September
THURSDAY 3.9.98 9.25pm
Well, I got back okay yesterday, got back to Vogošća at 3.30pm. At Sarajevo airport I met a Brit (Bernie) and used her radio to call the station for a lift, Qasem came after about 10 mins so all was well. I then had a drink with Zsolt and Gergely and crashed in bed at about 10pm. Today (3rd) they all think that I’m on a travel day as I’m not on the duties, so sod them I didn’t bother going into work. I borrowed a couple of documentary tapes about Bosnia, set up the video and watched them for a couple of hours. I also made a “stonking” chilli and rice which went down rather well. I’ve done nothing today apart from hang about the house watching T.V.
Yesterday afternoon I booked my next CTO (leave). I’m taking the 6th to 14th October off in time with the flights by Adria Airways. The service and food were very good and I enjoyed the flight. Markus had gone into Sarajevo tonight, he wanted me to go with him but I really don’t feel like boozing and eating. I’ve got 600 DM left until pay day so I’m going to hang onto my cash this time. Oh well, only 26 more days to pay day and 33 more days to CTO. I wish that I could have seen a bit more of Brian than just one day. I felt really guilty leaving him laying asleep on the settee with Catherine when I left. I’ve just tried phoning Del but Jenny answered it, of course Del’s out at Kathleen’s so that was a waste of cash!!! I’ve also had a recount on my cash and I’ve got 700 DM left – not 600 as I previously stated. (Whoopee)!! I’d better get off now, I think that I’ll have an early night tonight and be fresh for tomorrow. See You!!
Yesterday afternoon I booked my next CTO (leave). I’m taking the 6th to 14th October off in time with the flights by Adria Airways. The service and food were very good and I enjoyed the flight. Markus had gone into Sarajevo tonight, he wanted me to go with him but I really don’t feel like boozing and eating. I’ve got 600 DM left until pay day so I’m going to hang onto my cash this time. Oh well, only 26 more days to pay day and 33 more days to CTO. I wish that I could have seen a bit more of Brian than just one day. I felt really guilty leaving him laying asleep on the settee with Catherine when I left. I’ve just tried phoning Del but Jenny answered it, of course Del’s out at Kathleen’s so that was a waste of cash!!! I’ve also had a recount on my cash and I’ve got 700 DM left – not 600 as I previously stated. (Whoopee)!! I’d better get off now, I think that I’ll have an early night tonight and be fresh for tomorrow. See You!!
MONDAY 7.9.98 6.05pm
Let’s see, since last writing have not done too much as regards to work. On Friday 8th September had the Human Rights meeting. All stations in Sarajevo Region attend, or should I say all Human Rights Officers attend. We hold the meets in restaurants and talk about various problems etc. Sometimes you get some good info. Currently I’m dealing with a case where three bodies were found in Vritci in Ilijaš, they belong to adult male + female + female child. All three were shot and then had their heads caved in with stones during the war. The adult female also had her breasts cut off according to the post mortem report. Lovely isn’t it!!! To date we still can’t get any identification on them. It would be nice to know though so that we could at least inform relatives. I’ve also got a couple of other jobs, one where a “citizen” states that he was slapped about the face by a local cop in Vogošća – it turns out that the “citizen” is also the biggest criminal in Vogošća and is currently in prison! and also the usual cattle thefts at Srednje.
On Saturday 5th September together with Baloch and Napoleon we went to the German pool party at Ilidža swimming pool. We arrived at 9.30pm and it was great. They had Sarajevo beer on draught 1 DM per glass – I together with everyone else got wasted!! We left at 2am and Napoleon drove as he hardly drinks at all!! I had a really bad head the next day!! At the party I saw Jonathan Sutch and reminded him that I want his job when he leaves in October!!! I also saw Annette Pipping Human Rights co-ordinator who wants me to take a job in her office as Chief Human Rights Investigator!! Isn’t it nice to be wanted!!!
The weather is a lot colder than before. It’s still warm enough for wearing Tee-shirts day and night but you don’t sweat like a pig now!! We have the elections coming up soon (Saturday and Sunday) and it means working a 14 hour shift. I could organise the system a lot better!!
On Thursday I intend to have a small “chilli” party and invite a few friends for a drink i.e. local cops Muhammed, Zdenko, Vehid etc plus friends. I’ll do a couple of pots of chilli and maybe a barbeque, will also lay on a few cases of beer and some scotch! Today I did a “baccy” run for Muhammed and Vehid. Vehid started it by asking for cigs – he gave me 100 DM so I got him 1000 fags, Muhammed gave me 40 DM so he got 500 cigs. I sorted the change out and forgot that Muhammed had given 40 – I thought that it was 50 so he was well pleased with that transaction!!
Also during the last week I phoned home and all is well. Del is on about a holiday in Turkey, whilst on the phone Brian was having problems re the toilet so we had to hang up. He’s a star, I wish that I could have spent longer with him when I was home. If you read this Brian – I love you – Also Catherine you’re lovely and I love you as much as Brian (big hugs and kisses xxx). Catherine, when I’m gone please look after your mum and Brian for me. I know that Jenny will always look after herself as she’s very level headed and strong, and Sarah will also get by!!
Must go now (I’m busting for the loo), See Ya!!
On Saturday 5th September together with Baloch and Napoleon we went to the German pool party at Ilidža swimming pool. We arrived at 9.30pm and it was great. They had Sarajevo beer on draught 1 DM per glass – I together with everyone else got wasted!! We left at 2am and Napoleon drove as he hardly drinks at all!! I had a really bad head the next day!! At the party I saw Jonathan Sutch and reminded him that I want his job when he leaves in October!!! I also saw Annette Pipping Human Rights co-ordinator who wants me to take a job in her office as Chief Human Rights Investigator!! Isn’t it nice to be wanted!!!
