was supposed to go out on patrol with SFOR Egyptian troops today at 09.00 but they didn’t show up so myself and partner (Baloch) from Pakistan went on general patrol. The weather was fine and we went to Local Police Station at Ilijaš to pick up their daily bulletin. Bosnian Police are quite friendly but we didn’t have an interpreter with us this time. After that we mooched about all day. I did the patrol report on the computer and then went across to my room at about 4.45pm so endeth the day. I’m on 8am-4pm tomorrow 8.4.98 and the washing is mounting up. I haven’t seen my landlady yet but last night I used the phone. Del must have been on it a long time so I phoned the nick instead and had a word with Nigel Buck!! Tonight I must do some shopping as I’ve got no food in the house!!!
I’m off now for a shower.
As I was waiting about Igor the Ukrainian Admin Officer gave me vehicle key and told me to go to the Local Police Station in Vogošća and pick up an accident report. Went with interpreter and shit myself – first time I had driven in the country apart from the driving test. Was a beat up Nissan Patrol.
Sat and had a coffee with Local Police Chief and through interpreter had a conversation. He said that Police would like to learn Democratic Policing. All seemed a bit strange. (His name is Safet Šabović).
After a while moved into a house opposite IPTF station. It is very nice with x5 Bedrooms and I’m the only one in it!!!
Went out with Hungarian guy called Gábor who is Deputy Station Commander and had a few beers after unpacking all my kit. (That took forever).
Went to bed at about 11pm and read until 1am.
On Tuesday 7.4.98 Got up at 7am, had shower etc then went to work at 8am. Is a religious holiday today “Byram” and could hear lots of rifle and automatic weapons being fired plus the odd hand grenade going off. All the local folk get dressed up and drink coffee etc. The children eat chocolate.
Was supposed to go out on patrol with SFOR Egyptian troops today at 09.00 but they didn’t show up so myself and partner (Baloch) from Pakistan went on general patrol. The weather was fine and we went to Local Police Station at Ilijaš to pick up their daily bulletin. Bosnian Police are quite friendly but we didn’t have an interpreter with us this time. After that we mooched about all day. I did the patrol report on the computer and then went across to my room at about 4.45pm so endeth the day. I’m on 8am-4pm tomorrow 8.4.98 and the washing is mounting up. I haven’t seen my landlady yet but last night I used the phone. Del must have been on it a long time so I phoned the nick instead and had a word with Nigel Buck!! Tonight I must do some shopping as I’ve got no food in the house!!!
I’m off now for a shower.
8th + 9th APRIL 1998
17.30HRS Thursday 9th April 1998, didn’t write anything yesterday as I had my lazy head on after finishing work at 4.30pm so I’ll recap on both days.
On Wednesday 8th started work at 8am, didn’t have any breakfast, just a coffee. Walked across to station Vogošća IPTF across the road and was put on patrol with Charles (Ghanian), Sergei (Ukrainian) and the interpreter female called Ubavka. Collected daily police bulletin from Ilijaš Local Police Station then went on patrol with a local officer up into the hills near to I.E.B.L. (Inter Ethnic Boundary Line). Was a terrible road, Sergei was driving. Scene very nice and was a bit of snow around. After finishing that had lunch with Charles and Ubavka in a pizza restaurant and then we had to go to Neb6ukva for a funeral detailed to take place at 2pm.
X2 local cops already on scene. The lady who died was 60 years old and lived in the area before the war. She was Serb and the area is now Muslim. Apparently there is sometimes trouble with stone throwers etc at these things. Anyway, the body was coming from Republika Srpska and by 3.30pm had not shown up. We radio’d base and resumed back leaving the x2 local police. Then at Vogošća made patrol report on the computer and knocked off at 16.30.
Correction, Went with Charles and did some shopping, asked for chicken and put 20 mark note on the table when he indicated how much I wanted, after filling two bags of them I had to tell him to stop – got 5 DM change!! Also bought bread, eggs, hot dogs etc. After getting “home” did a load of washing then read book till 12.30am and conked out to the world.
9.4.98 7am up and shave/shower. Had coffee and into work for 8am posted with Ismail (Pakistan) and Napoleon (Indonesia), first I drove Sergei home and then we went with the interpreter to Ilijaš Police Station and Vogošća PS (Local Police) and picked up daily bulletin. Then on patrol with a German member of SFOR who was in his own vehicle, sgt Max Mandl from Bavaria. I drove round Ilijaš area whilst he followed. 12.00 Back to Vogošća IPTF Station and had lunch. Ate bread and hot dogs + tea. 1pm resumed patrol and went to Sarajevo dropping off mail for Egyptian and German SFOR bases. Not a very hard day is it!! Came back to base and made out patrol report on the crappy computer that they have here. Then did my ironing and now sitting drinking tea and writing this.
I think that I mentioned Igor from the Ukraine earlier – apparently he had an accident and wrote off a vehicle. He’s now going to be repatriated. He really is a nice guy and I feel sorry for him. The U.N. are real bastards to work for and even Igor keeps saying to watch your back and do things correctly otherwise the U.N. security will start “rubber heading” you!!!!! Any transgressions and you pay!!
Tonight I’m going out to the Indian Bar. To be honest the BBC World Service is crap and I’ve got no T.V. I don’t mind being on my own but it would be nice to speak to an English person now and again.
The weather is cloudy but warm, I’ve been in shirtsleeves since I’ve been here so far. We had a bit of rain earlier but nothing much. I’m getting a right cough with all the fags I’m smoking. Will buy some Marlborough Lights the next time that I go to the PX. Gábor (Hungary) has offered to take me after work tomorrow. So far I still haven’t seen or paid my landlady/landlord. I’ve got the 400 DM ready for her.
I just remembered that I had 3 eggs on the boil before writing this, have just checked and luckily they were only on low so I didn’t burn the pan. It’s an electric cooker and the heat is fierce. It’s now 6pm now so I’ll get off and have a shower. See you later.
On Wednesday 8th started work at 8am, didn’t have any breakfast, just a coffee. Walked across to station Vogošća IPTF across the road and was put on patrol with Charles (Ghanian), Sergei (Ukrainian) and the interpreter female called Ubavka. Collected daily police bulletin from Ilijaš Local Police Station then went on patrol with a local officer up into the hills near to I.E.B.L. (Inter Ethnic Boundary Line). Was a terrible road, Sergei was driving. Scene very nice and was a bit of snow around. After finishing that had lunch with Charles and Ubavka in a pizza restaurant and then we had to go to Neb6ukva for a funeral detailed to take place at 2pm.
X2 local cops already on scene. The lady who died was 60 years old and lived in the area before the war. She was Serb and the area is now Muslim. Apparently there is sometimes trouble with stone throwers etc at these things. Anyway, the body was coming from Republika Srpska and by 3.30pm had not shown up. We radio’d base and resumed back leaving the x2 local police. Then at Vogošća made patrol report on the computer and knocked off at 16.30.
Correction, Went with Charles and did some shopping, asked for chicken and put 20 mark note on the table when he indicated how much I wanted, after filling two bags of them I had to tell him to stop – got 5 DM change!! Also bought bread, eggs, hot dogs etc. After getting “home” did a load of washing then read book till 12.30am and conked out to the world.
9.4.98 7am up and shave/shower. Had coffee and into work for 8am posted with Ismail (Pakistan) and Napoleon (Indonesia), first I drove Sergei home and then we went with the interpreter to Ilijaš Police Station and Vogošća PS (Local Police) and picked up daily bulletin. Then on patrol with a German member of SFOR who was in his own vehicle, sgt Max Mandl from Bavaria. I drove round Ilijaš area whilst he followed. 12.00 Back to Vogošća IPTF Station and had lunch. Ate bread and hot dogs + tea. 1pm resumed patrol and went to Sarajevo dropping off mail for Egyptian and German SFOR bases. Not a very hard day is it!! Came back to base and made out patrol report on the crappy computer that they have here. Then did my ironing and now sitting drinking tea and writing this.
I think that I mentioned Igor from the Ukraine earlier – apparently he had an accident and wrote off a vehicle. He’s now going to be repatriated. He really is a nice guy and I feel sorry for him. The U.N. are real bastards to work for and even Igor keeps saying to watch your back and do things correctly otherwise the U.N. security will start “rubber heading” you!!!!! Any transgressions and you pay!!
Tonight I’m going out to the Indian Bar. To be honest the BBC World Service is crap and I’ve got no T.V. I don’t mind being on my own but it would be nice to speak to an English person now and again.
The weather is cloudy but warm, I’ve been in shirtsleeves since I’ve been here so far. We had a bit of rain earlier but nothing much. I’m getting a right cough with all the fags I’m smoking. Will buy some Marlborough Lights the next time that I go to the PX. Gábor (Hungary) has offered to take me after work tomorrow. So far I still haven’t seen or paid my landlady/landlord. I’ve got the 400 DM ready for her.
I just remembered that I had 3 eggs on the boil before writing this, have just checked and luckily they were only on low so I didn’t burn the pan. It’s an electric cooker and the heat is fierce. It’s now 6pm now so I’ll get off and have a shower. See you later.
FRIDAY 10.4.98. 17.20HRS
Went to the “Indian Bar” last night, it’s nothing special but is near to where I live. Had a few beers in there and then went onto G+T. Met Gábor in the bar. At about 10pm he had a letter delivered to him saying that he was posted as monitor at Kula as from today 10.4.98. It’s rather daft really as he’s acting Station Commander at the moment. A load of shit is flying round the place. Got up at 7.15am today with a real thumping head, had a few paracetamol. Will go to bed early tonight.
Today went on patrol with Local Police around and about. Also escorted police to Army Barracks at Ilijaš (Local Bosnian Army). Police had 16 hand grenades, 1 anti-aircraft round and lots of bullets handed in. Had to witness it being handed over and complete the paperwork. The situation is really weird here, you have to just stand back from it. After that went to Vogošća Local Police Station with a crime report then you have to get details of investigating officers – it really is a load of paperwork. Finished duty at 4pm and left Vogošća IPTF at 5pm. I then put my dinner on, it’s chicken again. I’m pan frying it as there’s no tray for the oven.
Hope Del phones tonight but not too late as I want to get my head down early. My feet are throbbing with all the hanging about we seem to do, everything is in slow motion at the moment! Yesterday I put my C.T.O request in from 10.5.98 to 15.5.98. I could have gone sooner but the court date is fixed for the 11th May and I’m an absolute witness.
The countryside is very pretty, there are mountains all around you with snow on the top, unfortunately there’s also mines all over the place. Have been driving about a lot and just about in every village you can see war damage and loads of bullet holes in all the houses. Was talking to a local last night about the war here, it was a very strange conversation, these people really did go through some serious shit. All of Sarajevo especially near the airport is ruined with bombed out houses and mines everywhere. Life goes on though and there’s stacks of café’s, restaurants etc. The bus to Sarajevo costs 1 DM and takes about 20 minutes. So far I’ve not bothered going in as there’s quite a bit to absorb here.
When I was out today Mike Holdsworth, the Contingency Commander, came to IPTF Vogošća to see me but I was out working. Will try and phone him tomorrow. The problem is he’s on “V SAT” so you have to dial all sorts of numbers and then ask for his number and then the extension. Good isn’t it!!!!
This morning I finished my book “Birds of Prey” by Wilber Smith so I’m stuck now. I’ve got “The Hobbit” in my bag which I’ve read before but I’ll read it again. Will have to go now and check my dinner.
