June
FRIDAY 5.6.98 7.40pm
Sorry about missing the last few days I’ll try to recap what’s happened.
Last Monday 1.6.98 I paid my rent 400 DM, laundry 100 DM, phone bill 56 DM. Was on 8am-4pm and so got several jobs to do.
Tuesday 2.6.98 Just did follow-up enquiries with Selma – bloody pen keeps packing up!!
Weather is very hot and uncomfortable. If you leave the cars out in the sun for a while it’s murder when you get back in.
Wednesday 3.6.98 On 8am-4pm again getting more and more jobs to do. I think that I’m the only person at this station. Without wanting to appear racist but I’ve noticed that quite a few of the Indian and Pakistani contingencies do absolutely nothing apart from checking the prices in the PX’s. The monitors from quite a few other countries are just as bloody useless as well!! Example:- I’m working my head off in Ilijaš which is a good 20-25 minute drive away and they will call me back to the station if someone is complaining there rather than take details themselves!! Sometimes I feel really angry about it!!
Thursday On 8-4, went out with Namal and Edin on enquiries at Srednje regarding an incident I’m dealing with but didn’t manage to sort anything out. Also checked allocation of the new number plates at Ilijaš. (All people are getting new № plates on the cars so they can’t be identified where they’re from). Then went back to the nick and wrote up a few reports on the computer. Went out for a meal at about 7.30pm after driving Igor and his mate to the PX at Rajlovac – German + French Base. I bought a couple of cases of beer and 400 cigs (68 DM). The beer’s for my birthday on the 9th. Whilst eating in the restaurant down the road (had Janjetina (lamb) with side salad + bread) met Martin (Austria) had a couple of beers then Felix (Ghana), Ismail (Pakistan), and Gábor (Hungary) joined us so we had a few more beers!! At about 8.30pm it started thunder and lightning and pouring with rain. This passed at about 10pm. Martin and co left leaving just me and Gábor so we drank some more and were joined by a couple of Bosnian guys that we know at about 11pm. After that we went to Sebastian, another restaurant/coffee bar up the road and had a couple of bottles of Budweiser (the real Czech beer). I left at about 11.45pm and went to bed after watching a stupid American film with Bosnian sub-titles.
Today 5.6.98 Got up late 8.30am and sidled into work. It was another red hot day. First thing I did was go to Vogošća Local Police Station, collect the daily bulletin with interpreter Aleksandra and then check that they had the correct allocation of number plates. We then went back to IPTF Vogošća and I did another report for Regional HQ about checking the bloody № plates.
I dossed about after that. We had a big wig come from SRSG’s office (in charge of IPTF) so shook hands and told him about Human Rights problems in Vogošća. After his visit I had a Human Rights meeting scheduled for 2pm at Regional HQ Sarajevo so I took the car Nissan pick-up and drove there. Was quite informative – met Susan Finch (America) who is not IPTF but works high up in UN and she advised us re property laws that have come in. Finished at 3pm so I drove into Vogošća and went to Acma’s Grill and had a can of coke and Ćevapčići for breakfast/ lunch. The weather is still scorching hot. Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 3.45pm and dossed about in the station rather than go to my house and sit about on my own. That’s about it for now. I’m going to have a reasonably early night tonight.
Last Monday 1.6.98 I paid my rent 400 DM, laundry 100 DM, phone bill 56 DM. Was on 8am-4pm and so got several jobs to do.
Tuesday 2.6.98 Just did follow-up enquiries with Selma – bloody pen keeps packing up!!
Weather is very hot and uncomfortable. If you leave the cars out in the sun for a while it’s murder when you get back in.
Wednesday 3.6.98 On 8am-4pm again getting more and more jobs to do. I think that I’m the only person at this station. Without wanting to appear racist but I’ve noticed that quite a few of the Indian and Pakistani contingencies do absolutely nothing apart from checking the prices in the PX’s. The monitors from quite a few other countries are just as bloody useless as well!! Example:- I’m working my head off in Ilijaš which is a good 20-25 minute drive away and they will call me back to the station if someone is complaining there rather than take details themselves!! Sometimes I feel really angry about it!!