The weather is a lot colder than before. It’s still warm enough for wearing Tee-shirts day and night but you don’t sweat like a pig now!! We have the elections coming up soon (Saturday and Sunday) and it means working a 14 hour shift. I could organise the system a lot better!!
On Thursday I intend to have a small “chilli” party and invite a few friends for a drink i.e. local cops Muhammed, Zdenko, Vehid etc plus friends. I’ll do a couple of pots of chilli and maybe a barbeque, will also lay on a few cases of beer and some scotch! Today I did a “baccy” run for Muhammed and Vehid. Vehid started it by asking for cigs – he gave me 100 DM so I got him 1000 fags, Muhammed gave me 40 DM so he got 500 cigs. I sorted the change out and forgot that Muhammed had given 40 – I thought that it was 50 so he was well pleased with that transaction!!
Also during the last week I phoned home and all is well. Del is on about a holiday in Turkey, whilst on the phone Brian was having problems re the toilet so we had to hang up. He’s a star, I wish that I could have spent longer with him when I was home. If you read this Brian – I love you – Also Catherine you’re lovely and I love you as much as Brian (big hugs and kisses xxx). Catherine, when I’m gone please look after your mum and Brian for me. I know that Jenny will always look after herself as she’s very level headed and strong, and Sarah will also get by!!
Must go now (I’m busting for the loo), See Ya!!
FRIDAY 11.9.98 6.15pm
Since last writing have been kept busy. Had the Human Rights meeting on the 8th and then on the 9th I went to Central Prison in Sarajevo and saw several prisoners from Vogošća. One was in for attempted murder, he is 60 years old and when I asked him if he needed anything he asked me if I could visit his parents and get them to bring a change of underwear and shoes!! Whilst at the prison I also spent 20 minutes with a Serb called “Tepeš” (pronounced Tepesh). He’s waiting his indictment for war crimes and has been inside for 6 months now, he’s charged with Genocide. He kept saying that he wasn’t guilty and that he’d commit suicide. The interpreter told me later when he’d gone that he kept swearing at me!!! I didn’t feel very comfortable with him, he was a right nutter and appeared very excitable!!!
Last night had a “chilli” party at my house. I was on nights on 8th + 9th and when I finished on the 10th I stayed up and cooked three huge pots of the stuff!!! Markus and I got a load of booze and invited half of Sarajevo. It was a success and the chilli went down a treat. I crashed out at about 11.30pm – Midnight and woke up with a royal hangover!!
Tomorrow and Sunday are election days and we have to work 6am to 8pm!!! That should be fun I don’t think!!! I’ll be going to bed very early tonight!
Today I’ve had three incidents, the first one was three yobbos in custody at Vogošća. They were drunk at 5am this morning and decided to stop a bus and slap the driver around the head. When the local police came one of them was found with a gun!! The next was a man who came into the station stating that he was being threatened by some people. He’s Serb and takes the threats seriously! I took his details and directed him to Vogošća P.D. I also informed the Duty Officer there that I would monitor the investigation. The last one I picked up on in the Ilijaš P.D. bulletins. Last night a male had stepped on a “bouncing” mine and got killed. Unfortunately Ilijaš forgot to inform us!!!! I went to Ilijaš today to see Zdenko but he was out at the mortuary in Visoko. I did see Muhammed but he didn’t have any details.
Well I’m off to bed, I feel whacked out. See You!!
Last night had a “chilli” party at my house. I was on nights on 8th + 9th and when I finished on the 10th I stayed up and cooked three huge pots of the stuff!!! Markus and I got a load of booze and invited half of Sarajevo. It was a success and the chilli went down a treat. I crashed out at about 11.30pm – Midnight and woke up with a royal hangover!!
Tomorrow and Sunday are election days and we have to work 6am to 8pm!!! That should be fun I don’t think!!! I’ll be going to bed very early tonight!
Today I’ve had three incidents, the first one was three yobbos in custody at Vogošća. They were drunk at 5am this morning and decided to stop a bus and slap the driver around the head. When the local police came one of them was found with a gun!! The next was a man who came into the station stating that he was being threatened by some people. He’s Serb and takes the threats seriously! I took his details and directed him to Vogošća P.D. I also informed the Duty Officer there that I would monitor the investigation. The last one I picked up on in the Ilijaš P.D. bulletins. Last night a male had stepped on a “bouncing” mine and got killed. Unfortunately Ilijaš forgot to inform us!!!! I went to Ilijaš today to see Zdenko but he was out at the mortuary in Visoko. I did see Muhammed but he didn’t have any details.
Well I’m off to bed, I feel whacked out. See You!!
SUNDAY 13.9.98 6.05pm
Got through the elections with no bother. Had x5 polling stations to check.
On Saturday 12th was with Mohammed (Jordan) Fareed (Pakistan) + Mladen (interpreter). Mohammed does not speak any English so he was about as much use as a chocolate soldier!! We started at 06.00 and worked through until 8pm. After coming back to Vogošća I did the Patrol Report on the computer which said absolutely nothing!!!
Today (Sunday) we started at 06.30 and finished when the polling stations closed at 4pm. By 4.20pm I had done the Report and cleared off back home. During the day I bought some chicken and beef + vegetables so at the moment I’m cooking the chicken and veggies in curry sauce!! I fried the chicken first and then dropped it into a pot full of onions, peppers, aubergines and spuds, hope it tastes okay, it looks disgusting!! Markus is on nights so he’s in bed at present. Yesterday he cooked minced beef in sour cream with aubergine etc, it was very nice.