7.25pm Have had dinner and a cup of tea, am now having a fag and listening to a load of garbage on the World Service. Have washed all the pots up and will get an early night.
It’s just starting to get dark. Tried to hook my small radio onto the electric using a mains adaptor but it just cuts off which is a great pity. The World Service keeps fading to make things worse, and I can hear the Mullah calling the faithful to prayer from the mosque nearby.
I’m just writing a few thoughts down now, I feel a bit cheesed off there isn’t a great deal to do here, I tried my portable telly but I don’t think that the power is good enough for it as I can barley get a picture on it. Will have to find a library or access to some books shortly. I’ve still got the Daily Telegraph that I came out with on Monday 30.3.98. Am now 13 days in the Mission and have earned 1,560 U.S. Dollars but got 1000 Dollars sub called M.S.A. Last week at the training school have asked for 1,400 dollars in my hand and the rest in cheque. The cost of living is moderate, I pay 400 DM per month for the house but eating out can get expensive. Will have to see what I’ve got left after a month and try to reach a balance. Also, want to buy Jennifer a Play Station from the PX if I can, I get paid either on 26 or 27 of the month, I could get it then if it leaves me enough cash to last a month. Must also get Sarah, Catherine and Brian something, it’s all cash isn’t it!!!! If I told Jenny to share I don’t suppose that she would. Well it’s now 7.55pm and I’m off to bed, see you soon!!
PS Have got the radio going from the mains!!!
Today went on patrol with Local Police around and about. Also escorted police to Army Barracks at Ilijaš (Local Bosnian Army). Police had 16 hand grenades, 1 anti-aircraft round and lots of bullets handed in. Had to witness it being handed over and complete the paperwork. The situation is really weird here, you have to just stand back from it. After that went to Vogošća Local Police Station with a crime report then you have to get details of investigating officers – it really is a load of paperwork. Finished duty at 4pm and left Vogošća IPTF at 5pm. I then put my dinner on, it’s chicken again. I’m pan frying it as there’s no tray for the oven.
Hope Del phones tonight but not too late as I want to get my head down early. My feet are throbbing with all the hanging about we seem to do, everything is in slow motion at the moment! Yesterday I put my C.T.O request in from 10.5.98 to 15.5.98. I could have gone sooner but the court date is fixed for the 11th May and I’m an absolute witness.
The countryside is very pretty, there are mountains all around you with snow on the top, unfortunately there’s also mines all over the place. Have been driving about a lot and just about in every village you can see war damage and loads of bullet holes in all the houses. Was talking to a local last night about the war here, it was a very strange conversation, these people really did go through some serious shit. All of Sarajevo especially near the airport is ruined with bombed out houses and mines everywhere. Life goes on though and there’s stacks of café’s, restaurants etc. The bus to Sarajevo costs 1 DM and takes about 20 minutes. So far I’ve not bothered going in as there’s quite a bit to absorb here.
When I was out today Mike Holdsworth, the Contingency Commander, came to IPTF Vogošća to see me but I was out working. Will try and phone him tomorrow. The problem is he’s on “V SAT” so you have to dial all sorts of numbers and then ask for his number and then the extension. Good isn’t it!!!!
This morning I finished my book “Birds of Prey” by Wilber Smith so I’m stuck now. I’ve got “The Hobbit” in my bag which I’ve read before but I’ll read it again. Will have to go now and check my dinner.
7.25pm Have had dinner and a cup of tea, am now having a fag and listening to a load of garbage on the World Service. Have washed all the pots up and will get an early night.
It’s just starting to get dark. Tried to hook my small radio onto the electric using a mains adaptor but it just cuts off which is a great pity. The World Service keeps fading to make things worse, and I can hear the Mullah calling the faithful to prayer from the mosque nearby.
I’m just writing a few thoughts down now, I feel a bit cheesed off there isn’t a great deal to do here, I tried my portable telly but I don’t think that the power is good enough for it as I can barley get a picture on it. Will have to find a library or access to some books shortly. I’ve still got the Daily Telegraph that I came out with on Monday 30.3.98. Am now 13 days in the Mission and have earned 1,560 U.S. Dollars but got 1000 Dollars sub called M.S.A. Last week at the training school have asked for 1,400 dollars in my hand and the rest in cheque. The cost of living is moderate, I pay 400 DM per month for the house but eating out can get expensive. Will have to see what I’ve got left after a month and try to reach a balance. Also, want to buy Jennifer a Play Station from the PX if I can, I get paid either on 26 or 27 of the month, I could get it then if it leaves me enough cash to last a month. Must also get Sarah, Catherine and Brian something, it’s all cash isn’t it!!!! If I told Jenny to share I don’t suppose that she would. Well it’s now 7.55pm and I’m off to bed, see you soon!!
PS Have got the radio going from the mains!!!
SATURDAY 11.4.98 11pm
Had a good sleep last night and felt 100% better. Went into work at 8am and drove Sergei home then took Gábor and interpreter Ubavka to Kula. It’s situated just inside Republika Srpska and is a right drive. There’s a lot of bombed out houses and they even have a mini wall in the middle of the road just to let you know where you are. The street signs across the road are in Cyrillic. Was very interesting. Then picked up Olivera, another interpreter at IPTF Kula and drove back to Vogošća, journey took about ½ hour and I didn’t have an accident. Although when driving out of Kula station Olivera said turn left just by the wall and I ended up on the left side of a duel carriageway. Fortunately nothing was coming and I reversed a few feet back and got round.
At about 11am went out with male interpreter Mladen and Napoleon (Indonesia). Napoleon was driving and we went to patrol with Local Police from Srednje sub station on IEBL (Inter Ethnic Boundary Line). When we got to Srednje the local police had left so we took off on a tiny dirt road up the mountain to the Serb side. The “road” was bloody awful and we had to engage 4 wheel drive, we wound round a vast wooded area, it was raining, snow was still around in patches and the road was single track (mud).
Mladen showed us a burnt out coach that was at the side of the road near the bottom of the mountain. It was rusting and full of holes. He told us that 30 Muslims had been executed there. The Serbs drove them to that spot and then peppered it with machine guns and anti-tank rounds. What can you say!!!
We drove on and on up the mountains got stuck in the mud once but got out okay and carried on. It’s all in forest and right in the middle of the road was some lorries loading logs on them. After piddling round we passed them but near to boarder (IEBL) they had strewn large tree trunks ensuring nothing could get through so had to reverse halfway down before we could turn round.
At 2.30pm we got to the bottom and went to a local restaurant and had a meal lamb, salad and bread. The lamb was served cold and was very fatty. Cost for 3 of us including coke and coffee 26 DM.
Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 3.40pm and did Patrol Report on computer then went home (across road) at 4.15pm. Had bread, cheese and tomato with a cup of tea and then went to the Indian Bar to meet Gábor who although was posted to Kula still lives here.
Met Gábor en-route to bar and drank G+T until 10.15pm. By that time I’d had enough. The locals were coming in and the bar maid had put the local music on full blast. They don’t drink much, mainly coffee coke and juice (Muslim influence). Apparently before the war they didn’t care but now their religion comes out now. Can’t blame them really looking at all the devastation in the area. Can see minefields all over the place in pockets. They’re marked with bits of tape and most of the poles have been knocked over so the tape is just laying on the ground, it’s safest not to walk on the grass verge at all. There’s also loads of cars, cookers and fridges just thrown into the rivers!!!
Time now is 11.30pm so I’m off to bed now. It’s 10.30pm in Notts, wish Del would phone!!!
Had bread and butter and a cup of tea for supper – it’s okay luxury!!!!
Still a load of crap on the BBC World Service as well!!
I really must phone up, or rather get an interpreter to phone up my landlord and pay my rent, so far I’ve not seen anyone. Some phone bills have dropped in the door and I don’t want them!!
Good night for now.
At about 11am went out with male interpreter Mladen and Napoleon (Indonesia). Napoleon was driving and we went to patrol with Local Police from Srednje sub station on IEBL (Inter Ethnic Boundary Line). When we got to Srednje the local police had left so we took off on a tiny dirt road up the mountain to the Serb side. The “road” was bloody awful and we had to engage 4 wheel drive, we wound round a vast wooded area, it was raining, snow was still around in patches and the road was single track (mud).
Mladen showed us a burnt out coach that was at the side of the road near the bottom of the mountain. It was rusting and full of holes. He told us that 30 Muslims had been executed there. The Serbs drove them to that spot and then peppered it with machine guns and anti-tank rounds. What can you say!!!
We drove on and on up the mountains got stuck in the mud once but got out okay and carried on. It’s all in forest and right in the middle of the road was some lorries loading logs on them. After piddling round we passed them but near to boarder (IEBL) they had strewn large tree trunks ensuring nothing could get through so had to reverse halfway down before we could turn round.
At 2.30pm we got to the bottom and went to a local restaurant and had a meal lamb, salad and bread. The lamb was served cold and was very fatty. Cost for 3 of us including coke and coffee 26 DM.
Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 3.40pm and did Patrol Report on computer then went home (across road) at 4.15pm. Had bread, cheese and tomato with a cup of tea and then went to the Indian Bar to meet Gábor who although was posted to Kula still lives here.
Met Gábor en-route to bar and drank G+T until 10.15pm. By that time I’d had enough. The locals were coming in and the bar maid had put the local music on full blast. They don’t drink much, mainly coffee coke and juice (Muslim influence). Apparently before the war they didn’t care but now their religion comes out now. Can’t blame them really looking at all the devastation in the area. Can see minefields all over the place in pockets. They’re marked with bits of tape and most of the poles have been knocked over so the tape is just laying on the ground, it’s safest not to walk on the grass verge at all. There’s also loads of cars, cookers and fridges just thrown into the rivers!!!
Time now is 11.30pm so I’m off to bed now. It’s 10.30pm in Notts, wish Del would phone!!!
Had bread and butter and a cup of tea for supper – it’s okay luxury!!!!
Still a load of crap on the BBC World Service as well!!
I really must phone up, or rather get an interpreter to phone up my landlord and pay my rent, so far I’ve not seen anyone. Some phone bills have dropped in the door and I don’t want them!!
Good night for now.
SUNDAY 12.4.98 4.26pm
Have just finished for the day after driving Napoleon and Ama home. Then picked up Dicky (Indonesia) he lives with Napoleon a couple of kilometres down the road.
Lets see – got up at 7.25am this morning, didn’t want to get up at all, feel as though I should have the day off but no such luck, oh well, only another 28 days to go and then I’ve got to go to court in Nottm.
Started at 08.00 this morning went on patrol in Srednje area with Napoleon, Ismail and interpreter Edin. We picked up a local police officer at Srednje PS name of Senad Nevalyalović and drove high into the hills by the IEBL to a deserted village called Medojevići, took some photos and walked onto grass standing next to Senad and a local man, it was then that I saw bits of red tape behind me, I was in a minefield – I trod very carefully back onto the road after that!!!!!
There was also bits of mortar fins and crap all over the place. All the houses had been wrecked due to the war. Enough of war stories – the road up the mountain was a lot better than yesterday but the drop was just as long, I didn’t like it and Ismail was driving!!!
