May
FRIDAY 1.5.98 11.35pm
Had a lazy day, got up late at 8.00am, should have been acting as advisor to Local Police at Ilijaš all day. Had a bad head. Finally made it with Edin as interpreter. It was a holiday so did nothing all day. Got back to Vogošća at 4pm and ended up buying a telly, satellite dish and decoder. There’s a bit missing from the dish, will have to check it out!!! (cost 600 DM).
I’m off to bed now, I’m done in from lack of sleep!!! Roll on CTO!!!
PS Had a phone call from Barry Vincent yesterday, he told me that my flight was booked:- out Sarajevo – Zagreb – Frankfurt – B/Ham.
In:- B/Ham – Munich – Vienna – Sarajevo, It’s like a world tour!!!
I’m off to bed now, I’m done in from lack of sleep!!! Roll on CTO!!!
PS Had a phone call from Barry Vincent yesterday, he told me that my flight was booked:- out Sarajevo – Zagreb – Frankfurt – B/Ham.
In:- B/Ham – Munich – Vienna – Sarajevo, It’s like a world tour!!!
SATURDAY 2.5.98 8.35pm
Went to bed at about 12 midnight last night – just about got up on time this morning. Went to Ilijaš L.P.D. with Ubavka (interpreter). Sat and had coffee in a Slasticarna (cake shop?) but they didn’t have any cake. Went back to the police station and met the Duty Officer and Station Commander (boss). Had more coffee and a chat. D.O. is Vehid and Station Commander Muhammed (can’t remember surnames). After coffee went to PX at Rajlovac with Ubavka, she wanted to buy a Sony Discman, price was 130 DM, bought it for her for 67 DM (they charged the wrong price!!). Ubavka was delighted with her change!!! (Civvies not allowed to buy!!). Got a bottle of whisky for Muhammed, he was also delighted when I gave it to him. He wants me to be a permanent IPTF advisor to his station but alas I can’t!!
Went for meal with the above at a European restaurant in Ilijaš and had lamb + salad. Vehid paid!!! All in all was a good day and am getting to know local cops at last! Got back to Vogošća at 3.30pm and finished work at 4pm. Dossed about for a bit and put satellite dish up – can’t make decoder work yet. Will have to get the dish aligned correctly. Met Gábor at 7pm and had a meal then came back home. Am sitting watching “The Firm” as I write this, is in English with Cyrillic sub-titles!!
Tomorrow I’m on patrol with Josef in Ilijaš and Rajlovac. Will take him for a meal at another restaurant I found in Ilijaš. The weather was sunny today but got a bit overcast in the afternoon, was warm. Now it’s dark have had to put the electric radiators on. Have got 7 more working days to go before leave (yahoo) I’ll be able to eat bacon again!!
Forgot to mention when we was eating in European restaurant I took a photo of Ubavka, Muhammed and Vehid then Ubavka took one of me with them.
Thoughts of the day:- Tired, had good day, very interesting, want to go home for a bit, it all seems to be work!!!
Oh well will write again tomorrow, Bye!!
Went for meal with the above at a European restaurant in Ilijaš and had lamb + salad. Vehid paid!!! All in all was a good day and am getting to know local cops at last! Got back to Vogošća at 3.30pm and finished work at 4pm. Dossed about for a bit and put satellite dish up – can’t make decoder work yet. Will have to get the dish aligned correctly. Met Gábor at 7pm and had a meal then came back home. Am sitting watching “The Firm” as I write this, is in English with Cyrillic sub-titles!!
Tomorrow I’m on patrol with Josef in Ilijaš and Rajlovac. Will take him for a meal at another restaurant I found in Ilijaš. The weather was sunny today but got a bit overcast in the afternoon, was warm. Now it’s dark have had to put the electric radiators on. Have got 7 more working days to go before leave (yahoo) I’ll be able to eat bacon again!!
Forgot to mention when we was eating in European restaurant I took a photo of Ubavka, Muhammed and Vehid then Ubavka took one of me with them.
Thoughts of the day:- Tired, had good day, very interesting, want to go home for a bit, it all seems to be work!!!
Oh well will write again tomorrow, Bye!!
SUNDAY 3.5.98 5.55pm
Hello diary! Finished patrol at 4pm, did report then went home and washed a load of socks and underpants – very interesting. Was on 8am-4pm today with Josef (Austria). First went to Ilijaš Local PD to show Baloch around the place and collect the daily bulletin from them. (Last 24 hours crime events and incidents). Showed Olivera who was with Baloch all the decent restaurants and then had coffee at Tiho Noći Restaurant at about 10.30am. Also went to a Serb lady’s house (Mrs Radić) in Podlugovi and spoke to her via Olivera re her complaint against the Local Council (Municipality) and had coffee + šljivovica with her (very strong). After solving her problems went back to IPTF Vogošća and did a follow-up report on the computer. Back at the nick Alain told me I was Human Rights Officer and an Investigator with Kenan (Turkey) and we have our own vehicle. At last instead of wandering about I’ll be able to get my teeth into a job!!