My official “approved” leave (CTO) is from 5.10.98 to 12.10.98 inclusive. I can have ½ days travel either side or one full day at the start or the end. When I book my flight I’ll try to get home on the 4th (Sunday) as my travel day.
Yesterday it poured down with rain for most of the day and at Hotonj polling station the local cop went inside to shelter. The Election Supervisor said that it was okay but shortly after some OSCE monitors came round and kicked him out just as I arrived so I said “fuck ‘em” and let him sit in my car for two hours until the rain stopped. That meant that none of the other four polling stations I was supposed to be looking after got seen!! That cop now thinks that I’m a “Dobro Gospodin”!!! Another cop at Blagovac admired my zippo lighter so I’ve promised him that when I next go to Rajlovac to the German PX I’d get him one! (The things I do!!).
Last night after finishing work I sat down and just watched the T.V. There was a stupid American film on and then on Serb T.V. was Only Fools and Horses with Bosnian sub-titles so I was well away! Got to bed at midnight and got up again at 5.30am today. I invited Baloch round for a drink later on but I don’t think that he’ll come because of the past couple of early morning starts! Today the weather has been a mixture of rain and sun, it’s still warm (shirtsleeve weather) but you can tell that the summers over. It should be interesting watching the Arabs and Indians trying to drive in the snow!!! Must go now and tend to my dinner.
(PS 3 WEEKS TODAY TO CTO) See Ya!!
On Saturday 12th was with Mohammed (Jordan) Fareed (Pakistan) + Mladen (interpreter). Mohammed does not speak any English so he was about as much use as a chocolate soldier!! We started at 06.00 and worked through until 8pm. After coming back to Vogošća I did the Patrol Report on the computer which said absolutely nothing!!!
Today (Sunday) we started at 06.30 and finished when the polling stations closed at 4pm. By 4.20pm I had done the Report and cleared off back home. During the day I bought some chicken and beef + vegetables so at the moment I’m cooking the chicken and veggies in curry sauce!! I fried the chicken first and then dropped it into a pot full of onions, peppers, aubergines and spuds, hope it tastes okay, it looks disgusting!! Markus is on nights so he’s in bed at present. Yesterday he cooked minced beef in sour cream with aubergine etc, it was very nice.
My official “approved” leave (CTO) is from 5.10.98 to 12.10.98 inclusive. I can have ½ days travel either side or one full day at the start or the end. When I book my flight I’ll try to get home on the 4th (Sunday) as my travel day.
Yesterday it poured down with rain for most of the day and at Hotonj polling station the local cop went inside to shelter. The Election Supervisor said that it was okay but shortly after some OSCE monitors came round and kicked him out just as I arrived so I said “fuck ‘em” and let him sit in my car for two hours until the rain stopped. That meant that none of the other four polling stations I was supposed to be looking after got seen!! That cop now thinks that I’m a “Dobro Gospodin”!!! Another cop at Blagovac admired my zippo lighter so I’ve promised him that when I next go to Rajlovac to the German PX I’d get him one! (The things I do!!).
Last night after finishing work I sat down and just watched the T.V. There was a stupid American film on and then on Serb T.V. was Only Fools and Horses with Bosnian sub-titles so I was well away! Got to bed at midnight and got up again at 5.30am today. I invited Baloch round for a drink later on but I don’t think that he’ll come because of the past couple of early morning starts! Today the weather has been a mixture of rain and sun, it’s still warm (shirtsleeve weather) but you can tell that the summers over. It should be interesting watching the Arabs and Indians trying to drive in the snow!!! Must go now and tend to my dinner.
(PS 3 WEEKS TODAY TO CTO) See Ya!!
TUESDAY 15.9.98 7pm
On Monday got up late due to “hangover” and teamed up with Stefan. Went to Ilijaš and had coffee with Zdenko in the morning. I just knocked about Vogošća station then and did a lot of reports on the computer (Lotus Notes) about various cases that are still pending. Today we had a call from Novi Grad PD stating that there was an exhumation at Reljevo. During 1992 a witness had seen bulldozers and trucks burying bodies in the area. It was expected that about 180 had been buried by the Serbs. I went at 9.30am and left at 4.30pm. The guy in the JCD found nothing but I’m assured that there is a mass grave in the area. Tomorrow is another exhumation at Nišići in the Ilijaš area so I’m off to that one as well. This time I’ll bring a flask of tea etc.
At the moment I’m sitting having a beer and pondering on the meaning of life in funky downtown Vogošća!!! The weather was warm today but it’s definitely getting a lot colder, especially in the evenings. Markus is cooking dinner today, steak and onions!!!
Must go now, I’ll have a meal and early night ready for tomorrows horrors!! The Judge in charge of the exhumations tells me that he’s got seven more scheduled for our area so I’m going to be busy for the next few weeks!!
At the moment I’m sitting having a beer and pondering on the meaning of life in funky downtown Vogošća!!! The weather was warm today but it’s definitely getting a lot colder, especially in the evenings. Markus is cooking dinner today, steak and onions!!!
Must go now, I’ll have a meal and early night ready for tomorrows horrors!! The Judge in charge of the exhumations tells me that he’s got seven more scheduled for our area so I’m going to be busy for the next few weeks!!