Thursday On 8-4, went out with Namal and Edin on enquiries at Srednje regarding an incident I’m dealing with but didn’t manage to sort anything out. Also checked allocation of the new number plates at Ilijaš. (All people are getting new № plates on the cars so they can’t be identified where they’re from). Then went back to the nick and wrote up a few reports on the computer. Went out for a meal at about 7.30pm after driving Igor and his mate to the PX at Rajlovac – German + French Base. I bought a couple of cases of beer and 400 cigs (68 DM). The beer’s for my birthday on the 9th. Whilst eating in the restaurant down the road (had Janjetina (lamb) with side salad + bread) met Martin (Austria) had a couple of beers then Felix (Ghana), Ismail (Pakistan), and Gábor (Hungary) joined us so we had a few more beers!! At about 8.30pm it started thunder and lightning and pouring with rain. This passed at about 10pm. Martin and co left leaving just me and Gábor so we drank some more and were joined by a couple of Bosnian guys that we know at about 11pm. After that we went to Sebastian, another restaurant/coffee bar up the road and had a couple of bottles of Budweiser (the real Czech beer). I left at about 11.45pm and went to bed after watching a stupid American film with Bosnian sub-titles.
Today 5.6.98 Got up late 8.30am and sidled into work. It was another red hot day. First thing I did was go to Vogošća Local Police Station, collect the daily bulletin with interpreter Aleksandra and then check that they had the correct allocation of number plates. We then went back to IPTF Vogošća and I did another report for Regional HQ about checking the bloody № plates.
I dossed about after that. We had a big wig come from SRSG’s office (in charge of IPTF) so shook hands and told him about Human Rights problems in Vogošća. After his visit I had a Human Rights meeting scheduled for 2pm at Regional HQ Sarajevo so I took the car Nissan pick-up and drove there. Was quite informative – met Susan Finch (America) who is not IPTF but works high up in UN and she advised us re property laws that have come in. Finished at 3pm so I drove into Vogošća and went to Acma’s Grill and had a can of coke and Ćevapčići for breakfast/ lunch. The weather is still scorching hot. Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 3.45pm and dossed about in the station rather than go to my house and sit about on my own. That’s about it for now. I’m going to have a reasonably early night tonight.
SATURDAY 6.6.98 4.35pm
Had a good sleep last night and got up feeling fresh after having a shower. Of course I’m on 8am-4pm again today. I first went with Edin (interpreter) to Ilijaš police station as they had x3 in custody for attempted theft of fuel from a lorry at a village near there. The local people detained them. I checked that there were no human rights violations and they hadn’t had the crap beaten out of them by the police or the good citizens and then went back to Vogošća with all the details and knocked out a report. Edin had to go with other monitors for a joint patrol with the local cops so I was again stuffed without a language assistant to give me a dig out, so all I’ve done today is tidy a few files up on the computer. Tomorrow I’ve been promised an interpreter but with it being Sunday I’m not going to get a great deal done.
Finished work at 4pm today. I’ve got a load of washing to do but it’s so hot I just feel like flaking out. At lunch I went and had a bowl of goulash with Namal. He wanted to get a haircut so he dragged me with him to show them how he wanted it cutting! I felt like a male model doing that!!! Hey-ho, I’ll have to stop now and get some washing done!!
PS It’s still blazing hot and I can hear thunder blasting away all around!!!
Finished work at 4pm today. I’ve got a load of washing to do but it’s so hot I just feel like flaking out. At lunch I went and had a bowl of goulash with Namal. He wanted to get a haircut so he dragged me with him to show them how he wanted it cutting! I felt like a male model doing that!!! Hey-ho, I’ll have to stop now and get some washing done!!
PS It’s still blazing hot and I can hear thunder blasting away all around!!!
SUNDAY 7.6.98 4.45pm
Last night after washing shirts, socks, etc, went out to the restaurant down the road and had a meal and a bottle of mineral water then went home at 9pm and watched T.V. Was a really crappy English film on. I fell asleep in the end, woke up at 11.30pm and went to bed. Got up at 7.30pm this morning and went into work. First went to Ilijaš PD with Edin and collected the daily bulletin from them (arrests and things of interest). Then went to a locals house on 126 Brigade St № 2 to give him a message. Of course as usual in Bosnia he’d moved. But we managed to find his new address and give him the message. (It was about housing again!!). Got back to Vogošća nick at around 11.30am, did a few reports (all bullshit) and had lunch. After that I dossed around all day because there were no more vehicles to use. Tonight is the Spanish contingents party at the Internet Café in Sarajevo.
I said that I’d go so I’ve got to get ready and then scrounge a lift from the station at about 7pm. At lunch today I washed some more shirts. It’s so hot I need a fresh one every day!! Must go now, nature is calling rather urgently!!!! (Hope it’s not the Bosnian two step!!).