Kenan is on 4pm-10pm shift today so will have to see if I can get shift changes so that we can work together – makes sense doesn’t it!!!
This afternoon went back to Tiho Noći Restaurant for a meal, had trout – was very nice, also had several glasses of wine which was nicer!! Today it’s been overcast and raining off and on all day. Quite miserable. Have seen loads of damaged cars on the main Visoko – Sarajevo road, people drive like maniacs!!! The T.V. is very boring – so far have not got the satellite up and running. I need some decent co-axial cable to make strong connections, I think that I’ll wait and get some bits and pieces in England!
Kenan is on 4pm-10pm shift today so will have to see if I can get shift changes so that we can work together – makes sense doesn’t it!!!
This afternoon went back to Tiho Noći Restaurant for a meal, had trout – was very nice, also had several glasses of wine which was nicer!! Today it’s been overcast and raining off and on all day. Quite miserable. Have seen loads of damaged cars on the main Visoko – Sarajevo road, people drive like maniacs!!! The T.V. is very boring – so far have not got the satellite up and running. I need some decent co-axial cable to make strong connections, I think that I’ll wait and get some bits and pieces in England!
MONDAY 4.5.98
Went out to meeting with Alain and Sharma to see Chief of Police Ilijaš – spoke about difficulties of policing the area and got info that approx. 800 refugees from Srebrenica are coming by bus to view houses here. Will cause many problems when they view their old houses, that happens on the 8th of this month. We also heard that on the top floor of the police station were stored some explosives – grenades etc that had been handed in by the public. When we asked the Chief if this was true he stated that it wasn’t and we could search the building. We went upstairs to the “Civil Defence” room and found enough shells, rockets, mortars, grenades and mines to blow up half of Ilijaš!!! System is that the local army is supposed to remove it but they were too lazy to come out. We got them to store it in a secure locker away from people and made sure that the army would collect it!!! That Police Chief is a wily old fox!!! After that saw the local Mayor and got all his problems re housing and how the International Community keeps pushing him to get people re-settled. – Major problems, I cannot even begin to describe the problems – 1,300 houses destroyed – 1,200 homeless people!!! At about 12.40pm went back to the nick and stood in as Duty Officer for the rest of the day – Igor had to go to Sarajevo. Finished at 4.30pm and had a meal cabbage, spuds + goulash, was okay. Just started relaxing and watching T.V. (Grace and Favour) in English when Gábor came round and dragged me off for a drink at the Indian Bar down the road!!!
Got home at 12am and went to bed.
Got home at 12am and went to bed.
TUESDAY 5.5.98 19.05pm
Got up at 7.30am, polished shoes, shave etc and went across the road to work. Was Advisor at Ilijaš P.D. today, interpreter was Sajed. Got to Ilijaš at 8.45am, said hello to the Duty Officer and then went for a coffee and juice in the town. We then had a look at the nursery run by an English bloke next door to the nick and had a cup of tea. The nursery has 10 children and feeds 20+ at lunchtime. There’s also one orphan living in. They need nappies and all sorts of stuff to keep going. After leaving went back into the nick and then lunch – soup, lamb + salad – was very full!! (for a change). At 12pm got called to go to meet IPTF from Rogatica they had case of cattle theft and suspects + cattle were in an area on a mountain above Srednje. Had crossed over IEBL into our area. Went to Srednje, picked up Local Officer after explaining reason and drove up a lousy mud road on the side of a mountain to the area. I can’t describe the route but it was very dangerous and steep, we definitely couldn’t have got up there without 4 wheel drive. If it had been raining I think that I’d have refused to go!!! When we got to the top met “Sierra 63” from Rogatica and the complainant. Local Officer took details and will get Crime Department at Vogošća to investigate. I will have to do the follow-up!!! After slipping down that mountain road I think that I can just about drive anywhere!! Got back to Vogošća at 4.45pm and finished duty at 5pm. All in all a normal day in the big city!! I’ve just had a cup of coffee and x3 hot dogs with “senf” so that’ll do me. I’m ready for a quiet and early night tonight!!! When I was with the local cop Gábor called me on the radio re going to Vogošća “sub station” (Indian Bar) and even he knows him!!!! I’ve got to give him his regards!!
Can’t think of anything else happening today. Tomorrow have got a meeting at Regional HQ Sarajevo at 12.00, am Human Rights Investigator with Kenan. I cleared the last case up (Mrs Radić) so that should be an easy meeting!!! Whilst I’m there I can pop in to see Barry Vincent and get my flock jacket and air tickets for CTO – (5 MORE DAYS).
Can’t think of anything else happening today. Tomorrow have got a meeting at Regional HQ Sarajevo at 12.00, am Human Rights Investigator with Kenan. I cleared the last case up (Mrs Radić) so that should be an easy meeting!!! Whilst I’m there I can pop in to see Barry Vincent and get my flock jacket and air tickets for CTO – (5 MORE DAYS).