After that we had a meal (very nice) and dropped the Local Officer Senad off at his station, Then en route to Vogošća at Ljubina saw a load of Catholics having a meeting at a sort of hall (Easter) They were all local Croats according to the Local Police who had a car nearby – the police names Adnan, Ramić, Sinan, Irbo and student cop Dzananovic Džemal. No trouble reported (about 80 pers in hall) and were dispersing at about 3pm.
Came back to Vogošća IPTF at 3.15pm and completed IPTF patrol report on computer. The weather is a bit cooler today, I’ve had to put a jacket on, it’s raining and not very pleasant. I’ve also got the World Service on, it’s as crappy as ever!!! I don’t know what to do with myself tonight, I have a lay in in the morning as I’m on 2-10 tomorrow. I feel too lazy to wash anything today. I could go into Sarajevo but what the heck I may as well stay in funky downtown Vogošća. I’m picking up a little bit of the language, not very much, Hvala is thanks etc etc. At last its stopped raining and the suns come out.
I’ll have to get off my backside soon and sort myself out as I’m sill sitting in uniform with my jacket on! I used up the first roll of film today on the mountain where the mines were, I’ve marked it in here so that when I get them developed I know where I took them, Have had “WUP” brand hot dog sausages for tea tonight with bread (Hleb) and butter, was “Dobro” nema problema to make!!
Lets see – got up at 7.25am this morning, didn’t want to get up at all, feel as though I should have the day off but no such luck, oh well, only another 28 days to go and then I’ve got to go to court in Nottm.
Started at 08.00 this morning went on patrol in Srednje area with Napoleon, Ismail and interpreter Edin. We picked up a local police officer at Srednje PS name of Senad Nevalyalović and drove high into the hills by the IEBL to a deserted village called Medojevići, took some photos and walked onto grass standing next to Senad and a local man, it was then that I saw bits of red tape behind me, I was in a minefield – I trod very carefully back onto the road after that!!!!!
There was also bits of mortar fins and crap all over the place. All the houses had been wrecked due to the war. Enough of war stories – the road up the mountain was a lot better than yesterday but the drop was just as long, I didn’t like it and Ismail was driving!!!
After that we had a meal (very nice) and dropped the Local Officer Senad off at his station, Then en route to Vogošća at Ljubina saw a load of Catholics having a meeting at a sort of hall (Easter) They were all local Croats according to the Local Police who had a car nearby – the police names Adnan, Ramić, Sinan, Irbo and student cop Dzananovic Džemal. No trouble reported (about 80 pers in hall) and were dispersing at about 3pm.
Came back to Vogošća IPTF at 3.15pm and completed IPTF patrol report on computer. The weather is a bit cooler today, I’ve had to put a jacket on, it’s raining and not very pleasant. I’ve also got the World Service on, it’s as crappy as ever!!! I don’t know what to do with myself tonight, I have a lay in in the morning as I’m on 2-10 tomorrow. I feel too lazy to wash anything today. I could go into Sarajevo but what the heck I may as well stay in funky downtown Vogošća. I’m picking up a little bit of the language, not very much, Hvala is thanks etc etc. At last its stopped raining and the suns come out.
I’ll have to get off my backside soon and sort myself out as I’m sill sitting in uniform with my jacket on! I used up the first roll of film today on the mountain where the mines were, I’ve marked it in here so that when I get them developed I know where I took them, Have had “WUP” brand hot dog sausages for tea tonight with bread (Hleb) and butter, was “Dobro” nema problema to make!!
MONDAY 13.4.98 9.15am
Have just crawled out of bed and before having a shave am drinking a cup of coffee. Went to bed at 8.45pm last night, didn’t bother going out at all, just stayed and read ”The Hobbit” for a bit. I slept like a Trojan so I must have needed it. Gábor is on CTO so I’ve lost out on my drinking partner. I’ve got the World Service on again but the signal keeps drifting. It’s been pouring down with rain, when I was laying in bed this morning I could hear it lashing on the roof. Last night I put a heater in my room, it’s definitely got colder, I’ll have to wear one of the thicker black shirts that I was issued with I think!
Spoke to Del on the phone last night, Brian wouldn’t talk to me as I could hear him wanting to watch the T.V.!!!
I wonder what’s in store today at work, I don’t mind doing anything as long as it's not going up that bloody mountain again!!
12.45pm Went down the local shops (B B Market) and bought some bread, a couple of tins of beef Goulash, lighter fuel, carton of orange juice, jar of jam, spaghetti, cooking oil and a couple of tins of peas. The total cost was 29.90 DM. Then went to a local café and had breakfast x2 cups of coffee and a “sendevich” (sandwich) it consisted of a large beef burger inside a flat bread rather like nan bread, it had onion, mayonnaise and ketchup in it. It was very tasty cost = 5 DM.
Prior to going out I got changed into uniform, I’m wearing the dark navy blue trousers and shirt as it’s a bit colder today. I seem to have lost my blue beret, it’s “walked”. I’ve searched from top to bottom but I can’t find it. Don’t tell me there’s a thiefing or even thieving bastard amongst us!!! I still haven’t paid any rent yet so I got the interpreter to phone my unknown landlord and I’ve arranged to see him at 11am tomorrow at this house. I put aside 400 DM when I first came here so that’s no problem.
I must be getting senile in my old age, I’ve just had another route round and I’ve found my beret, it was zipped up in one of the side pockets of my bag. With everything being so new I’m sure that I’m losing my memory!!! Anyway with all that shopping at least I won’t go hungry for a couple of days.
I’m also getting to know the prices now, a couple of days ago I bought a couple of kilo’s of bananas and a kilo of tomatoes and the robbing bastard charged me 10 DM. I know now that I should have paid 2 DM per kilo so I shan’t be going to see him on the market again!!!! It seems that you can buy anything here, nothing is in short supply. I did notice that once out of the larger towns though it changes very rapidly.
2.40pm Got into work at 1.50pm and hung about that station. It was then that I realised Afternoons is 4pm-MD!!!! I felt such an idiot so I hung about casually a bit more and then sloped off to the house!!
Actually there is a bit of an agreement here, the night shift work 10pm - 8am so afternoons is unofficially 4pm-10pm!!!!
I’ve been wearing these bloody Hi Tec boots since about 11am and I still don’t like them, they’re a bit too narrow for me, I hope that they stretch. I’ll also have to get used to the other boots before winter!!!
Spoke to Del on the phone last night, Brian wouldn’t talk to me as I could hear him wanting to watch the T.V.!!!
I wonder what’s in store today at work, I don’t mind doing anything as long as it's not going up that bloody mountain again!!
12.45pm Went down the local shops (B B Market) and bought some bread, a couple of tins of beef Goulash, lighter fuel, carton of orange juice, jar of jam, spaghetti, cooking oil and a couple of tins of peas. The total cost was 29.90 DM. Then went to a local café and had breakfast x2 cups of coffee and a “sendevich” (sandwich) it consisted of a large beef burger inside a flat bread rather like nan bread, it had onion, mayonnaise and ketchup in it. It was very tasty cost = 5 DM.
Prior to going out I got changed into uniform, I’m wearing the dark navy blue trousers and shirt as it’s a bit colder today. I seem to have lost my blue beret, it’s “walked”. I’ve searched from top to bottom but I can’t find it. Don’t tell me there’s a thiefing or even thieving bastard amongst us!!! I still haven’t paid any rent yet so I got the interpreter to phone my unknown landlord and I’ve arranged to see him at 11am tomorrow at this house. I put aside 400 DM when I first came here so that’s no problem.
I must be getting senile in my old age, I’ve just had another route round and I’ve found my beret, it was zipped up in one of the side pockets of my bag. With everything being so new I’m sure that I’m losing my memory!!! Anyway with all that shopping at least I won’t go hungry for a couple of days.
I’m also getting to know the prices now, a couple of days ago I bought a couple of kilo’s of bananas and a kilo of tomatoes and the robbing bastard charged me 10 DM. I know now that I should have paid 2 DM per kilo so I shan’t be going to see him on the market again!!!! It seems that you can buy anything here, nothing is in short supply. I did notice that once out of the larger towns though it changes very rapidly.
2.40pm Got into work at 1.50pm and hung about that station. It was then that I realised Afternoons is 4pm-MD!!!! I felt such an idiot so I hung about casually a bit more and then sloped off to the house!!
Actually there is a bit of an agreement here, the night shift work 10pm - 8am so afternoons is unofficially 4pm-10pm!!!!
I’ve been wearing these bloody Hi Tec boots since about 11am and I still don’t like them, they’re a bit too narrow for me, I hope that they stretch. I’ll also have to get used to the other boots before winter!!!
TUESDAY 14.4.98 12.40pm
Sat up until 2.45am this morning writing letters to Del, work and Dave Cape. Then went to bed and read The Hobbit for a while. Got up this morning at 10.15am and saw that it was snowing heavily – it’s not too cold though. At 11am I met my landlord and landlady – The real owner is in Switzerland and they were there just to collect the dosh. Whilst waiting for them I took a couple of photos of the IPTF station in the snow!! After paying my rent I walked down the road into Downtown Vogošća and posted the three letters that I’d wrote in the post office. It cost me 3.80 DM and I paid in local money. Hope the mail gets through!!! I then went to the same café I went to yesterday and had x2 cups of strong sweet black coffee and a “sendevich” the usual nan type bread with a beef burger in it. They call it “Hamburger” here which is a bit strange being Muslim. That cost me 5 DM and a nice smile from the lady serving me. I then went to the B.B. Market and bought 2 kilos of spuds (Krompir) and a couple of packs of orbit chewing gum. (3 ½ DM). Then it was hey-ho and in the snow up the hill to home. Got in soaking wet and have had to put the electric fire on but in this big lounge you hardly feel the difference unless you sit on top of it. I think that if I’m staying here for a year I’ll have to start laying in a ton of wood for the winter!!! Time now is 12.55pm and I’ve got Radio Netherlands on the radio in English, at least the reception is a lot better!!! And the programmes are about the same as the World Service on the BBC. I’ve just looked out of the window and at last the snows stopped coming down, I hope that it doesn’t freeze now as I don’t fancy driving these Nissan Patrols in this crap.
26 more days to go and then I come home!!! So far have still not heard anything about my “free flight” paid for by the Home Office. Still there’s plenty of time for that yet. Also, in less than a fortnight we get paid (whoopee). I’ve got about 1000 DM left so I should be okay until then.
This time when I go into work I’m going to make sure that I drop off and pick up the interpreters and other monitors at their houses a damn sight earlier!! Selma (interpreter) lives in Visoko which is about 10-11 miles away from here. The other interpreter Daniella lives just outside Sarajevo in Republika Srpska, I think that I put it down before but when you drive up to the boundary there is a knee high wall denoting where you are. The people in R.S. are a lot poorer but the costs are a bit cheaper – so I’ve been told!!! At that end of Sarajevo the trams and trolley buses still work. Here in Vogošća you can see where the trolley bus lines were but half the posts have been toppled.
I still think of what I did last Sunday and shudder about it, I really can’t believe that I walked into a mined area!!! What a lucky prat I was!!!
03.13 Wednesday 15.4.98. Have just come back from the Indian Bar. Had umpteen beers after finishing work at 11pm. Got talking to Merd??? Can’t remember his name but a good guy. Used to live in Doboj or something like that but now it's in R.S. He states that he’s not allowed to see his own house!!! A Croat family now lives there. Everyone is displaced, what a crazy place this is. Have had a couple of fried or even freed eggs for supper and lovely fresh bread, you can’t beat it.