I said that I’d go so I’ve got to get ready and then scrounge a lift from the station at about 7pm. At lunch today I washed some more shirts. It’s so hot I need a fresh one every day!! Must go now, nature is calling rather urgently!!!! (Hope it’s not the Bosnian two step!!).
FRIDAY 12.6.98 5.30pm
Let’s see, what’s been happening these past few days! For a start it’s been red hot and even as I’m writing the sweats dripping off me!! Since last writing I went to the Spanish party and drank Sangria with Edin. Met Kenan there and scrounged a lift back to Vogošća at 10pm. I was hungry so I had a meal and then went to bed.
On 8.6.98 was as usual on 8am-4pm and did the usual follow-up reports at Ilijaš and Vogošća. Nothing really outstanding happened. Went for a quick drink at night with Gábor and co and ended up having “Happy Birthday” sung to me in Hungarian (Gábor) Ukrainian (Igor) and Bosnian (Micky). Came out of Indian Bar at 2am and went to bed.
On 9.6.98 Up at 7.30am and on to work. Sorted out house as we had my birthday party, Sharma and Sunny’s going away party + Paco and Gustavo’s going away party here. Igor got the Bar B.Q. going and it was quite a success. Sharma and Sunny supplied Indian food and we had Bar B.Q. German sausage and beef. All the Indians stayed in my lounge and the Europeans stayed around the Bar B.Q. The last to leave was Gábor at 3am. I had to lock the sod out in the end!! One of the Indian guests drank too much and crashed a UN vehicle Nissan pick-up into a ditch and it then smashed against a store wall. X2 passengers and driver slightly injured. The driver blew positive on alco-test. Serves him right for drinking my ale!!
On 10.6.98 was on 4pm–10pm so went and got airline tickets for CTO. Didn’t do much else!!!
11.6.98 had an easy day on 8am-4pm again. Felt awful at about 5pm with headache. Promised Igor that I’d have farewell drink with him and fell asleep till 10pm. Got up and had drink till 12.20am and then went back to bed.
12.6.98 on 8am-4pm Went with Ubavka to Vogošća Police Station and took details of an attempted suicide where a man slashed his belly open in some woods at Semizovac. He’s okay now. Then went to an eviction in Vogošća but nothing happened as no-one would leave and the Local Police didn’t have the power to force them out. (What a system!!!). We hung about from 10am to 12.30pm, I was starving. When it was over took Ubavka straight round to a restaurant called Poema and had a pizza and two coffees. After lunch went to the school at Ilijaš and had a word with the Principal. He gave me a load of letters addressed to the children at St Teresa’s school!! We had quite a chat (via Ubavka), I then went into Ilijaš Police Station and checked that all the number plates (new ones) had been received by them, that was all in order. I’ve only got Vogošća’s left to do. Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 3pm and was given a load more jobs!!!! Also prepared all computer follow-up reports and my patrol report. Finished work at 5pm. Went home and hoovered the house out for 20 mins. (It’s amazing how many peanuts keep popping up after a party!!).
Footnote:- Igor got “repatriated” as a disciplinary measure after his drink/drive accident last February. He hasn’t been paid for 5 months by his own Police Force. And, because of repatriation he’s also got the sack from his job in the Ukraine!! His flight ticket is in Zagreb and he’s got to make his own way there to collect it. He’s currently looking to buy a van so that he can work in the Ukraine. He had to get a local bus for the 10 hour journey at 6.30am today to collect the flight ticket. He’ll then cash it in and come back to Vogošća. Micky in the Indian Bar has promised to help him find a vehicle. It’s got to be under 5 years old so that he can get it in the country (Ukraine) tax free. Enough of my gabblings. I’ll have to phone Del up soon and tell her about my flight arrangements, also get some clothes washed so that I look presentable on the phone.
Fly:- Sarajevo 14.6.98 07.00 OU341Q - From Zagreb 09.40 to Heathrow OU490Q
From Heathrow:- At 11.50 20.6.98 OU491Q - From Zagreb:- at 20.50 OU342 to Sarajevo. Land at 21.15hrs.
On 8.6.98 was as usual on 8am-4pm and did the usual follow-up reports at Ilijaš and Vogošća. Nothing really outstanding happened. Went for a quick drink at night with Gábor and co and ended up having “Happy Birthday” sung to me in Hungarian (Gábor) Ukrainian (Igor) and Bosnian (Micky). Came out of Indian Bar at 2am and went to bed.