FRIDAY 18.9.98 8.20pm
Let’s see, haven’t done too much since I last wrote, I’ve attended another two exhumations since Tuesday, one in the forest near to Nišići near Srednje and the other at Donja Jošanica in Vogošća, both were negative!! The next ones scheduled for 9am on 22.9.98 at Semizovac. I’m getting to know the investigating Judge and Doctor now!! Last night Zdenko came round to the house with a couple of litre bottles of Slivovitz so I had a bad head this morning. I had to go to the exhumation in Vogošća then – I felt bloody awful. Seven more days to pay day and I’ve got 100 DM left so I should be okay. Also 16 more days till I go on leave (CTO) again “Hurray”. Markus goes on CTO on Monday so I’ll be on my own for a week. Mladen is going to lend me some Clint Eastwood videos so I’m going to be staying at home for a while. The weather is colder again today, I wore a jacket all day and tonight I’ve got one of the electric radiators on in the living room. I’ll have to get a move on soon re my flight tickets - I’ll be flying via Zagreb this time with Croatian Air as the flights are a little better.
There’s a murder mystery serial on the telly in English at the moment and I’m going to settle down now, drink my tea and enjoy.
There’s a murder mystery serial on the telly in English at the moment and I’m going to settle down now, drink my tea and enjoy.
SUNDAY 20.9.98 11.25am
Yesterday I worked 8am-4pm and then nights 10pm-8am so I’ve got all today off now. The night duty is sleep in and just answer the phone if anyone calls so it was all quiet. I could have sworn that I heard someone knocking on the door at about 3am but I may have been dreaming!!! The weather is cloudy, cool and drizzling. I’ve just put some wood in the “Susler” cooker for the first time since I’ve been in this house and set it alight. It’s only been on for two minutes but it’s throwing quite a bit of heat (and smoke) already!! It’s got an oven and cooker in it – quite a nifty thing.
Yesterday Mladen lent me five video films so I spent last night and today watching them. They’re mostly Clint Eastwood “Dirty Harry” movies but it beats watching the local T.V.!!! Also yesterday I went to the market and bought a kilo of mince. I was going to have minced beef and onions with mashed spuds but when I cooked it I added some local soup powder to thicken it and it came out very salty so I stuck carrots, spuds, cabbage, tinned peas, tinned mushrooms, extra onion, oxo cubes, gravy granules and hot pepper sauce and HP sauce to disguise the flavour. It still tasted bogging but it was edible!!!
Roll on Payday – I’ve just about got enough dosh to last I think!! (100 DM) We get paid on the 28th this time. It always seems that my pay day falls on the weekend (26th of the month). All the IPTF works 7 days a week except the pay office!!!! Two weeks today and with any luck I’ll be just about approaching London from Zagreb. I don’t know why but it seems such a long gap between CTO’s this time. Maybe it’s because I only saw the family for one day the last time I was home. I hope Del takes Brian to the airport to meet me this time. Workwise there’s not a lot on at the moment. Yesterday I went to Vogošća P.D. and saw one of the Crime Inspectors re a small job – he told me that he saw me on satellite T.V. during the exhumation at Donja Jošanica in Vogošća, apparently I was looking “very intent”!!! I’m a star!!
I’ve just put some more wood in the fire so that it burns a bit longer. Time now 12pm (noon), I’ll have to pack up for a bit and start doing my own washing etc. A few days ago I pressed eight shirts, a pair of work trousers, jeans and two T-shirts so I’m gradually getting on top of things. This is great, I’m sitting on the settee with my back well away from the fire but I can still feel the heat on the back of my neck!! I hope that this house stays hot in the winter!!!
Yesterday Mladen lent me five video films so I spent last night and today watching them. They’re mostly Clint Eastwood “Dirty Harry” movies but it beats watching the local T.V.!!! Also yesterday I went to the market and bought a kilo of mince. I was going to have minced beef and onions with mashed spuds but when I cooked it I added some local soup powder to thicken it and it came out very salty so I stuck carrots, spuds, cabbage, tinned peas, tinned mushrooms, extra onion, oxo cubes, gravy granules and hot pepper sauce and HP sauce to disguise the flavour. It still tasted bogging but it was edible!!!
Roll on Payday – I’ve just about got enough dosh to last I think!! (100 DM) We get paid on the 28th this time. It always seems that my pay day falls on the weekend (26th of the month). All the IPTF works 7 days a week except the pay office!!!! Two weeks today and with any luck I’ll be just about approaching London from Zagreb. I don’t know why but it seems such a long gap between CTO’s this time. Maybe it’s because I only saw the family for one day the last time I was home. I hope Del takes Brian to the airport to meet me this time. Workwise there’s not a lot on at the moment. Yesterday I went to Vogošća P.D. and saw one of the Crime Inspectors re a small job – he told me that he saw me on satellite T.V. during the exhumation at Donja Jošanica in Vogošća, apparently I was looking “very intent”!!! I’m a star!!
I’ve just put some more wood in the fire so that it burns a bit longer. Time now 12pm (noon), I’ll have to pack up for a bit and start doing my own washing etc. A few days ago I pressed eight shirts, a pair of work trousers, jeans and two T-shirts so I’m gradually getting on top of things. This is great, I’m sitting on the settee with my back well away from the fire but I can still feel the heat on the back of my neck!! I hope that this house stays hot in the winter!!!
TUESDAY 22.9.98 10.22pm
After writing last Sunday I had a “few” drinks with Markus and felt very sorry for myself on Monday morning!! I did a little bit of work that day but nothing to shout about.
Today I had an exhumation (possible mass grave) scheduled for 9am at Semizovac in a school playing field of all places!! The area was quartered and marked off and then the JCD went in digging here and there. At about 11am nothing was found and the Judge told me that a body had been found at Velešići by people cutting wood, so off we went and sure enough there was a skeleton still dressed lying there. He was identified as a person who’d gone missing with his wife from Vogošća in October 1992 after having an argument with Serb neighbours!!! We searched the bushes but couldn’t find his wife’s remains!! She’s probably laying near there. After that we went back to Semizovac (I had the body on the back of my truck in a bag!!) and when we got back we put it in the mortuary van. After a break between 12 + 1pm we went back to Semizovac and at about 3pm they started finding human bones. At 4.10pm the Judge said that there was another body in the forest at Potoci so off we went again. This one was found by local people who were suspicious about a mound of earth and had dug down a bit. When they saw the skull they called the police. This was the skeleton of an unidentifiable male, cause of death shot through the head. He was buried fully clothed laying on his left side. This time the mortuary van from Visoko came with us and the body went straight into it in a bag.