Went to work at 4pm Tuesday 14.4.98 with Napoleon and we drove all over the place (I was driving). Got lost going towards Mostar and turned back into Sarajevo. Duty Officer was Ismail and at 8.30pm had to deliver mail to Egypt SFOR at TITO Barracks, Novi Grad Local Police, German SFOR at Rajlovac and local police at Ilijaš Altogether a long run. Got finished at about 11pm did patrol report on the computer and ended duty about 11.15pm then went to Indian Bar.
It’s very cold now (time is 03.26) and I’m ready for bed. This time I put the heater on in the lounge and bedroom before I went to the bar. Drinking till 2am cost me 14 DM not bad is it??? Just less than £4!!!
Must go now and close my eyes!!
26 more days to go and then I come home!!! So far have still not heard anything about my “free flight” paid for by the Home Office. Still there’s plenty of time for that yet. Also, in less than a fortnight we get paid (whoopee). I’ve got about 1000 DM left so I should be okay until then.
This time when I go into work I’m going to make sure that I drop off and pick up the interpreters and other monitors at their houses a damn sight earlier!! Selma (interpreter) lives in Visoko which is about 10-11 miles away from here. The other interpreter Daniella lives just outside Sarajevo in Republika Srpska, I think that I put it down before but when you drive up to the boundary there is a knee high wall denoting where you are. The people in R.S. are a lot poorer but the costs are a bit cheaper – so I’ve been told!!! At that end of Sarajevo the trams and trolley buses still work. Here in Vogošća you can see where the trolley bus lines were but half the posts have been toppled.
I still think of what I did last Sunday and shudder about it, I really can’t believe that I walked into a mined area!!! What a lucky prat I was!!!
03.13 Wednesday 15.4.98. Have just come back from the Indian Bar. Had umpteen beers after finishing work at 11pm. Got talking to Merd??? Can’t remember his name but a good guy. Used to live in Doboj or something like that but now it's in R.S. He states that he’s not allowed to see his own house!!! A Croat family now lives there. Everyone is displaced, what a crazy place this is. Have had a couple of fried or even freed eggs for supper and lovely fresh bread, you can’t beat it.
Went to work at 4pm Tuesday 14.4.98 with Napoleon and we drove all over the place (I was driving). Got lost going towards Mostar and turned back into Sarajevo. Duty Officer was Ismail and at 8.30pm had to deliver mail to Egypt SFOR at TITO Barracks, Novi Grad Local Police, German SFOR at Rajlovac and local police at Ilijaš Altogether a long run. Got finished at about 11pm did patrol report on the computer and ended duty about 11.15pm then went to Indian Bar.
It’s very cold now (time is 03.26) and I’m ready for bed. This time I put the heater on in the lounge and bedroom before I went to the bar. Drinking till 2am cost me 14 DM not bad is it??? Just less than £4!!!
Must go now and close my eyes!!
WEDNESDAY 15.4.98 11.10pm
Got up at 2.15pm today and had some bread and cheese for a meal!! Went on afters after dossing about the house all day but didn’t feel like doing much. Was on afters with Ismail, Napoleon and Faruq. We were supposed to patrol Vogošća area and then go on patrol with Local Police at Ilijaš until 17.00-18.30 somehow that got waylaid. According to the duties I’m on 8-4 tomorrow and then nights 10pm-8am what a life!!
Haven’t done much today, just delivered mail to Egyptian SFOR at Tito Barracks mail to Novi Grad LPD and mail to German SFOR at Rajlovac. Visited the German PX at Rajlovac but only bought a packet of flints for my zippo lighter and some booze and coffee for Daniella. Bottle Baileys Irish Cream, Bottle Martini Bianco x2 packs cappuccino coffee and the zippo flints total 30 DM + 50 feninga. I got the cash back from Daniella.
Supposed to finish at 10pm but had to run Aleksandra and Daniella home (interpreters). Aleksandra lives just inside the R.S. and Daniella just outside Sarajevo. Did the round robin with Napoleon and then ended up dropping him off at his house.
Will have to go soon as I want to get my head down. See you!!
PS Also did some food shopping during tour of duty from B.B. Market , bread, x2 tins beef goulash, carton of milk cost 9 DM (£3). It’s about the same as England possibly a bit more.
Haven’t done much today, just delivered mail to Egyptian SFOR at Tito Barracks mail to Novi Grad LPD and mail to German SFOR at Rajlovac. Visited the German PX at Rajlovac but only bought a packet of flints for my zippo lighter and some booze and coffee for Daniella. Bottle Baileys Irish Cream, Bottle Martini Bianco x2 packs cappuccino coffee and the zippo flints total 30 DM + 50 feninga. I got the cash back from Daniella.
Supposed to finish at 10pm but had to run Aleksandra and Daniella home (interpreters). Aleksandra lives just inside the R.S. and Daniella just outside Sarajevo. Did the round robin with Napoleon and then ended up dropping him off at his house.
Will have to go soon as I want to get my head down. See you!!
PS Also did some food shopping during tour of duty from B.B. Market , bread, x2 tins beef goulash, carton of milk cost 9 DM (£3). It’s about the same as England possibly a bit more.
THURSDAY 16.4.98
Was on mornings 8am-4pm then nights 10pm-8am Good isn’t it? Firstly after doing lates yesterday I forgot to set my alarm clock and woke up at 8.05am – big panic quick shave and get dressed job. Was teamed up with Sergei (Ukraine) and interpreter Daniella today to do presidential escort from Sarajevo Presidential Palace to faculty building near Novi Grad but inside Republika Srpska. As I was dressing, Sergei (bless his heart) was coming to knock me up. He really is a nice guy but he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. At about 8.40am we set off for the car wash in Sarajevo (a civil place) called Elephant and gave the worker there our “UN CHIT” for 17 DM he then power washed the car inside and out but with the old white and battered Nissan Patrols it didn’t seem to make much difference. At 9.40am we took up position at the palace and put the UN flag on its pole on the vehicle. At about 10.10am we set off as tail end Charlie for the 15 minute drive to R.S. Sergei was driving and he wasn’t all that good in keeping up but we made it and whilst hanging round I bought a real pork hamburger for myself and the interpreter. There is a real difference in R.S. The police are dressed in a more military type uniform and the guys I saw all seemed to be huge.
Set off back at about 2.15pm Sergei lost the convoy but can’t blame him as it was all so chaotic. We lost Mr Izetbegović. Back at ITPF Vogošća the new deputy station commander Alain Timbou (France) showed Sergei a memo re a job liaising with Local Police in Vogošća and Ilijaš. Sergei didn’t know whether to take it or not so I said “what the hell” put me down if you’re stuck for volunteers!!! Don’t know whether I’ll get it or not but it looks interesting.
Finished 8-4 at 4.30pm and went out and had a couple of beers and a meal at café “Unis” in Vogošća near to the B.B. Market. The waitress said she could speak English and after ordering asked me who I was (all very polite) and how long I was here for. After replying all the café knew inside 3 minutes!!!!! The funny looks died down a bit then!
Started work again at 10pm as Duty Officer in IPTF Vogošća with Baloch (Pakistan) as Monitor and Aleksandra as interpreter. All quiet and Aleksandra got her head down in the downstairs office and Baloch in the next door office. I had a camp bed in front office but sat at computer typing letter to admin. At about 12.45am the phone rang, it was the Duty Officer at Vogošća LPD requesting permission to set up a check point for ½ hour – (permission granted!!!). Then at 2.45am another call from Vogošća – had to wake interpreter. They had arrested x2 on suspicion of robbery. Took details – put it in the log and laid on the camp bed between 5am – 6.30am but didn’t sleep. At 6.45 call again from Vogošća – suspects released after interview. I logged it and will get A.M. shift to follow up for incident report. After that did Patrol Report on the computer with some details as above and also strengths of Ilijaš, Vogošća and Novi Grad police stations i.e. how many on car patrol, foot patrol, security and names of Duty Officers… Then at 8.30am I knocked off duty and crawled into bed.
Set off back at about 2.15pm Sergei lost the convoy but can’t blame him as it was all so chaotic. We lost Mr Izetbegović. Back at ITPF Vogošća the new deputy station commander Alain Timbou (France) showed Sergei a memo re a job liaising with Local Police in Vogošća and Ilijaš. Sergei didn’t know whether to take it or not so I said “what the hell” put me down if you’re stuck for volunteers!!! Don’t know whether I’ll get it or not but it looks interesting.
Finished 8-4 at 4.30pm and went out and had a couple of beers and a meal at café “Unis” in Vogošća near to the B.B. Market. The waitress said she could speak English and after ordering asked me who I was (all very polite) and how long I was here for. After replying all the café knew inside 3 minutes!!!!! The funny looks died down a bit then!
Started work again at 10pm as Duty Officer in IPTF Vogošća with Baloch (Pakistan) as Monitor and Aleksandra as interpreter. All quiet and Aleksandra got her head down in the downstairs office and Baloch in the next door office. I had a camp bed in front office but sat at computer typing letter to admin. At about 12.45am the phone rang, it was the Duty Officer at Vogošća LPD requesting permission to set up a check point for ½ hour – (permission granted!!!). Then at 2.45am another call from Vogošća – had to wake interpreter. They had arrested x2 on suspicion of robbery. Took details – put it in the log and laid on the camp bed between 5am – 6.30am but didn’t sleep. At 6.45 call again from Vogošća – suspects released after interview. I logged it and will get A.M. shift to follow up for incident report. After that did Patrol Report on the computer with some details as above and also strengths of Ilijaš, Vogošća and Novi Grad police stations i.e. how many on car patrol, foot patrol, security and names of Duty Officers… Then at 8.30am I knocked off duty and crawled into bed.
FRIDAY 17.4.98
Got up at 2pm for a tiddle and thought, “sod it”, went back to bed again and dozed for most of the day. I finally got up at 7.45pm, made myself a coffee then had hot dogs, brown bread for a meal + listened to the World News. Time now is 21.00 so I’d better get a move on.
So far I’ve got a pot full of dirty washing to do in the wardrobe, so that will have to be my priority tomorrow!!!
Forgot also before going to bed phoned Del up this morning at 9.25am my time and had a chat!! I’m dreading my phone bill!!!!
So far I’ve got a pot full of dirty washing to do in the wardrobe, so that will have to be my priority tomorrow!!!
Forgot also before going to bed phoned Del up this morning at 9.25am my time and had a chat!! I’m dreading my phone bill!!!!
SATURDAY 18.4.98
8.20am Just finished night shift, nothing happened. At 7am Station Commander Alain Timbou (France) came in stated that one of us should have gone to Vogošća Local P.S. the other night regarding the interview of the two suspects for robbery!! The bloody local police put my name down on their bulletin and said that they had informed me but I didn’t attend. I didn’t know that either myself or Baloch should have gone – will know better the next time. Didn’t sleep last night at all, I tried to though. Am meeting Baloch at 11.30 this morning, we’re off to Sarajevo for an Indian meal and a couple of beers. Must get some kip now will write later.
10.30am Got up and had shower and met Baloch at 11.30am. Scrounged a lift to Sarajevo and on way went to Regional HQ. Just by chance met Admin Officer who informed me that my request to go to Foča had been granted!! It was the first I knew about it. Turns out that U.N. rules states that must be x2 of each Nationality at any station and there was a single Brit at Foča I informed them that I didn’t want to go so I’m sitting tight now waiting to see what happens.