On 9.6.98 Up at 7.30am and on to work. Sorted out house as we had my birthday party, Sharma and Sunny’s going away party + Paco and Gustavo’s going away party here. Igor got the Bar B.Q. going and it was quite a success. Sharma and Sunny supplied Indian food and we had Bar B.Q. German sausage and beef. All the Indians stayed in my lounge and the Europeans stayed around the Bar B.Q. The last to leave was Gábor at 3am. I had to lock the sod out in the end!! One of the Indian guests drank too much and crashed a UN vehicle Nissan pick-up into a ditch and it then smashed against a store wall. X2 passengers and driver slightly injured. The driver blew positive on alco-test. Serves him right for drinking my ale!!
On 10.6.98 was on 4pm–10pm so went and got airline tickets for CTO. Didn’t do much else!!!
11.6.98 had an easy day on 8am-4pm again. Felt awful at about 5pm with headache. Promised Igor that I’d have farewell drink with him and fell asleep till 10pm. Got up and had drink till 12.20am and then went back to bed.
12.6.98 on 8am-4pm Went with Ubavka to Vogošća Police Station and took details of an attempted suicide where a man slashed his belly open in some woods at Semizovac. He’s okay now. Then went to an eviction in Vogošća but nothing happened as no-one would leave and the Local Police didn’t have the power to force them out. (What a system!!!). We hung about from 10am to 12.30pm, I was starving. When it was over took Ubavka straight round to a restaurant called Poema and had a pizza and two coffees. After lunch went to the school at Ilijaš and had a word with the Principal. He gave me a load of letters addressed to the children at St Teresa’s school!! We had quite a chat (via Ubavka), I then went into Ilijaš Police Station and checked that all the number plates (new ones) had been received by them, that was all in order. I’ve only got Vogošća’s left to do. Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 3pm and was given a load more jobs!!!! Also prepared all computer follow-up reports and my patrol report. Finished work at 5pm. Went home and hoovered the house out for 20 mins. (It’s amazing how many peanuts keep popping up after a party!!).
Footnote:- Igor got “repatriated” as a disciplinary measure after his drink/drive accident last February. He hasn’t been paid for 5 months by his own Police Force. And, because of repatriation he’s also got the sack from his job in the Ukraine!! His flight ticket is in Zagreb and he’s got to make his own way there to collect it. He’s currently looking to buy a van so that he can work in the Ukraine. He had to get a local bus for the 10 hour journey at 6.30am today to collect the flight ticket. He’ll then cash it in and come back to Vogošća. Micky in the Indian Bar has promised to help him find a vehicle. It’s got to be under 5 years old so that he can get it in the country (Ukraine) tax free. Enough of my gabblings. I’ll have to phone Del up soon and tell her about my flight arrangements, also get some clothes washed so that I look presentable on the phone.
Fly:- Sarajevo 14.6.98 07.00 OU341Q - From Zagreb 09.40 to Heathrow OU490Q
From Heathrow:- At 11.50 20.6.98 OU491Q - From Zagreb:- at 20.50 OU342 to Sarajevo. Land at 21.15hrs.
SATURDAY 13.6.98 7.45pm
Last night after writing I popped round to the Indian Bar to see if Igor had got back but I didn’t see him. Hope that he is okay. Was again on 8am-4pm this morning, went out with Olivera (interpreter) to Vogošća Local Police Station to see about the issue of the new number plates for cars and then went to a house in Hotonj (a small village) at house № 20, there is an old lady who’s had a mine in her garden for the past few weeks. The local army and civil defence will not pick it up so I’ll have to kick some backsides when I get back off leave. Damn! Whist I was writing this I forgot about another job I went to!! It was a request to go and look at a Serbs house at Blaglovac III to see if it’s still standing!! It was and occupied by refugees!! Will have to go across to the nick and make a quick report on the computer and fax it to IPTF Pale in Republika Srpska. After that I’ll get my packing done ready for the big off tomorrow. Also today I received a couple of Birthday cards, one from Del and the other from Esther! Will make myself a cup of tea and take it across to the nick to do this report. See Ya.
MONDAY 22.6.98 4.05pm
Got to Nottingham okay last week, came back last Saturday night (20th) finally got back to Vogošća at 9.40pm. Met Gábor and had a drink.