WEDNESDAY 6.5.98
Went to HQ and saw Barry Vincent – states tickets should be at Croatian Airlines office in Sarajevo. Went down but computer down so still don’t know where the tickets are!! Had Human Rights meeting and then cleared up a couple of cases with Kenan. After lunch went back to Croatian Airlines office but computer was down, will have to try again tomorrow. Finished work at 4pm and dossed about the house for a couple of hours. At 8pm went with Gábor to Gitano’s Disco in Serb side and had a few drinks, was the French contingents party. Noise was very loud so ended up at Indian Bar until 4am!!! Ended up singing and dancing!!
THURSDAY 7.5.98 10.55pm
Woke up on the settee with a hangover, glad I’m 4-10 shift today!! Got off the settee at 8am and went to bed until 3pm – felt awful. Helped Alain prepare some orders for graveyard visits by Serbs in our area for tomorrow – about 140 are coming from Brčko, hope that there’s no trouble. I changed my shift from 4-10 tomorrow to 8-4 to give them a dig out. I’ll be going to the graveyards at Podlugovi and Bioča near to Ilijaš with an interpreter.
Tried phoning Croatian Air again today at 3.30pm but the bloody computer was still down. I’ll have to pull my finger out to get those tickets!! Will pester them again tomorrow. At 9pm met Gábor and drove him to IPTF Kula where he works – he’s on nights at the moment, on the way back I took the wrong road and ended up going towards Mostar instead of Zenica. I had a right job turning round. Roads are pitch black, no street lighting, I ended up in Butmir. Anyway found my way back and picked up a beefburger in Vogošća. Got back at 10.15pm and finished duty. Sat down at home and scoffed burger whilst watching English film on T.V.
Tried phoning Croatian Air again today at 3.30pm but the bloody computer was still down. I’ll have to pull my finger out to get those tickets!! Will pester them again tomorrow. At 9pm met Gábor and drove him to IPTF Kula where he works – he’s on nights at the moment, on the way back I took the wrong road and ended up going towards Mostar instead of Zenica. I had a right job turning round. Roads are pitch black, no street lighting, I ended up in Butmir. Anyway found my way back and picked up a beefburger in Vogošća. Got back at 10.15pm and finished duty. Sat down at home and scoffed burger whilst watching English film on T.V.
FRIDAY 8.5.98
Got up at 6.45am feeling refreshed, went into work at 7.30am and picked up Dicky and Ama from home. Went with a monitor and interpreter from Ilidža for graveyard visit by Serbs to Podlugovi and Bioča. There were no problems at all. Had a snack in Hotel Ilijaš and it cost 15.50 DM for us all which I thought was expensive. The bloody monitor from Ilijaš never even offered to pay his whack ignorant Tunisian sod!!!
Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 1.45pm and then went with Martin (Austria) in the minibus to Sarajevo to Regional HQ at 2pm. He had to sort out some vehicles with the M.T.O. and I thought that I’d get my air tickets. After the usual 1 ½ hour wait at R.H.Q. I took the minibus and went myself to Croatian Airlines. At least the tickets were ready for me!! Martin drove back in a Cherokee jeep that we’d been issued and I took the minibus back after having to divert to Tito Barracks to pick up my body armour from Mike Holdsworth. Finished work at 4.45pm and dossed about the house. Had chicken for dinner with cabbage and spuds, was okay. I just finished washing up and was ready for a night in watching TV when Gábor came round!! That was it, out at the Indian Bar again!!!
Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 1.45pm and then went with Martin (Austria) in the minibus to Sarajevo to Regional HQ at 2pm. He had to sort out some vehicles with the M.T.O. and I thought that I’d get my air tickets. After the usual 1 ½ hour wait at R.H.Q. I took the minibus and went myself to Croatian Airlines. At least the tickets were ready for me!! Martin drove back in a Cherokee jeep that we’d been issued and I took the minibus back after having to divert to Tito Barracks to pick up my body armour from Mike Holdsworth. Finished work at 4.45pm and dossed about the house. Had chicken for dinner with cabbage and spuds, was okay. I just finished washing up and was ready for a night in watching TV when Gábor came round!! That was it, out at the Indian Bar again!!!
SATURDAY 9.5.98 15.50pm
Went to bed at 3.30am after finishing at the Indian Bar!! Got up at noon and had a shower and shave. Popped across the road and met Kenan (Turkey) he had something to do on the computer re human rights so I gave him a dig out doing the typing for him (My English is better!!). I then dossed about a bit and borrowed a rucksack from Baloch for England. At 2.50pm walked into Vogošća centre and had a Ćevapi at Unis Grill with coffee and a glass of orange juice, bought a loaf of bread and came back home. There’s a load of rubbish on the T.V. at the moment, the only decent picture (BHT) Bosnian Herzegovina Television has got football on (German). Pretty soon I’ll have to clean my bedroom and the living room up before I go (I’m getting like Del!!). I’m looking forward to tomorrow, I should be home at this time if all goes well. Sergei is on nights tonight so I’ll have to scrounge a lift to the airport off him!!
For the past two days the weather has been fantastic – hot and sunny. Yesterday at the graveyard visits I bought some cokes for x2 local cops stuck on duty in the middle of nowhere. (That’s x2 more friends I’ve made at Ilijaš).