Went into Sarajevo and had a curry at the “Taj Mahal”. It was a bit mild but near enough to a Rogan Josh. Also had a few litres of Budweiser draft bear – very nice. Got back at 6.30pm and got my head down. Didn’t hear the alarm and got to work at 10.10pm. Yasser (Jordan) informed me that there had been an R.T.A. at Hotonj involving a civilian driver and x2 passengers in an SFOR (American) Cherokee jeep. Driver going down Vogošća – Sarajevo road had gone round a bend and skidded into a pole that holds cables up for the trolley bus system. I informed international MP’s to arrange recovery and sent Baloch and Daniella to the scene for details. Driver blew positive on Local Police breathalyser and one of the passengers received cuts to his face. The car was a write off. Also Italian Carabinieri attended scene from Army Base at Butmir where the car came from to do their own investigation. Driver who works at the PX there is in deep shit and will probably lose his job poor sod. Had to do incrept report and write it all up on the computer. Will have to do follow ups later when I’m off nights. Driver had his licence seized by police (local) and then is to report at Local Police Stn Vogošća in the morning for interview + charge. Did all the Patrol and Incrept Reports on the computer but could not send some as I’d cocked up. Got Gustavo (Spain) to give me a dig out when he came in at 08.00 in the morning. Got to bed at 11am and kipped until 9.15pm!!!!!!
10.30am Got up and had shower and met Baloch at 11.30am. Scrounged a lift to Sarajevo and on way went to Regional HQ. Just by chance met Admin Officer who informed me that my request to go to Foča had been granted!! It was the first I knew about it. Turns out that U.N. rules states that must be x2 of each Nationality at any station and there was a single Brit at Foča I informed them that I didn’t want to go so I’m sitting tight now waiting to see what happens.
Went into Sarajevo and had a curry at the “Taj Mahal”. It was a bit mild but near enough to a Rogan Josh. Also had a few litres of Budweiser draft bear – very nice. Got back at 6.30pm and got my head down. Didn’t hear the alarm and got to work at 10.10pm. Yasser (Jordan) informed me that there had been an R.T.A. at Hotonj involving a civilian driver and x2 passengers in an SFOR (American) Cherokee jeep. Driver going down Vogošća – Sarajevo road had gone round a bend and skidded into a pole that holds cables up for the trolley bus system. I informed international MP’s to arrange recovery and sent Baloch and Daniella to the scene for details. Driver blew positive on Local Police breathalyser and one of the passengers received cuts to his face. The car was a write off. Also Italian Carabinieri attended scene from Army Base at Butmir where the car came from to do their own investigation. Driver who works at the PX there is in deep shit and will probably lose his job poor sod. Had to do incrept report and write it all up on the computer. Will have to do follow ups later when I’m off nights. Driver had his licence seized by police (local) and then is to report at Local Police Stn Vogošća in the morning for interview + charge. Did all the Patrol and Incrept Reports on the computer but could not send some as I’d cocked up. Got Gustavo (Spain) to give me a dig out when he came in at 08.00 in the morning. Got to bed at 11am and kipped until 9.15pm!!!!!!
SUNDAY 19.4.98
Got to work at 9.45pm as above and walked into an incident. Yasser told me that they’d just received a call from Local Police at Vogošća that since 15.00HRS they were at Blagovac. A guy called Babić (Suriname) had been firing an AK 47 out of the window of his house and also had thrown x3 hand grenades onto the front garden as well!! On Local Police arrival he lobbed a grenade at them as well. Babić is a Muslim from Pale but during the war he got displaced and has moved house on numerous occasions eventually ending up at Blagovac II № 9 in 1996. His son Kemo stated that all the moves have sent him nuts. The house is owned by a Serb who lives in Republika Srpska and unknown to Babić put it on the market. When a prospective buyer came to view the house Babić who was drunk flipped his lid and went for the AK 47. No one was hurt and the son Kemo managed to pursued his father to hand over the gun and x2 grenades. Babić said he had more inside the house and wouldn’t come out. The local cops secured the area and at 11pm four of them went in and found Babić kipping!! He was promptly arrested and taken to Vogošća. He was too drunk for interview and bedded down for the night. Again I had to visit Vogošća and get all details with the interpreter Selma for yet another Incident Report (incrept). Together with the patrol report it took me most of the night to knock up, bloody computers!!!! Found out later that Babić had been shipped off to the Central Prison for 3 days before his interview so it’s not all bad!!! Gábor is on nights at Kula so I’ve arranged to see him in the Indian Bar in Vogošća tonight at 6pm. I’m now off duty until 4pm 21.4.98 sheer luxury!! As I’m writing this at 9.40am Monday 20.4.98 I’m drinking a cup of instant Tesco French onion soup with croutons for breakfast!! I’ve ran out of bread and eggs, will have to buy some later.
MONDAY 20.4.98 9.40am
As per above but must keep things in chronological order!!! As usual it’s still raining and I’ve got the World Service on the radio, crap reception but can hear it okay. 20 more days before I get a day off whoopee!! And five or six more days to pay day – whoopee!! Got interpreter to phone landlord today and sort out my laundry. Will do socks + undies myself but trying to do all washing is difficult due to constant time factor – always at work!!
Haven’t seen the sun for what seems like ages now, it always seems to be overcast and raining here. Hey-ho I think that I’ll go to bed now and get some beauty sleep (ho-ho). The work is certainly different than at home, I never thought that I’d be dealing with a nutter shooting and lobbing grenades out of his house whilst being a “bobby” in Nottingham. It’s strange what life brings you isn’t it!! I must keep hold of some of the reports that I’ve made, it should make interesting reading in a couple of years!!!!!!!!!!
I really must go now otherwise I’ll end up sleeping the day away and not get any shopping done at all!!!! Hang on – a programme has just come on the radio about Bosnia and will it remain peaceful!! Will have a fag and a listen for a while – will write later.
2.23pm Got up at 1.05pm to the cries of the Imam calling the faithful to prayer. Couldn’t sleep much anyway as I had a bucket full of kip yesterday. Did my socks and underpants in the sink and have just hung a line full up to dry!! Am now having a cup of coffee and a fag as my reward. Have just heard on the radio that Linda McCartney has died!!!
I need a haircut badly, it’s not so long on the top but my sideburns are getting bushy and I look an idiot wearing my beret!! What to do now:-
1. Do some shopping
2. Get haircut (this should be interesting)
3. Get a meal quick as I’m starving!!!
I live on the top of a very steep hill and I don’t fancy hiking up and down that too many times a day. Still it’ll keep me fit if I do have a go. It’s stopped raining now and I’ve hung all the socks and underpants outside on my balcony, got no pegs though so if it gets windy Vogošća is going to be covered in my stuff!! Have now been here for 22 days and only need to work another 8 days to go on C.T.O. – Compensatory Time Owing, but because of this bloody court case I’ll have to wait another 19 days instead. The rate I’m going I’ll dip out at the end of this tour of duty. I could have taken CTO and then got re-called for court but I would have lost 90 Dollars a day. This is not to be sneezed at. Have so far earned 2,640 US Dollars and had an advance payment of 1000 Dollars to get set up. According to my calculations this month I’ll get 100 Dollars less than normal and then after that things should balance out. Because of that 1000 dollar sub it’s knocked all my working out!!! I’ve just realized this crap!! Must go now there’s sport on the radio – another load of crap – I’m out of here!!!
5 mins later :- It’s no good, I’ve been sitting on my bum playing with the calculator counting my money. If I didn’t smoke, eat or drink and didn’t go out I’d be worth a fortune!!! Am I getting tight or what!!! Will try and give Del some cash when I go home as well as the Dollar cheque. I do want to save some though for when she comes out here. I also want to have a look round Europe on some of my CTO’s. Flights are very cheap with the U.N. discounts to most places in the world example :- for 899 Dollars (£535) I can swan off to Florida!!! And that’s just at one travel agents I’m sure you can get it cheaper. Whoops I meant 899 DM that’s = £299. Not too bad is it??? UK is about 399 DM = £133 via Vienna Air but you fly Zagreb – Vienna – UK Heathrow. When I’m in Sarajevo again I’ll make some enquiries. There’s lots of info from travel agents in Vogošća IPTF on the notice board.
This time I must go, my stomach is growling and I need a shower and shave first. Unfortunately the hot water tank is very small and halfway through a good shower it goes very cold. I shave first and then hop in sharpish and give the old bum and armpits a good rinse!!
Haven’t seen the sun for what seems like ages now, it always seems to be overcast and raining here. Hey-ho I think that I’ll go to bed now and get some beauty sleep (ho-ho). The work is certainly different than at home, I never thought that I’d be dealing with a nutter shooting and lobbing grenades out of his house whilst being a “bobby” in Nottingham. It’s strange what life brings you isn’t it!! I must keep hold of some of the reports that I’ve made, it should make interesting reading in a couple of years!!!!!!!!!!
I really must go now otherwise I’ll end up sleeping the day away and not get any shopping done at all!!!! Hang on – a programme has just come on the radio about Bosnia and will it remain peaceful!! Will have a fag and a listen for a while – will write later.
2.23pm Got up at 1.05pm to the cries of the Imam calling the faithful to prayer. Couldn’t sleep much anyway as I had a bucket full of kip yesterday. Did my socks and underpants in the sink and have just hung a line full up to dry!! Am now having a cup of coffee and a fag as my reward. Have just heard on the radio that Linda McCartney has died!!!
I need a haircut badly, it’s not so long on the top but my sideburns are getting bushy and I look an idiot wearing my beret!! What to do now:-
1. Do some shopping
2. Get haircut (this should be interesting)
3. Get a meal quick as I’m starving!!!
I live on the top of a very steep hill and I don’t fancy hiking up and down that too many times a day. Still it’ll keep me fit if I do have a go. It’s stopped raining now and I’ve hung all the socks and underpants outside on my balcony, got no pegs though so if it gets windy Vogošća is going to be covered in my stuff!! Have now been here for 22 days and only need to work another 8 days to go on C.T.O. – Compensatory Time Owing, but because of this bloody court case I’ll have to wait another 19 days instead. The rate I’m going I’ll dip out at the end of this tour of duty. I could have taken CTO and then got re-called for court but I would have lost 90 Dollars a day. This is not to be sneezed at. Have so far earned 2,640 US Dollars and had an advance payment of 1000 Dollars to get set up. According to my calculations this month I’ll get 100 Dollars less than normal and then after that things should balance out. Because of that 1000 dollar sub it’s knocked all my working out!!! I’ve just realized this crap!! Must go now there’s sport on the radio – another load of crap – I’m out of here!!!
5 mins later :- It’s no good, I’ve been sitting on my bum playing with the calculator counting my money. If I didn’t smoke, eat or drink and didn’t go out I’d be worth a fortune!!! Am I getting tight or what!!! Will try and give Del some cash when I go home as well as the Dollar cheque. I do want to save some though for when she comes out here. I also want to have a look round Europe on some of my CTO’s. Flights are very cheap with the U.N. discounts to most places in the world example :- for 899 Dollars (£535) I can swan off to Florida!!! And that’s just at one travel agents I’m sure you can get it cheaper. Whoops I meant 899 DM that’s = £299. Not too bad is it??? UK is about 399 DM = £133 via Vienna Air but you fly Zagreb – Vienna – UK Heathrow. When I’m in Sarajevo again I’ll make some enquiries. There’s lots of info from travel agents in Vogošća IPTF on the notice board.