On Sunday (21.6.98) had a lay-in, went for a meal at 2pm in a restaurant down the road and met Micky (from Indian Bar) it was a very hot day so we drove to Srednje and had a couple of drinks then came back to Vogošća. I watched the football USA v Iran and then went to bed.
Was on 8am-4pm today went out with a German guy (Stefan) who’s been redeployed from Foča for his own safety. Did a few follow-up enquiries, nothing special really. Weather is still very hot and humid. Feel very knackered and clammy at the moment, could do with a bit more leave as I’m not really in the swing of things yet.
9.45pm Am watching England v Romania on TV (World cup) still no score and it’s nearly half time. Have just finished a cup of tea!! I’m a good little boy today!!! It’s now half time – no score. Come on England!! Earlier I phoned Del so all’s not okay at home as usual – the social services are on to her now re the co-op incident!! After speaking to Del at 6.20pm I went across to the nick and played “solitaire” on the computer – well it was something to do wasn’t it!!
On Sunday (21.6.98) had a lay-in, went for a meal at 2pm in a restaurant down the road and met Micky (from Indian Bar) it was a very hot day so we drove to Srednje and had a couple of drinks then came back to Vogošća. I watched the football USA v Iran and then went to bed.
Was on 8am-4pm today went out with a German guy (Stefan) who’s been redeployed from Foča for his own safety. Did a few follow-up enquiries, nothing special really. Weather is still very hot and humid. Feel very knackered and clammy at the moment, could do with a bit more leave as I’m not really in the swing of things yet.
9.45pm Am watching England v Romania on TV (World cup) still no score and it’s nearly half time. Have just finished a cup of tea!! I’m a good little boy today!!! It’s now half time – no score. Come on England!! Earlier I phoned Del so all’s not okay at home as usual – the social services are on to her now re the co-op incident!! After speaking to Del at 6.20pm I went across to the nick and played “solitaire” on the computer – well it was something to do wasn’t it!!
TUESDAY 23.6.98
Was a red hot day, went out with Namal, was supposed to tour I.E.B.L. at Srednje but Namal wanted to buy a car so we ended up at Visoko all day. He ended up with a Mercedes costing 2,700 DM including registration and insurance. It’s old but it goes!! Went to the Indian Bar when I finished work. Had a good thunderstorm so I sat and watched that. At night ate mashed spuds, tinned runner beans and goulash. Was nice. Went to bed at about 1am.
WEDNESDAY 24.6.98 5.35pm
Felt tired all day. Was on patrol with Stefan doing follow-ups at Ilijaš. Had a coffee with Muhammed and Vehid at the police station and then came back to Vogošća for lunch. Went to Golf restaurant and had a large meal so I don’t feel hungry now. Weather was very hot and sticky again with a thunderstorm round about 4pm. It’s all cleared up now. I booked my leave from 23.7.98 to 31.7.98 so I hope after this that Del comes out!!! I still feel tired, don’t think that I’ll bother going out tonight!!
THURSDAY 25.6.98 + FRIDAY 26.6.98
Forgot to write last night so I’ll have to go through two days accounts. After writing the last time I dossed about the house and then went to bed. On Thursday 25.6.98 worked 8am-4pm as usual, I was supposed to do some follow-up enquiries at Vogošća and Ilijaš but because of greedy and selfish people I did not have a vehicle, or for that matter an interpreter so I had to hang about the station until 9.30 when the ignorant people who took the interpreter for nothing came back. I borrowed the Station Commanders vehicle and went to Vogošća with Aleksandra and cleared up a couple of cases after speaking with the Crime Department and then went and checked to see how the new number plate issue was getting along. We came back at 10am because Aleksandra was required to go on a joint patrol and again I was stuffed. I knocked out the two follow-up jobs that I had on the computer and did a report to Regional HQ about the number plates. (Hold-up because an official won’t sign them out of the factory). At 12pm had a phone call from Gustavo (he wanted to swap helmets) and as he’s end of Mission I borrowed Josef’s car again and drove to his house where we swapped them. Got back to Vogošća at 12.40pm and went to lunch. I was really cheesed off with the system, it seems that all the none European staff at this station don’t do any work at all – it’s all left up to the Europeans to do. I had a couple of beers at lunch and had a meal but got called back to the station at 2.30pm for a job. Some gangster was alleging that he had been assaulted by the Station Commander at Ilijaš. (The Station Commander is Muhammed Hasanović and he is a friend of mine!!). I took details and after he had gone found out that this man is a regular complainant and is also a dangerous gangster.