I seem to be getting on with quite a few locals now and seem to have been accepted into the community, Oh well I’d better get the hoover out and do my bit now!!
10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th MAY 98 - LEAVE
For the past two days the weather has been fantastic – hot and sunny. Yesterday at the graveyard visits I bought some cokes for x2 local cops stuck on duty in the middle of nowhere. (That’s x2 more friends I’ve made at Ilijaš).
I seem to be getting on with quite a few locals now and seem to have been accepted into the community, Oh well I’d better get the hoover out and do my bit now!!
10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th MAY 98 - LEAVE
SATURDAY 16.5.98
Got back to Vogošća at 6.30pm got unpacked and went to Indian Bar for a coke, didn’t feel like beer. Went to bed early and conked out!!
SUNDAY 17.5.98 5pm
Finished work at 4pm today, didn’t do much all day being a Sunday, was supposed to be on solo patrol in Vogošća and Rajlovac area but had the “post CTO blues”. Feel a bit fed up at the moment, not much cash left and after pay day won’t have much cash left for CTO. Have put next CTO application in for 15th June to 20th June, so I’ve got another 28 days to go before I go away again (that’s including the two un-official “travel days”!!!!). As yet I don’t know what the prices are for England regarding air flights. One things certain though, I don’t intend paying 1,822 U.S. Dollars for a ticket like the government did!!!!
I feel totally knackered at the moment, after work I went down to the shops and bought some spuds, cabbage, eggs, hot dogs and a couple of cans of goulash for a meal. I’ve got some chicken in the freezer but over the past few days (and today) we’ve had power cuts all day so I don’t trust the meat.
Regarding the 10th May, when I went on leave I got up at 4am and found that the water was off so I doused myself from a container of cold water I’ve got. Went across to the IPTF station to wake Sergei up at 5am and was ringing the bell and banging on the door for a good 15 minutes before I could wake him up!! Got to the airport at 6am and had ½ hour wait before booking in. Flew out at 7am on a twin-engine prop plane, which was very nice (Croatian Airlines). Landed in Zagreb at 7.50am then changed onto another Croatian jet for the leg to Frankfurt. I was business class in that one – was even nicer. At Frankfurt had a long walk to get to the train and went to Terminal 2 for B.A. flight to Birmingham. Got home at 12.40pm, not bad. On the way back got up at 4am, Del drove me to Birmingham airport for 6am. I then booked bags in and flew on an Avro jet to Munich, changed onto another Avro (Lufthansa) to Vienna. Then the fun started. Was supposed to leave Vienna at 13.20 and the plane had navigation problems. Austrian Air changed the plane and at 5.30pm we took off (I was in business class again!!). Got into Sarajevo at 6.30pm and got a taxi to Vogošća 25 DM. (Robbing sod)!!
I miss Brian, could do with him coming out with Del in July to visit me!!! Have checked CTO and dates in July are (with travel days 20th - 27th) will also have accumulated 4 ½ days leave to take when I want so in theory I could go home as well!!! I’ll have to stop thinking about home and get stuck into work tomorrow otherwise I’ll crack up!! Hey-ho I’ll go and cook dinner now. See Ya!!
I feel totally knackered at the moment, after work I went down to the shops and bought some spuds, cabbage, eggs, hot dogs and a couple of cans of goulash for a meal. I’ve got some chicken in the freezer but over the past few days (and today) we’ve had power cuts all day so I don’t trust the meat.
Regarding the 10th May, when I went on leave I got up at 4am and found that the water was off so I doused myself from a container of cold water I’ve got. Went across to the IPTF station to wake Sergei up at 5am and was ringing the bell and banging on the door for a good 15 minutes before I could wake him up!! Got to the airport at 6am and had ½ hour wait before booking in. Flew out at 7am on a twin-engine prop plane, which was very nice (Croatian Airlines). Landed in Zagreb at 7.50am then changed onto another Croatian jet for the leg to Frankfurt. I was business class in that one – was even nicer. At Frankfurt had a long walk to get to the train and went to Terminal 2 for B.A. flight to Birmingham. Got home at 12.40pm, not bad. On the way back got up at 4am, Del drove me to Birmingham airport for 6am. I then booked bags in and flew on an Avro jet to Munich, changed onto another Avro (Lufthansa) to Vienna. Then the fun started. Was supposed to leave Vienna at 13.20 and the plane had navigation problems. Austrian Air changed the plane and at 5.30pm we took off (I was in business class again!!). Got into Sarajevo at 6.30pm and got a taxi to Vogošća 25 DM. (Robbing sod)!!
I miss Brian, could do with him coming out with Del in July to visit me!!! Have checked CTO and dates in July are (with travel days 20th - 27th) will also have accumulated 4 ½ days leave to take when I want so in theory I could go home as well!!! I’ll have to stop thinking about home and get stuck into work tomorrow otherwise I’ll crack up!! Hey-ho I’ll go and cook dinner now. See Ya!!
MONDAY 18.5.98
Did solo patrol in Ilijaš area with Dicky Atatoy (Indonesia) also went to the PX and bought some cigs, didn’t do much as we had no interpreter. Went to Indian Bar at night and had a couple.