Then, back to Semizovac where at least five sets of bones had been found belonging to at least five persons. They were old and it’s thought that they were German soldiers from the 2nd World War who’d been killed by Jugoslav Partisans and buried there. I got back to IPTF Vogošća at 6.45pm and then did all the reports. I finally finished at 8.40pm. I then went to café “Alma” and bought a Ćevapčići, since then I’ve been sitting in the living room of the house trying to stay warm! It’s not all that cold but it feels really damp! There’s a crap “B” rated American film on the TV with Bosnian sub-titles so it’s better than watching nothing!!! Re the job at Semizovac there’s still half a field to dig up yet so that’s going to be fun. Tonight I tried phoning Del but she’s at college. Sarah answered the phone – hope she tells Del that I called!!
I’ll be off now and make a cuppa – See You!!
Today I had an exhumation (possible mass grave) scheduled for 9am at Semizovac in a school playing field of all places!! The area was quartered and marked off and then the JCD went in digging here and there. At about 11am nothing was found and the Judge told me that a body had been found at Velešići by people cutting wood, so off we went and sure enough there was a skeleton still dressed lying there. He was identified as a person who’d gone missing with his wife from Vogošća in October 1992 after having an argument with Serb neighbours!!! We searched the bushes but couldn’t find his wife’s remains!! She’s probably laying near there. After that we went back to Semizovac (I had the body on the back of my truck in a bag!!) and when we got back we put it in the mortuary van. After a break between 12 + 1pm we went back to Semizovac and at about 3pm they started finding human bones. At 4.10pm the Judge said that there was another body in the forest at Potoci so off we went again. This one was found by local people who were suspicious about a mound of earth and had dug down a bit. When they saw the skull they called the police. This was the skeleton of an unidentifiable male, cause of death shot through the head. He was buried fully clothed laying on his left side. This time the mortuary van from Visoko came with us and the body went straight into it in a bag.
Then, back to Semizovac where at least five sets of bones had been found belonging to at least five persons. They were old and it’s thought that they were German soldiers from the 2nd World War who’d been killed by Jugoslav Partisans and buried there. I got back to IPTF Vogošća at 6.45pm and then did all the reports. I finally finished at 8.40pm. I then went to café “Alma” and bought a Ćevapčići, since then I’ve been sitting in the living room of the house trying to stay warm! It’s not all that cold but it feels really damp! There’s a crap “B” rated American film on the TV with Bosnian sub-titles so it’s better than watching nothing!!! Re the job at Semizovac there’s still half a field to dig up yet so that’s going to be fun. Tonight I tried phoning Del but she’s at college. Sarah answered the phone – hope she tells Del that I called!!
I’ll be off now and make a cuppa – See You!!
WEDNESDAY 23.9.98 4.50pm
Walked into work at 8.30am today after doing that lot yesterday. Had a pretty clear day, for a change I had a language assistant with me (Edin) but there were hardly any jobs to do. I completed the Human Rights Weekly Report first on the computer and faxed it to Regional HQ and after that went out and had breakfast in Vogošća with Edin, ate “Burek” and had a coffee Bosnian style. Yesterday I checked my cash and found an extra 100 DM note more than I thought I had – so today I bought some chicken and LUXURY – corned beef in the supermarket in Sarajevo!! After swanning about Sarajevo Edin asked if I would get him a bottle of Jack Daniels whisky – he’s paying so we went to the German PX at Rajlovac, it had gone 3pm and was closed so we’re going back at 5pm when it opens up again.
9.20pm Took Edin to the PX at 5pm and then prepared my meal. I roasted chicken portions and then did rice. After that I fried onions, peppers and rice and stuck the boned roast chicken in it together with some Chinese Chilli sauce. Mladen was on duty so he came across and helped me eat it!! There’s a real load of Sranje (shit) on the T.V. tonight, I think that I’ll have an early night tonight (even though I did buy a case of Warsteiner Beer whilst at the German PX!!!).
In another six days I’ll have completed six months of my tour. I don’t think that I want to go back into the rat race at Central PS!! Writing of jobs I saw Ch. Supt Barry Vincent today and he was asking me if I wanted Jonathan Sutch’s job at the OSCE (the job I did earlier when he was on leave). I replied yes but it’s a waiting game now. I’ll probably know within a few days whether it’s yay or nay!! I was also offered the job as IPTF Liaison Officer to SFOR (army), I turned that one down straight away, it’s a twelve hour day and definitely a seven day week!!! I met the guy who was doing it, Mike Peckover, when I last flew back to Sarajevo and he told me all about it!!! I think in my heart of hearts I’d rather stay in Vogošća but I think that the OSCE job is interesting!!!
Weatherwise today was overcast but not too bad, I’ve just put the electric fire on downstairs as it’s getting a bit nippy now!! Time now is 9.45pm and the T.V. is still crap!! I’ll get off now, see you!!!!
9.20pm Took Edin to the PX at 5pm and then prepared my meal. I roasted chicken portions and then did rice. After that I fried onions, peppers and rice and stuck the boned roast chicken in it together with some Chinese Chilli sauce. Mladen was on duty so he came across and helped me eat it!! There’s a real load of Sranje (shit) on the T.V. tonight, I think that I’ll have an early night tonight (even though I did buy a case of Warsteiner Beer whilst at the German PX!!!).