This time I must go, my stomach is growling and I need a shower and shave first. Unfortunately the hot water tank is very small and halfway through a good shower it goes very cold. I shave first and then hop in sharpish and give the old bum and armpits a good rinse!!
TUESDAY 21.04.98
00.40HRS. Have been out with Gábor (Hungary) since 3pm yesterday. Went to his house at about 15.05 and had a bottle of Tokaji with him (wine) tasted very nice. He rents his house from a Serb family and it’s much nicer than the pad I’m in. For a start it’s got a washing machine and central heating. Have been invited to move in but I’ve paid x1 months rent so I’ll work this out and move to greater pastures.
Please excuse the writing, time is 12.45am and have been out since 3pm. Went with Gábor to café and had x2 veal cutlets with salad and hot bread. – very nice. Had x1 pivo each then went to a restaurant that sold chicken!!! Had several piva (Sarajevsko pivo) then went to Indian Bar and drank Bud beer. (The Czech version). Came out of bar at about 12.30am and when I got home made noodles (chicken) put parmesan cheese on top – had been left over from previous occupant. 12.50am scoffed the lot, was very nice, and now to bed. – World Service on BBC – Sports News on – load of crap!!!
Goodnight xxx
9.30am 21.4.98 Got up with a bit of a bad head – took x3 paracetamol and got dressed. Just after 10am met friend of landlord and arranged to have clothes washed and ironed once a week. Cost 100 DM per month very expensive but what the hell!!! Went into Vogošća and did my shopping after having “hamburger” sandwich and cup of coffee. Bought Mortadella sausage, bread, mustard, eggs x10, beef (smoked), hot dogs, apples, then low and behold the shop keeper took me round the back and I got REAL PORK SAUSAGES and a joint of ham. Luxury!!!! Felt like a criminal purchasing them and having them wrapped in a brown paper bag so others wouldn’t see them!!! Also bought butter and some odds and sods total cost 50 ½ D.M. After that went and had a haircut. I now look like a real Bosnian!!! Haven’t got a mirror apart from the ones fixed to the wall so I can’t see what the back looks like. I asked the hairdresser to cut it square!! Today I start duty at 4pm until 10pm (Afternoon shift).
After talking to Gábor last night I may move house and go and live in a room where he is. His house has got Central Heating satellite TV and although a bit smaller appears a lot more comfortable. It’s also got a washing machine!! The owner lives downstairs and is a Serb. He also lets you have his car for all C.T.O. for 50 DM. Gábor goes to Hungary in it!!! All in all it sounds a lot better than this gaff.
Time now is 1.40pm, I really am losing track of the days, I made a rough calendar in the front of this book just to check things out and keep abreast of things.
At last, when I got up this morning it was a beautiful day. The suns out and it’s nice and warm. I’ve turned the heaters off in my bedroom and the top landing as it’s warm enough now.
11.45pm went to work at 4pm and got roped in to going to a meeting at the village of Svrake in the area of Semizovac which is covered by IPTF and the Local Police at Vogošća. The Local Police are running a programme where they visit the villages and talk about community policing. Set off with interpreter (Edin) and got to village hall at 4.10pm. The Police Chief of Vogošća was already there together with his Deputy and the Semizovac Section Officer. There was about 70 local people in the hall. After the introduction the Chief spoke about community policing and how the public can help them. Then it was question and answer time. Mainly the public was concerned about being evicted from their houses. (Most of them were displaced during the war). Also, the speed of the traffic coming through the village off the main highway, and Serb owners of the houses they live in coming unannounced with a UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council) official and unescorted by the police to look at their houses. Most of the village is Muslim now but problems will occur when the Serb owners of the houses come back and try to get the houses back.
The Police Chief informed them that the Municipality deals with evictions as it was not a police matter, but they would attend if requested by the person to be evicted. (I thought “good on you mate”) these local cops are really trying. He also stated that they (the police) had a very good relation with the Vogošća IPTF so I felt chuffed. One guy at the meeting kept going on about the war and how he fought for his country against the Serbs, he went on and on and in the end the local people put him outside (very politely I thought).
The meeting wound up at 5.20pm and I’d written 5 pages of notes about it via Edin interpreting. We then had coffee and a coke with the police in the hall and shook hands and left. Got back to IPTF Vogošća and met Gábor who was waiting for me. He wanted to “use my English” to do a letter to IPTF bosses reference some complaints he had. Spent about 2 hours with him drafting the letter on the computer. After that sat down at another terminal and did my Patrol Report about the meeting. Hope it keeps the Station Commander Alain Timbou happy!! Finished Patrol Report at about 9pm and played “solitaire” on the computer as there was nothing else to do. Finished at 10pm and hung around the station talking with Gábor until 11pm and then came home. Had a meal, hot dogs, bread, butter + senf.
Tried the “pork” sausages I bought, they were pre-packed and stank to high heaven when I opened them. I will never buy pork in a Muslim country again!! Lesson learnt!! When I was dossing about the station saw the follow-up report re Mr Babić. He is to be charged with firing at the public, endangering lives and possession of illegal weapons.
In ten weeks time I’m entitled to my U.N. Medal – how about that then!! I’ve earned it by queuing up at the various PX’s!!!!!!!
Am on afternoon shift again tomorrow so have got a lay in bed. Will pack up now, at this rate I’m going to need more than one book!!!
Please excuse the writing, time is 12.45am and have been out since 3pm. Went with Gábor to café and had x2 veal cutlets with salad and hot bread. – very nice. Had x1 pivo each then went to a restaurant that sold chicken!!! Had several piva (Sarajevsko pivo) then went to Indian Bar and drank Bud beer. (The Czech version). Came out of bar at about 12.30am and when I got home made noodles (chicken) put parmesan cheese on top – had been left over from previous occupant. 12.50am scoffed the lot, was very nice, and now to bed. – World Service on BBC – Sports News on – load of crap!!!
Goodnight xxx
9.30am 21.4.98 Got up with a bit of a bad head – took x3 paracetamol and got dressed. Just after 10am met friend of landlord and arranged to have clothes washed and ironed once a week. Cost 100 DM per month very expensive but what the hell!!! Went into Vogošća and did my shopping after having “hamburger” sandwich and cup of coffee. Bought Mortadella sausage, bread, mustard, eggs x10, beef (smoked), hot dogs, apples, then low and behold the shop keeper took me round the back and I got REAL PORK SAUSAGES and a joint of ham. Luxury!!!! Felt like a criminal purchasing them and having them wrapped in a brown paper bag so others wouldn’t see them!!! Also bought butter and some odds and sods total cost 50 ½ D.M. After that went and had a haircut. I now look like a real Bosnian!!! Haven’t got a mirror apart from the ones fixed to the wall so I can’t see what the back looks like. I asked the hairdresser to cut it square!! Today I start duty at 4pm until 10pm (Afternoon shift).
After talking to Gábor last night I may move house and go and live in a room where he is. His house has got Central Heating satellite TV and although a bit smaller appears a lot more comfortable. It’s also got a washing machine!! The owner lives downstairs and is a Serb. He also lets you have his car for all C.T.O. for 50 DM. Gábor goes to Hungary in it!!! All in all it sounds a lot better than this gaff.
Time now is 1.40pm, I really am losing track of the days, I made a rough calendar in the front of this book just to check things out and keep abreast of things.
At last, when I got up this morning it was a beautiful day. The suns out and it’s nice and warm. I’ve turned the heaters off in my bedroom and the top landing as it’s warm enough now.
11.45pm went to work at 4pm and got roped in to going to a meeting at the village of Svrake in the area of Semizovac which is covered by IPTF and the Local Police at Vogošća. The Local Police are running a programme where they visit the villages and talk about community policing. Set off with interpreter (Edin) and got to village hall at 4.10pm. The Police Chief of Vogošća was already there together with his Deputy and the Semizovac Section Officer. There was about 70 local people in the hall. After the introduction the Chief spoke about community policing and how the public can help them. Then it was question and answer time. Mainly the public was concerned about being evicted from their houses. (Most of them were displaced during the war). Also, the speed of the traffic coming through the village off the main highway, and Serb owners of the houses they live in coming unannounced with a UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council) official and unescorted by the police to look at their houses. Most of the village is Muslim now but problems will occur when the Serb owners of the houses come back and try to get the houses back.
The Police Chief informed them that the Municipality deals with evictions as it was not a police matter, but they would attend if requested by the person to be evicted. (I thought “good on you mate”) these local cops are really trying. He also stated that they (the police) had a very good relation with the Vogošća IPTF so I felt chuffed. One guy at the meeting kept going on about the war and how he fought for his country against the Serbs, he went on and on and in the end the local people put him outside (very politely I thought).
The meeting wound up at 5.20pm and I’d written 5 pages of notes about it via Edin interpreting. We then had coffee and a coke with the police in the hall and shook hands and left. Got back to IPTF Vogošća and met Gábor who was waiting for me. He wanted to “use my English” to do a letter to IPTF bosses reference some complaints he had. Spent about 2 hours with him drafting the letter on the computer. After that sat down at another terminal and did my Patrol Report about the meeting. Hope it keeps the Station Commander Alain Timbou happy!! Finished Patrol Report at about 9pm and played “solitaire” on the computer as there was nothing else to do. Finished at 10pm and hung around the station talking with Gábor until 11pm and then came home. Had a meal, hot dogs, bread, butter + senf.
Tried the “pork” sausages I bought, they were pre-packed and stank to high heaven when I opened them. I will never buy pork in a Muslim country again!! Lesson learnt!! When I was dossing about the station saw the follow-up report re Mr Babić. He is to be charged with firing at the public, endangering lives and possession of illegal weapons.
In ten weeks time I’m entitled to my U.N. Medal – how about that then!! I’ve earned it by queuing up at the various PX’s!!!!!!!
Am on afternoon shift again tomorrow so have got a lay in bed. Will pack up now, at this rate I’m going to need more than one book!!!
WEDNESDAY 22.4.98 11.55am
Got up at 10.15am and have been dossing about, started off by cleaning the crap off the cooker and put a joint of “pork” on the boil. I’m sure that it’s already cooked but after the experience with the sausages – well – who knows!!
Did check the expiry date on packet though and it’s next month so it should be okay. Have also peeled some spuds (Krompir) – it’s a meal!!!!! Don’t start duty until 4pm but will go in early to see Alain, I fancy going to the next Public Meeting with the police tomorrow. It starts at 4pm so will arrange to get there on time. Got the BBC World Service on again, it’s sports – very boring. Will love to be able to listen to a radio without the signal fading in and out and all the sounds of Morse code twittering in the background! Just counted the calendar – 18 days (including today) to go before C.T.O. Whoopee!!
Did check the expiry date on packet though and it’s next month so it should be okay. Have also peeled some spuds (Krompir) – it’s a meal!!!!! Don’t start duty until 4pm but will go in early to see Alain, I fancy going to the next Public Meeting with the police tomorrow. It starts at 4pm so will arrange to get there on time. Got the BBC World Service on again, it’s sports – very boring. Will love to be able to listen to a radio without the signal fading in and out and all the sounds of Morse code twittering in the background! Just counted the calendar – 18 days (including today) to go before C.T.O. Whoopee!!