TUESDAY 19.5.98
Felt awful when I got up – very tired. Was on patrol with Sergei. Picked up Bulletins at Vogošća and Ilijaš and then got called to go to Vogošća L.P. with an interpreter. Turned out to be a visit with Local Police to house in Donja Jošanica regarding eviction tomorrow. The occupants are threatening to cause trouble. After we had a meeting with Police Chief and I promised I would attend to see if done correctly tomorrow. These people who are to be evicted have had a year to get out and have been offered several houses so far. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. Had lunch at 1pm I had soup and lamb with salad. Finished work at 4pm and I sat down to watch TV at home and fell asleep. Went to bed at 7pm and woke up at 6am the next day!!
WEDNESDAY 20.5.98
Time now is 7.35am, have been up since 6am and feel a damn sight better than yesterday. It’s been raining all night so I’ve got my boots on. I’m just drinking a cup of coffee before going to work. Have got the eviction today – hope that there’s no trouble, the wife of the bloke to be evicted said that they would mine the house and get refugees from Srebrenica to cause a demonstration. (This is the first eviction with a court order so we’ll be making history)!!! I must go now and get into work!!
6pm Finished work at 5.30pm and spent ½ hour yapping in the nick. The eviction went off peacefully if not tearfully by the wife. Got finished with that at 12.50pm and then had to go and monitor some hand grenades and a couple of shells being handed over to the local army by the police and civil defence. The only problem was no paperwork so the local cops had to nip back to Vogošća and type out a programme for everyone to sign. (If the army didn’t have this paperwork SFOR would say that they were in breach of their weapons issue and confiscate a load of their weapons!!).
It’s all quiet now, at 4pm when I should have finished I had to run Olivera home to Kula and pick up Aleksandra, that’s an hours run there and back!!! At least I know where I can buy fresh pork now whilst in Republika Srpska!!! The weather has been rainy all day, really overcast and miserable. I gave Mladen a pair of my boots today, I don’t need 3 pairs of the bloody things anyway, he was quite happy about it especially when I told him that I didn’t want any money!!!! He kept trying them on for size!! Well, I think that I’ll get washed up now, and sort a meal out for myself!!
See you later!!
6pm Finished work at 5.30pm and spent ½ hour yapping in the nick. The eviction went off peacefully if not tearfully by the wife. Got finished with that at 12.50pm and then had to go and monitor some hand grenades and a couple of shells being handed over to the local army by the police and civil defence. The only problem was no paperwork so the local cops had to nip back to Vogošća and type out a programme for everyone to sign. (If the army didn’t have this paperwork SFOR would say that they were in breach of their weapons issue and confiscate a load of their weapons!!).
It’s all quiet now, at 4pm when I should have finished I had to run Olivera home to Kula and pick up Aleksandra, that’s an hours run there and back!!! At least I know where I can buy fresh pork now whilst in Republika Srpska!!! The weather has been rainy all day, really overcast and miserable. I gave Mladen a pair of my boots today, I don’t need 3 pairs of the bloody things anyway, he was quite happy about it especially when I told him that I didn’t want any money!!!! He kept trying them on for size!! Well, I think that I’ll get washed up now, and sort a meal out for myself!!
See you later!!
THURSDAY 21.5.98
Did Duty Officer on 8am – 4pm today, for a change the weather was beautiful and I was stuck inside doing all the duties on the computer and answering the telephone. My duties as Duty Officer are: prepare the “pick-up” and “drop-off” list as everyone lives a fair distance away from the station and need transport to and from work. Then it’s prepare the daily duty roster, after that it’s the morning and afternoon duty rosters (you have to put down who’s with who, call sign, vehicle assigned, patrol area and times, also whether they’re on patrol with the army or local police). After that it’s the D.S.R (Daily Situation Report) this includes all incidents, monitors on duty and leave, same with interpreters. Weapons checks, meetings, checkpoints, - in other words everything that’s done, it takes ages to do and you even have to include the local police daily events (incidents) from our three Local Police Stations at Vogošća, Ilijaš and Novi Grad. All the above has to be faxed to Regional HQ at Sarajevo by 4pm. It’s a right pain in the bum!!!
Got finished at 4.30pm got changed and went to the Indian Bar for a beer, met Ismail there. At 9pm went to the restaurant and had lamb – very nice. Finally to bed at about 11pm.
Got finished at 4.30pm got changed and went to the Indian Bar for a beer, met Ismail there. At 9pm went to the restaurant and had lamb – very nice. Finally to bed at about 11pm.
FRIDAY 22.5.98 6pm
Finished 8am-4pm at 5pm!! Was Duty Officer again – still think it’s a rotten job. Has been raining all day and had thunder and lightning whilst out for a meal break in Poema Pizza restaurant in downtown Vogošća. The meal was very good, had pizza (obviously) but it had cheese and a fried egg on it. I asked for a small one and could hardly finish it!! Cost 6DM (£2). Tonight I’m on nights at 10pm as Duty Officer yet again. At least we don’t do anything all night!! I swapped with Ama as she wanted to do mornings!! My next shift is mornings and then onto nights again, good here isn’t it!! Think I’ll get my head down soon ready for tonight.