In another six days I’ll have completed six months of my tour. I don’t think that I want to go back into the rat race at Central PS!! Writing of jobs I saw Ch. Supt Barry Vincent today and he was asking me if I wanted Jonathan Sutch’s job at the OSCE (the job I did earlier when he was on leave). I replied yes but it’s a waiting game now. I’ll probably know within a few days whether it’s yay or nay!! I was also offered the job as IPTF Liaison Officer to SFOR (army), I turned that one down straight away, it’s a twelve hour day and definitely a seven day week!!! I met the guy who was doing it, Mike Peckover, when I last flew back to Sarajevo and he told me all about it!!! I think in my heart of hearts I’d rather stay in Vogošća but I think that the OSCE job is interesting!!!
Weatherwise today was overcast but not too bad, I’ve just put the electric fire on downstairs as it’s getting a bit nippy now!! Time now is 9.45pm and the T.V. is still crap!! I’ll get off now, see you!!!!
THURSDAY 24.9.98 7.10pm
Finally went to bed at 1.45am this morning after watching a film on T.V.!! Got up at 7.45am feeling tired. Today I went to Croatian Air to book a flight and low and behold it’s full up!!! They’ve put me on the standby list but I think that I’d better shop around. Tonight I fancied a stew so I bought all the veggies and some meat from the market. The meat is absolutely disgusting, I’ve got to throw the whole lot out. Next time I’ll go into Sarajevo for it!! Again today I’ve put the wood stove on. It was a nice sunny day today but now that it’s dark it’s getting cold! I’m really cheesed off with Croatian Air – they say that it’s fully booked from Sarajevo and Zagreb to London!! Before I went to the office I tried ringing for an hour without any luck, all I got was the bloody fax machine!! I can’t fly with Slovenian Air as they only fly on Saturdays and Tuesdays so I’m a bit stuck at present!! I’ll try for Austria Air next – they’re expensive but I want to get home.
Will write later. See Ya!!
Will write later. See Ya!!
FRIDAY 25.9.98 5pm
Yesterday after writing, correction!! Yesterday Mladen brought me a few more video tapes so I watched, or tried to watch a couple. I sat down and watched “Stir Crazy” first and felt a bit cold so I put the electric fire and the wood fire on. I then started to watch Fire Fox (Clint Eastwood) and fell asleep half way through!!
Woke up at 5am feeling warm so fell asleep again until 7.45am on the settee. Then it was shave etc!! Had a job today where a drunk driver had been arrested at Ilijaš last night and he complained that Local Police had hit him on the head with a Baton!! He had no injuries so I’ll write that one off. Had coffee with Muhammed and Zdenko at Ilijaš PD and found out that the complainant is a right arsehole anyway and the police should have beaten him up!!! Later on I went to Sarajevo to Croatian Air to see if there was any possibility of a flight reservation instead of being on standby. – Anyway I got it but returning I’ve got a 7 hour wait in Zagreb for the flight to Sarajevo.
Timings:- OUT Sarajevo – Zagreb 4th Oct 07.00 – Land 08.00 Zagreb – Heathrow depart 09.40 land 11.05am.
Return Heathrow depart 19.10 Land Zagreb 22.20. THEN Zagreb – Sarajevo 05.20 Land 06.30!!!
At least I’ll get home okay but I’m sure going to be tired hanging about Zagreb airport for seven hours!!! Price is 709 DM (seven hundred and nine DM). It’s going up all the time!!! 5.40pm I’ve just cooked up some spuds and cabbage and had “bubble and squeak” from the frying pan – very nice and filled the stomach up a treat!!! I’m now on my 2nd can of beer!! and playing a Beatles CD on Zsolt’s player – he lent it to me whilst he went on CTO to Hungary!! I’m so happy that I’ve finally got my reservation for the flight to U.K. I get paid on Monday 28th so I’ll nip into Croatian Air and pay up then!
Tomorrow I should have been on the Afternoon shift (4pm–10pm) but the autopsies for all the bodies etc dug up last Tuesday are being done at Visoko at 10.30am so I’ve got to attend. (Hope that the mortuary doesn’t stink!!). Stefan (Germany) goes on CTO tomorrow. He flies at 3pm so I’ll have to try and get back to give him a lift to the airport at 2pm. Markus returns from CTO on Monday 28th at 12.30pm so I’ll pick him up as well!! What a good guy I am.
The weather was nice today, I had to wear a jacket but it was okay. Aleksandra the Language Assistant was with me all day today so I couldn’t get a word in edge ways! She’s a bit of a chatterbox but very down to earth and you can have a good laugh and joke with her!!
I’ve got exactly 105 DM left to my name and only the weekend to go to pay day – whoopee!! Also – only nine more nights (including tonight) to go and then I’ll be in England!! I’ve had a look round the PX’s for a present for Brian, Catherine, Jenny and Sarah but there’s not all that much going and as usual I’m strapped for cash. On 2nd October (Friday) Markus and I are having a party at the house, if the weathers okay I’ll do a Bar-B-Que as well, the meats cheap enough out here and a case of beer costs 19 DM (Just under £7 for 24 cans)! AND because it’s under 22% alcohol no ration card is needed!!! I’ll organise that one when Markus gets back!!! Oh well I’d better go now – another Warsteiner beer is called for!!! See Ya!!!
Woke up at 5am feeling warm so fell asleep again until 7.45am on the settee. Then it was shave etc!! Had a job today where a drunk driver had been arrested at Ilijaš last night and he complained that Local Police had hit him on the head with a Baton!! He had no injuries so I’ll write that one off. Had coffee with Muhammed and Zdenko at Ilijaš PD and found out that the complainant is a right arsehole anyway and the police should have beaten him up!!! Later on I went to Sarajevo to Croatian Air to see if there was any possibility of a flight reservation instead of being on standby. – Anyway I got it but returning I’ve got a 7 hour wait in Zagreb for the flight to Sarajevo.