Finished work at 4pm and did a load of washing (shirts, socks, underpants). Went out at 6.45pm and had a couple of beers (Laško) went to bed at 10pm.
On Friday 26.6.98 Went out with Stefan Swedan a German and Edin interpreter to Ilijaš to see Muhammed regarding the above case and then went to Sarajevo to see if I could get Del out here cheaper. Ran all over the place but it would still cost 600 USD which is an awful lot of cash, about £360!!! Had a meal in Sarajevo and then went to the French PX. Bought fags. After the PX went to main HQ and drew our pay after which we went to Paco + Gustavo’s house and ran them to the airport with their baggage. Stefan was driving and he is absolutely stupid!!!
We left the Indians to do the work today so after dropping them off we went to the Norwegians PX and I bought a T-shirt for Brian and one for myself!! Also a decent alarm clock as I can hardly hear the other one.
Finished at 4pm. At 4.05pm Baloch asked me to go and pick up Dicky (Indonesia) who was on afters, I said “Fuck off” and walked out!! Well it's about time the others did some work!! Time now is 6pm so I’ll get a shower and go out. I promised Micky (Indian Bar) that I’d help him write a letter today.
See Ya
Finished work at 4pm and did a load of washing (shirts, socks, underpants). Went out at 6.45pm and had a couple of beers (Laško) went to bed at 10pm.
On Friday 26.6.98 Went out with Stefan Swedan a German and Edin interpreter to Ilijaš to see Muhammed regarding the above case and then went to Sarajevo to see if I could get Del out here cheaper. Ran all over the place but it would still cost 600 USD which is an awful lot of cash, about £360!!! Had a meal in Sarajevo and then went to the French PX. Bought fags. After the PX went to main HQ and drew our pay after which we went to Paco + Gustavo’s house and ran them to the airport with their baggage. Stefan was driving and he is absolutely stupid!!!
We left the Indians to do the work today so after dropping them off we went to the Norwegians PX and I bought a T-shirt for Brian and one for myself!! Also a decent alarm clock as I can hardly hear the other one.
Finished at 4pm. At 4.05pm Baloch asked me to go and pick up Dicky (Indonesia) who was on afters, I said “Fuck off” and walked out!! Well it's about time the others did some work!! Time now is 6pm so I’ll get a shower and go out. I promised Micky (Indian Bar) that I’d help him write a letter today.
See Ya
SATURDAY 27.6.98
Since yesterday:- Got to Indian Bar and a pop group were on!! Bosnian T.V. came at 9pm I was on the TV being interviewed!! I’m now a star!!
Was on 8-4 again today am dealing with a "mafia" type job at the restaurant “Jasmine” in Ilijaš when a youth called “Golud” poured petrol about the place and threatened to set it on fire. He was arrested before any damage was caused but all the relatives are “strong arm boys”, one of them is called “Celo” and he’s a killer. Dispute is over ownership of the restaurant, both factions have papers proving ownership!!! Liaised with Station Commander at Ilijaš – Muhammed but we must wait for the next incident because of lack of evidence regarding threats to kill!!!
After work went to the Indian Bar and had a burger and then came back and did some ironing. Was in bed for 10pm!!
Was on 8-4 again today am dealing with a "mafia" type job at the restaurant “Jasmine” in Ilijaš when a youth called “Golud” poured petrol about the place and threatened to set it on fire. He was arrested before any damage was caused but all the relatives are “strong arm boys”, one of them is called “Celo” and he’s a killer. Dispute is over ownership of the restaurant, both factions have papers proving ownership!!! Liaised with Station Commander at Ilijaš – Muhammed but we must wait for the next incident because of lack of evidence regarding threats to kill!!!
After work went to the Indian Bar and had a burger and then came back and did some ironing. Was in bed for 10pm!!
SUNDAY 28.6.98
Went to Ilijaš first thing re a man in custody for assaulting a police officer. He was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped at 02.00 28.6.98 and the driver was well drunk. Driver blew over the odds and got nicked the next thing is that he’s fighting. He will get 3 days in prison now prior to being charged and then more time in prison. After finishing that I went back to Vogošća and did a long report. Got invited to go out with Josef and Martin (Austria) to an Austrian and Belgian base in Visoko for a meal + drink. Set off at 5.45pm and had cold meats, ham, sausage etc with brown bread + salad. You could take what you wanted for 5 DM. It was bliss!! We then went into a military bar and had a few half litres of draft beer, it was very good and they wouldn’t let me pay. So when the bar at Visoko closed at 10pm I took them to the Indian Bar and got them all a drink. Went to bed at 1am and was up most of the night with chronic indigestion. I’d ran out of tablets and the water was off again!!! I was in a right mess and I didn’t even drink that much!!