SATURDAY 23.5.98
Did the night shift with Napoleon, nothing to report. Went to bed at 2am and got up at 6.30am. Then finished at 8am and went to bed from 9am to 1.15pm. After that I dossed around town and went to the Indian Bar. Felt tired so left Indian Bar and went to bed at about midnight.
SUNDAY 24.5.98 7.35pm
Got up at 7.30am washed, shaved and started work, was with Kenan trying to get some investigation done but couldn’t. Weather was warm and nice and we ended up at the car sales near Sarajevo. Don’t rate what was on offer very much!!! Average price for a 1986-89 V.W. Golf 2,000-3,500 DM £666-£1,166. There was a 1986 Sierra 4x4 for sale in very good nick = £1,500 (4,500 DM) I daresay it could have been knocked down 500 DM!!
Finished work at 4pm and then dossed about the house, had cabbage, spuds and gravy for dinner!! For the past couple of days I’ve had horrific acid, I’ll have to change my diet and cut down on the fags.
At 7.10pm phoned Del up and said hello – business – business – business!!!
Tonight I’m on 10pm - 8am at the nick, it’s a doss really!! I’m with Sergei tonight! Yesterday when I went for some Ćevapi in the Grill Unis I got talking to a girl called Leyla who was practicing her English on me – I thought that I was trying to learn their language!!!
Will get off now. Some time during the week I’ll have to contact a travel agent and sort out a flight to UK if it’s not too expensive!!!!
Finished work at 4pm and then dossed about the house, had cabbage, spuds and gravy for dinner!! For the past couple of days I’ve had horrific acid, I’ll have to change my diet and cut down on the fags.
At 7.10pm phoned Del up and said hello – business – business – business!!!
Tonight I’m on 10pm - 8am at the nick, it’s a doss really!! I’m with Sergei tonight! Yesterday when I went for some Ćevapi in the Grill Unis I got talking to a girl called Leyla who was practicing her English on me – I thought that I was trying to learn their language!!!
Will get off now. Some time during the week I’ll have to contact a travel agent and sort out a flight to UK if it’s not too expensive!!!!
MONDAY 25.5.98 4.03pm
Did the night shift okay. I really started to feel very ill – tight chest, drowsy, lethargic etc. Good job I was on nights – put the camp bed up at midnight and slept until 6.15am. Finished work at 8.30am and went back to bed – got up again at 2pm and had a shower. I still feel very drowsy and weak, I don’t know what’s up with me. Chest is still very tight and I’ve cut the fags right down. Went to the market and bought some potatoes and carrots just to eat healthily!! So far I’ve not even had a cup of tea so I think that’s first on the menu!!
5.30pm Had my tea and used the milk powder for the first time instead of the milk they sell here. Must admit the tea tastes a lot better. At the moment I’ve got spuds, carrots, and cabbage on the stove, I’m going to have that lot with a couple of small tins of beef goulash in its own gravy. Tastes a little like stewed beef. The tea picked me up a bit but still feel a little light headed.
P.S. time now is 8.20pm have had some bread + jam and another cup of tea. Forgot to mention the weather, it’s been overcast and rainy all day. Have got the BBC World News on the radio and Belgrade TV on as well (mute button on) the programme is about A320 Air buses!! On B.H.T. (best reception) is a play so can’t make head or tail of it!! I’ve done nothing today but feel like I could just go back to bed. I’m on nights again tonight so will get a couple of hours in then!! So far I’ve not been able to deliver the letters from Catherine’s school to the primary school here. I’ve either been on the wrong shift since I came back or I’ve had no interpreter!!! As soon as I’m on mornings I’ll sort something out.
5.30pm Had my tea and used the milk powder for the first time instead of the milk they sell here. Must admit the tea tastes a lot better. At the moment I’ve got spuds, carrots, and cabbage on the stove, I’m going to have that lot with a couple of small tins of beef goulash in its own gravy. Tastes a little like stewed beef. The tea picked me up a bit but still feel a little light headed.
P.S. time now is 8.20pm have had some bread + jam and another cup of tea. Forgot to mention the weather, it’s been overcast and rainy all day. Have got the BBC World News on the radio and Belgrade TV on as well (mute button on) the programme is about A320 Air buses!! On B.H.T. (best reception) is a play so can’t make head or tail of it!! I’ve done nothing today but feel like I could just go back to bed. I’m on nights again tonight so will get a couple of hours in then!! So far I’ve not been able to deliver the letters from Catherine’s school to the primary school here. I’ve either been on the wrong shift since I came back or I’ve had no interpreter!!! As soon as I’m on mornings I’ll sort something out.
Did nights again, felt a lot better than the other day. Managed to get some sleep between 2am – 6.15am so not so bad. Finished work at 8am the next day.