Timings:- OUT Sarajevo – Zagreb 4th Oct 07.00 – Land 08.00 Zagreb – Heathrow depart 09.40 land 11.05am.
Return Heathrow depart 19.10 Land Zagreb 22.20. THEN Zagreb – Sarajevo 05.20 Land 06.30!!!
At least I’ll get home okay but I’m sure going to be tired hanging about Zagreb airport for seven hours!!! Price is 709 DM (seven hundred and nine DM). It’s going up all the time!!! 5.40pm I’ve just cooked up some spuds and cabbage and had “bubble and squeak” from the frying pan – very nice and filled the stomach up a treat!!! I’m now on my 2nd can of beer!! and playing a Beatles CD on Zsolt’s player – he lent it to me whilst he went on CTO to Hungary!! I’m so happy that I’ve finally got my reservation for the flight to U.K. I get paid on Monday 28th so I’ll nip into Croatian Air and pay up then!
Tomorrow I should have been on the Afternoon shift (4pm–10pm) but the autopsies for all the bodies etc dug up last Tuesday are being done at Visoko at 10.30am so I’ve got to attend. (Hope that the mortuary doesn’t stink!!). Stefan (Germany) goes on CTO tomorrow. He flies at 3pm so I’ll have to try and get back to give him a lift to the airport at 2pm. Markus returns from CTO on Monday 28th at 12.30pm so I’ll pick him up as well!! What a good guy I am.
The weather was nice today, I had to wear a jacket but it was okay. Aleksandra the Language Assistant was with me all day today so I couldn’t get a word in edge ways! She’s a bit of a chatterbox but very down to earth and you can have a good laugh and joke with her!!
I’ve got exactly 105 DM left to my name and only the weekend to go to pay day – whoopee!! Also – only nine more nights (including tonight) to go and then I’ll be in England!! I’ve had a look round the PX’s for a present for Brian, Catherine, Jenny and Sarah but there’s not all that much going and as usual I’m strapped for cash. On 2nd October (Friday) Markus and I are having a party at the house, if the weathers okay I’ll do a Bar-B-Que as well, the meats cheap enough out here and a case of beer costs 19 DM (Just under £7 for 24 cans)! AND because it’s under 22% alcohol no ration card is needed!!! I’ll organise that one when Markus gets back!!! Oh well I’d better go now – another Warsteiner beer is called for!!! See Ya!!!
SATURDAY 26.9.98 10.30pm
Hardly drank anything yesterday (honestly)! After the other can of beer I had a cup of tea and then watched T.V. until 1.30am.
Got up this morning at 8am (overlaid) dropped off the “advisors” at Vogošća and Ilijaš police stations and then went with Edin to the mortuary at Visoko which is about 20km from Vogošća. Met the Investigators Judge Hadić, Ibrahim and Doctor Dobruca, Ilijaš + team and started on the autopsy of the people found at Velešići and Potoci. Both had been killed by shooting in the head. One was a female 60+ years old and not identifiable, she’d been shot in the right side of the head from behind and the round had exited from her left eye socket. The other one, Alomorić Murat, had been shot from behind, the bullet had hit the right side of his head then ricocheted off. A big lump of bone from the skull had gone into his brain. The hole was...
Got up this morning at 8am (overlaid) dropped off the “advisors” at Vogošća and Ilijaš police stations and then went with Edin to the mortuary at Visoko which is about 20km from Vogošća. Met the Investigators Judge Hadić, Ibrahim and Doctor Dobruca, Ilijaš + team and started on the autopsy of the people found at Velešići and Potoci. Both had been killed by shooting in the head. One was a female 60+ years old and not identifiable, she’d been shot in the right side of the head from behind and the round had exited from her left eye socket. The other one, Alomorić Murat, had been shot from behind, the bullet had hit the right side of his head then ricocheted off. A big lump of bone from the skull had gone into his brain. The hole was...
about the same as the square drawn. They also did another one when I was there, it was an unidentifiable male who’d been found in a mine field, all that was recovered was a few bits of skull and bone and his right foot + adidas trainer!!! + bits of right elbow + ribs.
Re the bones of the suspected German soldiers at Semizovac, the Judge told me that it was confirmed and there’s probably lots more there. The German Embassy has been informed by him. It was interesting last Tuesday (22.9.98) when the German bones were dug up bits of German Army belt buckle etc was with them but as it wasn’t confirmed, the Judge requested that it be kept confidential otherwise there may be a bit of a diplomatic gaffe if the German Embassy found out!! I kept the info out of my official report but faxed full details requesting that the info remain confidential until confirmed. Within one hour a German at UN Regional HQ Markus Preuss was doing reports to the German Embassy + SFOR – big mouthed sod!!! Now that it’s official it’s up to the German Embassy to decide what to do. It’s believed that there are lots of bodies under that bit of earth!!
Tonight I phoned Del up and gave her my flight times. I also said hello to Brian who asked me if I was coming home, when I said in less than two weeks he lost interest!!! After finishing work at 4pm I did a load of washing (in the machine) and also made a “vegetable” stew, it wasn’t too bad!!!
I think that I’ll have an early night tonight, I’ve been going to bed late for the past couple of nights after watching the old goggle box. See Ya!!