MONDAY 29.6.98 5.30pm
Got up at 7.45am with indigestion, at 8.30am went to the apothecary in Vogošća and got some “Gastal” tablets (60). After one of those felt a lot better so I had some breakfast (cheese Burek) and a cup of coffee. The day was roasting hot again with the temperature well into the 90’s. It was hell getting into the vehicles when they were in the sun!!! At about 12 noon I drove into Sarajevo and changed my M.S.A. cheque for 1,300 USD into Dollars at the Turkish bank, I only got charged 14 USD interest!! I then went to Croatian Airlines and booked a ticket for Del. The ticket will be at the Croatian Airlines Desk on Terminal 2 Heathrow, it cost 667 USD!!
Del flies on 23.7.98 at 12.50pm OU491 to Zagreb. Then it’s OU342 at 20.05hrs arriving at 21.15 in Sarajevo.
Leaving it’s Sarajevo at 07.00 27.7.98 OU341 then at 16.55 OU490 to London. Even though it’s now 5.40pm it’s still very hot and clammy. I could do with a good shower and sleep. All I’ve eaten today is that Burek this morning but it’s too hot to enjoy anything. Phoned Del at 6.30pm and gave her the flight details, so that’s all done. Lazed about the house and went out at 8.30pm for a meal when it got cooler. Had a couple of beers and then a meal but every time I ate something I had really bad indigestion, I’d left my “Gastal” tablets at home. In the end I had to leave the meal and go. By 11pm I was in bed and sleeping!!
Del flies on 23.7.98 at 12.50pm OU491 to Zagreb. Then it’s OU342 at 20.05hrs arriving at 21.15 in Sarajevo.
Leaving it’s Sarajevo at 07.00 27.7.98 OU341 then at 16.55 OU490 to London. Even though it’s now 5.40pm it’s still very hot and clammy. I could do with a good shower and sleep. All I’ve eaten today is that Burek this morning but it’s too hot to enjoy anything. Phoned Del at 6.30pm and gave her the flight details, so that’s all done. Lazed about the house and went out at 8.30pm for a meal when it got cooler. Had a couple of beers and then a meal but every time I ate something I had really bad indigestion, I’d left my “Gastal” tablets at home. In the end I had to leave the meal and go. By 11pm I was in bed and sleeping!!
TUESDAY 30.6.98 5pm
Got up at 7am feeling refreshed after a good sleep and was in work for 8am. I swagged the car keys for UN 316118 Toyota Pick-Up and told Josef that I was going to keep it overnight for my Contingency Meeting and Medal Parade tomorrow. I then took Daniella to Sarajevo so that she could collect her new I/D card at RHQ. We then re-fuelled the car, got it washed and returned to Vogošća. Yasser said that he needed to collect an airline ticket in Sarajevo so I gave him my car and sat in as Duty Officer for him. He left at 10am and came back at 1.10pm. I felt like hitting him. I had a load of jobs to do and didn’t manage anything!! Ah well that’s life. Here I am sitting sweating, I’ve got a car, I’ve got money and I’ve got nowhere to go!!! Tomorrow is the British Contingent meeting in the Holiday Inn at Sarajevo. All the Brits meet every 3 months. Also I get my UN medal!!!! What a load of bullshit. We have to be there at 14.00 for the meeting. Then it’s a rehearsal for the parade at 15.30. And then the “Medal Parade” at 17.00 hours. We have to be in uniform and wearing ties. I’ll probably melt in this heat!! Tonight is England v Argentina in the World Cup in France. I daren’t watch it in case we lose!! The interpreter Edin (good guy) wants me to get him a bottle of Jack Daniels at the German PX. I’ll pop in sometime tomorrow or the next day for him and sort it out. Job-wise had an incident reported by local police where a wife stabbed her husband and he’s very ill. The wife is a Serb so I’ve got to take it on board – what a load of bull but it looks good on paper!!! It’s still very, very hot and sticky. I think that I’ll go for a shower and cool down a bit. See You!!!