WEDNESDAY 27.5.98 6.30pm
Didn’t bother going to bed when I got off work the other day 26.5.98 8am. Had a shower then hung about the nick for a while, ended up going down to the Unis Bistro at about 12.30pm (26.5.98) and had a cup of coffee and some “Laško”. Left there at about 4.30pm and had some “Burek” in another café after which I ended up in the Indian Bar and got ratted!!!
27.5.98 6.40pm
Got home at about 01.00 this morning and fell into bed. Got up at 7.30am feeling bloody awful (self inflicted). Got into work at 8am and was posted to do some follow-up investigations with Theivy (France). Ismail was going to the Main HQ so I gave him authorisation to collect my pay. I then went to Ilijaš and saw Vehid, a local cop who’s on leave at the moment. I promised that I’d get him some fags. I also saw Muhammed the Station Commander and had a coffee with him. Got back to Vogošća at 12.00 but Ismail never turned up with my pay until 3.30pm so I didn’t manage to get Vehid’s fags. I felt a right idiot!!! Finished work at 4pm and feel like a zombie, I must get some kip soon!! Tomorrow I’ve got some more enquiries to do so I’ll go to the PX then. I must also go to the travel agents and see how much it costs to go home!! I’ve just had egg and chips my first meal today!!! At the moment I’ve got the T.V. on mute and the BBC World News on the radio. The news is about the Rouble being in trouble in Russia.
Forgot to mention I also grabbed Olivera (interpreter) at Ilijaš and went to a primary school there to hand over the letters from Catherine’s school. I gave them to the headmaster who promised me that he’d pass them to the teachers. I’ve got to go back before the 15th June to collect the replies. I don’t know what the headmasters name is but he looked really grim when I first went in, his face softened a bit though when I explained it all and passed him the letters. Well my eyes are getting heavy so I’m going to bed soon.
See Ya.
27.5.98 6.40pm
Got home at about 01.00 this morning and fell into bed. Got up at 7.30am feeling bloody awful (self inflicted). Got into work at 8am and was posted to do some follow-up investigations with Theivy (France). Ismail was going to the Main HQ so I gave him authorisation to collect my pay. I then went to Ilijaš and saw Vehid, a local cop who’s on leave at the moment. I promised that I’d get him some fags. I also saw Muhammed the Station Commander and had a coffee with him. Got back to Vogošća at 12.00 but Ismail never turned up with my pay until 3.30pm so I didn’t manage to get Vehid’s fags. I felt a right idiot!!! Finished work at 4pm and feel like a zombie, I must get some kip soon!! Tomorrow I’ve got some more enquiries to do so I’ll go to the PX then. I must also go to the travel agents and see how much it costs to go home!! I’ve just had egg and chips my first meal today!!! At the moment I’ve got the T.V. on mute and the BBC World News on the radio. The news is about the Rouble being in trouble in Russia.
Forgot to mention I also grabbed Olivera (interpreter) at Ilijaš and went to a primary school there to hand over the letters from Catherine’s school. I gave them to the headmaster who promised me that he’d pass them to the teachers. I’ve got to go back before the 15th June to collect the replies. I don’t know what the headmasters name is but he looked really grim when I first went in, his face softened a bit though when I explained it all and passed him the letters. Well my eyes are getting heavy so I’m going to bed soon.
See Ya.
THURSDAY 28.5.98 7.35pm
Had a good sleep and got up at 7am feeling fresh. Went into work at 8am and saw that from the duties I was on my own doing all the follow-up cases, unfortunately I had no vehicle or interpreter!!! Stayed at the nick until 10.20am and then went out with Alain (Station Commander) to French PX and then Ilijaš where I had a follow-up to do. Bought some cigs and a bottle of scotch at the PX for Vehid and Muhammed at Ilijaš. Vehid was on leave but I saw him at the station, he was chuffed with the fags. Muhammed was out so I left the scotch with his secretary. Regarding the follow-up the chief of CID was out so I’ll have to go back tomorrow to get the case closed. (It involves smashing of gravestones in a Serb cemetery). Sounds petty but it’s a big deal across here where everything is political! Selma (interpreter) and Faruq were at Ilijaš, Faruq is the IPTF advisor there so Alain took us all to Visoko where Selma lives and she pointed out a good restaurant. It was very nice (western). I had beef + veg soup then Beefsteak, chips + salad followed by ice-cream + coffee. The meal was excellent I couldn’t have asked for a better one in England. AND even better, Alain paid for it.
The weather has been really hot and sunny today, it feels like summer for a change. Gábor came into the nick at Vogošća at 3.30pm, he’s just come back from Hungary and is on afternoons. Have arranged to meet him at the Indian Bar at 10pm tonight for a de-brief!!! After gassing for a while I went home and did a load of washing and ironing that had been stacking up on me. At least I’ve got a load of clean socks and underpants now!!! I’m just finishing a cup of tea and then I’ll go out. I really don’t want a late night tonight!! This morning I got Napoleon to collect my M.S.A. cheque it was 1,390 US Dollars. Also I found out that the flight on Austria Air Sarajevo – London is 450 US Dollars. So I don’t know whether to go home or not!!!! I’ll just have to see.