THURSDAY 23.4.98
All days are alike when you’re working all the time. I don’t know what day is which, if it wasn’t for my calendar I’d really be up shit creek!!!
Lets see, finished at 10.30pm last night leapt to house across the road and got changed into jeans, t-shirt and jumper. Put jacket on and went to Indian Bar (Red Indian). Had several drinks (Laško Pivo) Slovenian beer 2 ½ DM per bottle 30 CL. Met Baloch in pub and parted with cash once more. (Earlier in the evening lent him a heater from my house). Baloch offered to put me + wife up in Pakistan, he is a boss out there with big house etc – IPTF is great, what contacts you make!
Came back at 3am after a good conversation at the Indian Bar (After Baloch went at 11.30pm I was the only one boozing). Micky the bar owner came in at about 11.30pm and bought us a drink. Must get C.D. :- Gypsy Music called “Underground” lots of trumpet music and good music. One track (1st) is “Kalashnikov”, track is very fast. Time now is now 3.20am – must sleep soon. Yesterday took x3 blue shirts and x1 black shirt out of packets, washed some and dried them so I don’t run out.
So far, have made a load of Bosnian acquaintances and they are all bigger than me!!! This country seems to be designed for huge people. Must hop it now, can hear a cockerel crowing. :- Had a load tonight!!! Yesterday on Afters went on patrol with Masoud and Mladen till 17.00 and then at 18.00 went patrolling with Local Police. At 19.00 ended patrol. Got out of our car and there Mladen said that next time if I was driving we would have at least x2 coffees!! Local Police agreed with me and shook hands yet again!!! (Sorry about the writing - pissed again) (nearly)!!!!!
Time now 03.30:- See you tomorrow.
23.4.98 THURSDAY 1.55pm
Just got up – went to make a coffee and found that the water is off, managed to squeeze enough out of the tap for a brew but heavens knows what I’m going to do for a shave. Have got that meeting soon so I’d better rouse myself.
3.05pm Managed to wet my hair and get a cold shave from the drips in the tap, there was just about enough water to rinse off and that was it. I then shot down the stairs and filled a couple of pans half full of water and got x3 large hot dogs boiled up for a meal + bread + butter. Am now sitting having a fag and a cup of coffee prior to getting ready for “work”. What takes 5 minutes back home to get anything done seems to take an eternity across here.
Lets see, finished at 10.30pm last night leapt to house across the road and got changed into jeans, t-shirt and jumper. Put jacket on and went to Indian Bar (Red Indian). Had several drinks (Laško Pivo) Slovenian beer 2 ½ DM per bottle 30 CL. Met Baloch in pub and parted with cash once more. (Earlier in the evening lent him a heater from my house). Baloch offered to put me + wife up in Pakistan, he is a boss out there with big house etc – IPTF is great, what contacts you make!
Came back at 3am after a good conversation at the Indian Bar (After Baloch went at 11.30pm I was the only one boozing). Micky the bar owner came in at about 11.30pm and bought us a drink. Must get C.D. :- Gypsy Music called “Underground” lots of trumpet music and good music. One track (1st) is “Kalashnikov”, track is very fast. Time now is now 3.20am – must sleep soon. Yesterday took x3 blue shirts and x1 black shirt out of packets, washed some and dried them so I don’t run out.
So far, have made a load of Bosnian acquaintances and they are all bigger than me!!! This country seems to be designed for huge people. Must hop it now, can hear a cockerel crowing. :- Had a load tonight!!! Yesterday on Afters went on patrol with Masoud and Mladen till 17.00 and then at 18.00 went patrolling with Local Police. At 19.00 ended patrol. Got out of our car and there Mladen said that next time if I was driving we would have at least x2 coffees!! Local Police agreed with me and shook hands yet again!!! (Sorry about the writing - pissed again) (nearly)!!!!!
Time now 03.30:- See you tomorrow.
23.4.98 THURSDAY 1.55pm
Just got up – went to make a coffee and found that the water is off, managed to squeeze enough out of the tap for a brew but heavens knows what I’m going to do for a shave. Have got that meeting soon so I’d better rouse myself.
3.05pm Managed to wet my hair and get a cold shave from the drips in the tap, there was just about enough water to rinse off and that was it. I then shot down the stairs and filled a couple of pans half full of water and got x3 large hot dogs boiled up for a meal + bread + butter. Am now sitting having a fag and a cup of coffee prior to getting ready for “work”. What takes 5 minutes back home to get anything done seems to take an eternity across here.
FRIDAY 24.4.98. 12.25am
Went into the meeting at Gora yesterday 20.4.98. Drove up to it with interpreter Mladen. All Gora is, is a small village at the top of a very large hill. Most of it is destroyed and there’s a large minefield there as well!!
Eventually went back down the “hill” on single track road that was very bad and in Semizovac saw a local cop so asked him where the meeting was. Found out it was at Svrake in a different hall from the one I went to last time. After talk by police Commander re neighbourhood watch was question time. Was about 50 members of the public in audience and questions/ complaints ranged from the tipping of garbage by the local Bosnian Army Camp to speed of traffic in their area. At the meeting was the Commander of Local Police Dept. Vogošća Safet Šabović, section leader, Himzo Hasanović, and insp Ferid Papović from Ministry of Interior at Sarajevo Canton.
The meeting went well and finished at 5.20pm. After that I drove back to Vogošća after having a drink of apricot juice and banged my report on the computer. Moayyad and Baloch came across an RTA involving Local Police car and an Opel by the bridge near Vogošća on the road to Sarajevo. I ended up going with Selma (interpreter) to drop off some documentation to them at the scene at 8.30pm. It was a foul night, pitch black, no lights and pouring with rain. A German Major stationed at Rajlovac witnessed the incident so I’ll give you the story. Driver of Opel is a Serb – had Serb plates on his car. Area driving through is Federation. At Kakanj a Renault 17 with Federation plates cut him up and kept trying to force him off the road. Meanwhile, Local Police had also passed Opel driving erratically and should stop/check. – Police car sighted Opel – gave chase and flashed driver to stop. Opel then braked hard and cop car shunted the Opel!!!! Police never mentioned the Renault!!! German Major said that he saw it all and was willing to witness same. Also said that driver of the Renault was a Croat!! Politics – politics – politics!!! Came back to nick at 9.05pm and ran Gábor to Kula picking up interpreter Aleksandra on the way in Republika Srpska. Dropped Gábor off and got back to Vogošća at 10.10pm. When Moayyad and Baloch came in again I offered to do their Patrol Report re the RTA for them – got finished at 11.50pm. Was thinking of going for a pint but common sense ruled and came home. Had supper, some Mortadella sausage + bread!!! With cup of tea.
It’s still raining outside – this is a crazy country – yesterday afternoon at about 3pm had a great flash of lightning and a big rolling clap of thunder. Got the heaters on again!!!!!!!!!!!! Have misplaced my mini maglight. The pouch/holder is here but I’m damned if I can find the torch. I think that I put it on the table in the nick a couple of days ago and someone has lifted it!! At least when I got in this evening the water was back on. I’ll be able to get a shower in the morning. Reception on the radio is back to crap again with a lot of twittering in the background. It was a lot better yesterday.
Forgot to put down there’s another meeting of Local Police and public at Blagovac today 24.4.98 at 4pm. Police Commander asked if I was coming so I said okay. Told Alain, Station Commander (IPTF Vogošća) so he’s happy. I don’t mind going, it’s better than these patrols that don’t do anything apart from show the flag.
Think I’ll go to bed now and read for a bit. (Am re-reading my Wilbur Smith book that I bought in England). It keeps me sane.
Eventually went back down the “hill” on single track road that was very bad and in Semizovac saw a local cop so asked him where the meeting was. Found out it was at Svrake in a different hall from the one I went to last time. After talk by police Commander re neighbourhood watch was question time. Was about 50 members of the public in audience and questions/ complaints ranged from the tipping of garbage by the local Bosnian Army Camp to speed of traffic in their area. At the meeting was the Commander of Local Police Dept. Vogošća Safet Šabović, section leader, Himzo Hasanović, and insp Ferid Papović from Ministry of Interior at Sarajevo Canton.
The meeting went well and finished at 5.20pm. After that I drove back to Vogošća after having a drink of apricot juice and banged my report on the computer. Moayyad and Baloch came across an RTA involving Local Police car and an Opel by the bridge near Vogošća on the road to Sarajevo. I ended up going with Selma (interpreter) to drop off some documentation to them at the scene at 8.30pm. It was a foul night, pitch black, no lights and pouring with rain. A German Major stationed at Rajlovac witnessed the incident so I’ll give you the story. Driver of Opel is a Serb – had Serb plates on his car. Area driving through is Federation. At Kakanj a Renault 17 with Federation plates cut him up and kept trying to force him off the road. Meanwhile, Local Police had also passed Opel driving erratically and should stop/check. – Police car sighted Opel – gave chase and flashed driver to stop. Opel then braked hard and cop car shunted the Opel!!!! Police never mentioned the Renault!!! German Major said that he saw it all and was willing to witness same. Also said that driver of the Renault was a Croat!! Politics – politics – politics!!! Came back to nick at 9.05pm and ran Gábor to Kula picking up interpreter Aleksandra on the way in Republika Srpska. Dropped Gábor off and got back to Vogošća at 10.10pm. When Moayyad and Baloch came in again I offered to do their Patrol Report re the RTA for them – got finished at 11.50pm. Was thinking of going for a pint but common sense ruled and came home. Had supper, some Mortadella sausage + bread!!! With cup of tea.
It’s still raining outside – this is a crazy country – yesterday afternoon at about 3pm had a great flash of lightning and a big rolling clap of thunder. Got the heaters on again!!!!!!!!!!!! Have misplaced my mini maglight. The pouch/holder is here but I’m damned if I can find the torch. I think that I put it on the table in the nick a couple of days ago and someone has lifted it!! At least when I got in this evening the water was back on. I’ll be able to get a shower in the morning. Reception on the radio is back to crap again with a lot of twittering in the background. It was a lot better yesterday.
Forgot to put down there’s another meeting of Local Police and public at Blagovac today 24.4.98 at 4pm. Police Commander asked if I was coming so I said okay. Told Alain, Station Commander (IPTF Vogošća) so he’s happy. I don’t mind going, it’s better than these patrols that don’t do anything apart from show the flag.
Think I’ll go to bed now and read for a bit. (Am re-reading my Wilbur Smith book that I bought in England). It keeps me sane.
SATURDAY 25.4.98 4.50pm
Lets see, since last writing at 12.25am on Friday:- Got up at 1.45pm (Friday) dossed around the house then got shaved and dressed (no water) and went down to Unis Grill and had Ćevapčići, coffee, then glass of orange for dinner. Went into work at 3.40pm and hung around for an interpreter to go to the meeting at Blagovac. Unfortunately they didn’t come in until 5pm so had to cancel my part in the meeting. Went on patrol with Maoyyad around Blagovac and Rajlovac area – popped into German SFOR PX and bought 400 cigs. Finished early for a change so got changed and went down to the Indian Bar at 10pm. Saw Gábor inside and stayed until 3.15am. Was having good conversation with Gábor and Micky the bar owner who speaks English. Got home at 3.30am had a cheese sandwich, set alarm and went to bed.
25.4.98 09.30 got woke up by Moayyad (supposed to have started at 08.00) was no problem, I shot downstairs and went straight out on patrol with Moayyad, Napoleon and Edin (interpreter). We had to go to Ilijaš as some Serbs had come form Brčko to look at their houses in the area, was with x4 vans of UNHCR. Got finished at 2pm and went for meal in Ilijaš. I had lamb (Janjetina) and salad with a stonking large cup of Turkish coffee – set me up a treat. Lamb was very fatty though. With the meal were small pieces of hot bread, tasted delicious. Got back to Vogošća IPTF at about 3.30pm and did patrol report. Alain told me that I’ve got the position of Liaison Officer between LPD Vogošća and IPTF Vogošća Don’t know when I’ll actually start though. Think it may be around 15th May. Pay day is now on 28.4.98 now – Tuesday. I’ve got about 600 DM left so I’m okay for cash. I’ll need to keep a few hundred back for rent + living when I go on CTO. Gábor says that he’s had a word with his landlord and landlord will have to see if his relations aren’t coming back before he can give me an answer whether I can move in or not.
The weather has been overcast today with a bit of rain, I’ll be glad to see the sun peeping through for a change. I feel rather tired now – will have to have an early night to replenish the batteries. I was going to do some ironing but sod it!!!! Have done 27 days so far, I wonder if Brian’s okay – think that I’ll risk a huge phone bill and phone home. (Time now 5.10pm) Story of my life, I phoned home and Del’s out. Did manage to speak to Brian though – he told me that Daddy’s away!!! Also spoke to Catherine – she’s going to see Notts Forest tomorrow!!! 6.25pm Just put the phone down, Del phoned back – problems, problems!!
8.30pm – Went to bed and read a book for a bit (Wilbur Smith).
25.4.98 09.30 got woke up by Moayyad (supposed to have started at 08.00) was no problem, I shot downstairs and went straight out on patrol with Moayyad, Napoleon and Edin (interpreter). We had to go to Ilijaš as some Serbs had come form Brčko to look at their houses in the area, was with x4 vans of UNHCR. Got finished at 2pm and went for meal in Ilijaš. I had lamb (Janjetina) and salad with a stonking large cup of Turkish coffee – set me up a treat. Lamb was very fatty though. With the meal were small pieces of hot bread, tasted delicious. Got back to Vogošća IPTF at about 3.30pm and did patrol report. Alain told me that I’ve got the position of Liaison Officer between LPD Vogošća and IPTF Vogošća Don’t know when I’ll actually start though. Think it may be around 15th May. Pay day is now on 28.4.98 now – Tuesday. I’ve got about 600 DM left so I’m okay for cash. I’ll need to keep a few hundred back for rent + living when I go on CTO. Gábor says that he’s had a word with his landlord and landlord will have to see if his relations aren’t coming back before he can give me an answer whether I can move in or not.
The weather has been overcast today with a bit of rain, I’ll be glad to see the sun peeping through for a change. I feel rather tired now – will have to have an early night to replenish the batteries. I was going to do some ironing but sod it!!!! Have done 27 days so far, I wonder if Brian’s okay – think that I’ll risk a huge phone bill and phone home. (Time now 5.10pm) Story of my life, I phoned home and Del’s out. Did manage to speak to Brian though – he told me that Daddy’s away!!! Also spoke to Catherine – she’s going to see Notts Forest tomorrow!!! 6.25pm Just put the phone down, Del phoned back – problems, problems!!
8.30pm – Went to bed and read a book for a bit (Wilbur Smith).
SUNDAY 26.4.98 4.37pm
Just finished work, didn’t overlay this morning!!! After a lot of argy-bargy found out that I was Duty Officer so had to stay in IPTF Vogošća updating all the shifts on that bloody computer!! Did the D.S.R (Daily Situation Report) which is a mile long then after I’d printed it found out that there’d been an incident so had to amend it all!!!
Had “lunch” at 2.30pm walked down to “Grill Unis” and had Ćevapčići and a can of sprite – cost 5DM. The lady who serves there keeps saying that I’m a very nice man, it gets quite embarrassing!! Baloch and Ismail are off on CTO today, they’re going to Belgrade and then on to Hungary! Hope they have a good time. Sergei is off tomorrow – going to Ukraine. Igor has to go to HQ tomorrow re his accident etc, hope he gets a good hearing.
Tomorrow I’m out on patrol with Moayyad and interpreter Sajed, I’ve got a job re stealing cattle in R.S. Have got to go to Ilijaš P.D. to give them the report so that they can investigate from this end. I seem to be getting an inundate lot of crap thrown my way lately. Maybe I’m being groomed for better things haha!!
Saw Gábor earlier today, should get an answer soon regarding moving in to his place from the landlord. My rents due on 6.5.98 so it had better be soon!
Had “lunch” at 2.30pm walked down to “Grill Unis” and had Ćevapčići and a can of sprite – cost 5DM. The lady who serves there keeps saying that I’m a very nice man, it gets quite embarrassing!! Baloch and Ismail are off on CTO today, they’re going to Belgrade and then on to Hungary! Hope they have a good time. Sergei is off tomorrow – going to Ukraine. Igor has to go to HQ tomorrow re his accident etc, hope he gets a good hearing.
Tomorrow I’m out on patrol with Moayyad and interpreter Sajed, I’ve got a job re stealing cattle in R.S. Have got to go to Ilijaš P.D. to give them the report so that they can investigate from this end. I seem to be getting an inundate lot of crap thrown my way lately. Maybe I’m being groomed for better things haha!!
Saw Gábor earlier today, should get an answer soon regarding moving in to his place from the landlord. My rents due on 6.5.98 so it had better be soon!
MONDAY 27.4.98 3.55pm
Last night I went to the Indian Bar and had a couple of beers. Saw Edin (interpreter) later in the evening. Went home at 11.30pm and got my head down. Got woke up by Gábor throwing pebbles at my window at 7am – he got the one fingered sign and had another ½ hours sleep.
Was supposed to be solo patrol today with Moayyad and Sajed but got roped into a meeting at Vogošća + Ilijaš. Police Chief of Canton Sarajevo M.A was organising instruction day for Local Police – was lectures re policing and use of force etc, was quite interesting. Was thanked for attending. I think that this sort of thing helps with the liaison between us. Have now started to become quite pally with the Local Station Commanders. Managed to drop a translated copy of the report re theft of cattle from R.S. just over the boarder with Ilijaš. Head of Local CID said that they would investigate it, but where do you start with something like this?
Have just had my dinner – cooked it myself – Beef Goulash out of a can, real potatoes and tin of string beans. It filled me up.
The weather was warm and sunny today, definitely shirtsleeve weather.
Tonight I’m going to have an early night. Looking at the duties tomorrow morning I’m on joint patrol with the Egyptian SFOR in the Semizovac area. Hope Sajed knows where we’re going because I certainly don’t!!! I quite liked the area just out of Ilijaš as it’s not so steep, the villages are burnt out and there’s mine’s everywhere but the scenery is really nice.
Think I’ll hit the sack now, see you!!
Was supposed to be solo patrol today with Moayyad and Sajed but got roped into a meeting at Vogošća + Ilijaš. Police Chief of Canton Sarajevo M.A was organising instruction day for Local Police – was lectures re policing and use of force etc, was quite interesting. Was thanked for attending. I think that this sort of thing helps with the liaison between us. Have now started to become quite pally with the Local Station Commanders. Managed to drop a translated copy of the report re theft of cattle from R.S. just over the boarder with Ilijaš. Head of Local CID said that they would investigate it, but where do you start with something like this?
Have just had my dinner – cooked it myself – Beef Goulash out of a can, real potatoes and tin of string beans. It filled me up.
The weather was warm and sunny today, definitely shirtsleeve weather.
Tonight I’m going to have an early night. Looking at the duties tomorrow morning I’m on joint patrol with the Egyptian SFOR in the Semizovac area. Hope Sajed knows where we’re going because I certainly don’t!!! I quite liked the area just out of Ilijaš as it’s not so steep, the villages are burnt out and there’s mine’s everywhere but the scenery is really nice.
Think I’ll hit the sack now, see you!!
TUESDAY 28.4.98
Went out on “solo” patrol. Egyptian SFOR had cancelled their bit. Had enquiry to do at Ilijaš re a house. Visited Local P.D. + Municipality then went into the hills and took some photos of the views. Didn’t bother collecting pay – was on mornings but as usual things go array and at about 12.00 got called back to the nick to stand in as Duty Officer whilst Igor had to go to a meeting. Things go very slow here. To get pay you have to go into Sarajevo and trying to get a lift is murder.
4pm Finished work – quick Ćevapčići at Grill Unis and a few Laško Piva then to the Indian Bar where I had a few more Laško and spoke to Micky half the night. Went to bed at 11.30pm.
4pm Finished work – quick Ćevapčići at Grill Unis and a few Laško Piva then to the Indian Bar where I had a few more Laško and spoke to Micky half the night. Went to bed at 11.30pm.
WEDNESDAY 29.4.98 11.05pm
First day of afters today 16.00-22.00. Was out on patrol with Moayyad in Srednje area. Also did a tour of German PX at Rajlovac and American PX at Sarajevo. Saw that they sold Sony Play Stations there but didn’t know the price. Not much of a day really, just a lot of motoring. To rub it in I had to drop Selma the interpreter off at her home in Visoko which is a fair distance away. Set off at 9pm and got back at 10.20pm. There’d been a bad accident on the main highway so had to divert on the old road through Ilijaš. None of the roads are very clear and the “old road” is more like a twisting narrow tarmac path. There are no streetlights or cats eyes on any of the roads and it’s a bit of a nightmare at night.
Saw Gábor this afternoon, his landlord wants the house back when he leaves so that’s it, I’ll have to stay in the house I’m in at present!!
So far, I’ve still not had my phone bill come through – hope it’s not more than 200 DM!!!!
Think I’ll go to bed soon. The landlord has been renovating the first floor of this house for the past couple of days with a couple of workmen and I’m sure they’re staying here the night!! It doesn’t bother me but I’d prefer it if they told me what was going off. Tomorrow I really must get up early and go in for my wages as well!!! The weather was beautiful and sunny yesterday but today it started off fine then all of a sudden became overcast and rainy. What a country!!!!
Saw Gábor this afternoon, his landlord wants the house back when he leaves so that’s it, I’ll have to stay in the house I’m in at present!!
So far, I’ve still not had my phone bill come through – hope it’s not more than 200 DM!!!!
Think I’ll go to bed soon. The landlord has been renovating the first floor of this house for the past couple of days with a couple of workmen and I’m sure they’re staying here the night!! It doesn’t bother me but I’d prefer it if they told me what was going off. Tomorrow I really must get up early and go in for my wages as well!!! The weather was beautiful and sunny yesterday but today it started off fine then all of a sudden became overcast and rainy. What a country!!!!
THURSDAY 30.4.98
Went downtown to Sarajevo HQ and drew my pay, then walked to TITO barracks and had a bite to eat in “Echo's”, it’s a canteen that sells chips, etc!! Got a taxi back to Vogošća and had a meal in the grill down the road from the Police Station later on before going on duty. Had lamb – was quite nice, not too fatty. Went to work at 3.45pm and generally dossed about. Later took Gábor to German PX at Rajlovac and I bought a couple of cartons of cigs.
When I finished work went to the Indian Bar and had a drink with Gábor until 4.30am, Went to bed!!
When I finished work went to the Indian Bar and had a drink with Gábor until 4.30am, Went to bed!!