The weather has been really hot and sunny today, it feels like summer for a change. Gábor came into the nick at Vogošća at 3.30pm, he’s just come back from Hungary and is on afternoons. Have arranged to meet him at the Indian Bar at 10pm tonight for a de-brief!!! After gassing for a while I went home and did a load of washing and ironing that had been stacking up on me. At least I’ve got a load of clean socks and underpants now!!! I’m just finishing a cup of tea and then I’ll go out. I really don’t want a late night tonight!! This morning I got Napoleon to collect my M.S.A. cheque it was 1,390 US Dollars. Also I found out that the flight on Austria Air Sarajevo – London is 450 US Dollars. So I don’t know whether to go home or not!!!! I’ll just have to see.
FRIDAY 29.5.98 8.55pm
(Was on 8am-4pm today)
Went downtown to a travel agents called BIO and found out I can get home for 370 Dollars if I fly to Zagreb and then Heathrow, in Deutschemarks it’s 730 so I’m going for it. Will fly Croatian Air at 7am to Zagreb and then on to London arriving at 11.00. Coming back I leave London at 12.00 but then have a wait for several hours arriving at Sarajevo at 9.15pm. Also today I got a load of jobs at the station for investigation, won’t bore you too much but the most important one where local cops confiscated 30,000 DM worth of fags in 1996 and injured party is now entitled to them back, it looks like a court cock-up. And also a woman who is being kicked out of her flat soon and the flat that’s hers is occupied by a bloke with no papers, with this one I’ve got to get copies of all her papers and go to the local council (opeina) or Municipality. Hopefully they will sort it for her.
I went shopping today and bought some beef, I don’t know whether to cook it now or not, I don’t really feel hungry but I don’t think that it’ll keep. Sod it I’m going to put it in the oven before the electricity goes off again!! 9.30pm Back again, put rubbish out (it stank) and put meat in oven. Also peeled some spuds for roast potatoes. The meat isn’t exactly a joint but I’ll see how it goes. At least I can have cold roast beef sarnies for the next few days!!
Have just phoned Del up and told her that I’ll be home in June. All I got was a negative response because of my behaviour the last time I was home. I can’t blame her, I drank too much and was always at the pub or asleep. This time I’m not going to be such a pig. I really miss Brian. See you tomorrow.
Went downtown to a travel agents called BIO and found out I can get home for 370 Dollars if I fly to Zagreb and then Heathrow, in Deutschemarks it’s 730 so I’m going for it. Will fly Croatian Air at 7am to Zagreb and then on to London arriving at 11.00. Coming back I leave London at 12.00 but then have a wait for several hours arriving at Sarajevo at 9.15pm. Also today I got a load of jobs at the station for investigation, won’t bore you too much but the most important one where local cops confiscated 30,000 DM worth of fags in 1996 and injured party is now entitled to them back, it looks like a court cock-up. And also a woman who is being kicked out of her flat soon and the flat that’s hers is occupied by a bloke with no papers, with this one I’ve got to get copies of all her papers and go to the local council (opeina) or Municipality. Hopefully they will sort it for her.
I went shopping today and bought some beef, I don’t know whether to cook it now or not, I don’t really feel hungry but I don’t think that it’ll keep. Sod it I’m going to put it in the oven before the electricity goes off again!! 9.30pm Back again, put rubbish out (it stank) and put meat in oven. Also peeled some spuds for roast potatoes. The meat isn’t exactly a joint but I’ll see how it goes. At least I can have cold roast beef sarnies for the next few days!!
Have just phoned Del up and told her that I’ll be home in June. All I got was a negative response because of my behaviour the last time I was home. I can’t blame her, I drank too much and was always at the pub or asleep. This time I’m not going to be such a pig. I really miss Brian. See you tomorrow.
SATURDAY 30.5.98
Did 8-4 today doing follow-up enquiries, still feel fed-up. Same old jobs, same old faces.
Finished work at 4pm, met up with Gábor and went to Sebastian coffee bar for a couple of hours until 7.30pm. I then left as Gábor was on nights. I took a bottle of Bacardi across to the station and sipped some there for the hell of it. Went to bed at about 11.30pm.
Finished work at 4pm, met up with Gábor and went to Sebastian coffee bar for a couple of hours until 7.30pm. I then left as Gábor was on nights. I took a bottle of Bacardi across to the station and sipped some there for the hell of it. Went to bed at about 11.30pm.
SUNDAY 31.5.98 5pm
Nice sunny day today, again I was on 8am-4pm doing my incident follow-ups. Had a Serb come in the station moaning that he’d been threatened in Tihovići earlier today so I made an incident about it and will follow-up tomorrow.
The weather's hot and sunny. I wish that I wasn’t going home now as I’m broke!!! I feel really fed-up, I could do with some company now and again, there’s absolutely nothing to do here apart from drink!!! Gábor is coming round at 6pm but I don’t feel like doing anything.
The weather's hot and sunny. I wish that I wasn’t going home now as I’m broke!!! I feel really fed-up, I could do with some company now and again, there’s absolutely nothing to do here apart from drink!!! Gábor is coming round at 6pm but I don’t feel like doing anything.