Re the bones of the suspected German soldiers at Semizovac, the Judge told me that it was confirmed and there’s probably lots more there. The German Embassy has been informed by him. It was interesting last Tuesday (22.9.98) when the German bones were dug up bits of German Army belt buckle etc was with them but as it wasn’t confirmed, the Judge requested that it be kept confidential otherwise there may be a bit of a diplomatic gaffe if the German Embassy found out!! I kept the info out of my official report but faxed full details requesting that the info remain confidential until confirmed. Within one hour a German at UN Regional HQ Markus Preuss was doing reports to the German Embassy + SFOR – big mouthed sod!!! Now that it’s official it’s up to the German Embassy to decide what to do. It’s believed that there are lots of bodies under that bit of earth!!
Tonight I phoned Del up and gave her my flight times. I also said hello to Brian who asked me if I was coming home, when I said in less than two weeks he lost interest!!! After finishing work at 4pm I did a load of washing (in the machine) and also made a “vegetable” stew, it wasn’t too bad!!!
I think that I’ll have an early night tonight, I’ve been going to bed late for the past couple of nights after watching the old goggle box. See Ya!!
SUNDAY 27.9.98 6.45pm
Started off the day at 8.10am by coming into work!! There wasn’t anything to do today so I dossed about the station and then went to the Norwegian PX and bought 200 Dunhill Menthol for Del (18 ½ DM) a stainless steel thermal tankard for Brian (the same Daddy has in Bosnia) and for me some Philadelphia spread and Bacon spread, yum yum!! There was no-one else on 8-4 so I picked up Olivera from IPTF Kula at 3.20pm. It was pouring with rain and as usual very hazardous driving. After dropping off Olivera at Vogošća I picked up Napoleon + Fareed who both live in Vogošća (separate addresses).
Finished work at 4.20pm and then had a bite to eat (Philadelphia + bread!!!). After that did a load more washing and a great load of ironing, uniform and civilian clothing. At last it’s all finished now and I could go for about two weeks without another uniform wash!!! I’m now having a beer and a fag in reward!!
Tomorrow is pay day so I’m going to have to queue for at least two hours to get my cash. I’ve also got authorisation from Markus and Stefan to get theirs as well so I’m going to be walking about Sarajevo loaded tomorrow!! After I get the dosh I’ll pay for my airline ticket (Yah hoo). I’ve still got 50 DM left (correction) 60 DM that’s x3 cases of beer and 3 DM change!!! When I was in Ilijaš Local Police Station last Friday I saw Zdenko, he’s on leave now for a week, but I think that he’s coming to the “party” on Friday 2nd that we’re planning! He brought me some Slivovitz that I’ll have to take home!!
Nearly six months done in B:H now, it doesn’t seem like it at all and coming up is my fifth time home. I’ve only got another four CTO’s after that and it’s job done!!! The British contingent meeting is to be held on 7th October but sod it I’ll be at home. Similarly the Brits who are leaving are organising a party at Gitro’s Disco in Kula on 4th October, but again I’ll be on leave!! I’ve still not heard anything re the EASC job so I’m assuming that someone else has got it. That’s okay with me, I don’t think that I want to be driving about the country in winter. Also, I’ve got some good friends, especially at Ilijaš PD. This time next week I’ll be in Nottingham. I don’t know why but it seems a long time to this CTO. Oh well I’d better get off now. See Ya!!
Finished work at 4.20pm and then had a bite to eat (Philadelphia + bread!!!). After that did a load more washing and a great load of ironing, uniform and civilian clothing. At last it’s all finished now and I could go for about two weeks without another uniform wash!!! I’m now having a beer and a fag in reward!!
Tomorrow is pay day so I’m going to have to queue for at least two hours to get my cash. I’ve also got authorisation from Markus and Stefan to get theirs as well so I’m going to be walking about Sarajevo loaded tomorrow!! After I get the dosh I’ll pay for my airline ticket (Yah hoo). I’ve still got 50 DM left (correction) 60 DM that’s x3 cases of beer and 3 DM change!!! When I was in Ilijaš Local Police Station last Friday I saw Zdenko, he’s on leave now for a week, but I think that he’s coming to the “party” on Friday 2nd that we’re planning! He brought me some Slivovitz that I’ll have to take home!!
Nearly six months done in B:H now, it doesn’t seem like it at all and coming up is my fifth time home. I’ve only got another four CTO’s after that and it’s job done!!! The British contingent meeting is to be held on 7th October but sod it I’ll be at home. Similarly the Brits who are leaving are organising a party at Gitro’s Disco in Kula on 4th October, but again I’ll be on leave!! I’ve still not heard anything re the EASC job so I’m assuming that someone else has got it. That’s okay with me, I don’t think that I want to be driving about the country in winter. Also, I’ve got some good friends, especially at Ilijaš PD. This time next week I’ll be in Nottingham. I don’t know why but it seems a long time to this CTO. Oh well I’d better get off now. See Ya!!
MONDAY 28.9.98 5.43pm
Drank quite a few beers last night and overslept this morning. Went to UN Main HQ for my pay, got there at 9.15am and was at the back of a great big queue. Pay office opens at 9.30am, there are two windows, one for cash and the other for cheques. You have to get one and then the other. I finally got out at 12.20pm!!! After that I drove to Croatia Airlines in downtown Sarajevo and paid for my ticket home, it cost 708 DM. By the time I got back to the station it was 1.45pm so I just dossed about after that. Markus came off CTO so we’re having Bratwurst tonight (eating like kings)!!
6.45pm had the Bratwurst and am now drinking a beer and working out my finances. I can take 800 DM home, rent 450 DM, to live after CTO 300 DM that leaves me 260 DM to play with out of that I’ll get 1000 cigs from the PX cost 70 DM x2 bottles spirit cost approx. 40 DM and food for the party cost approx. 30 DM + x3 cases of beer = 57 DM. I’ll still have left 60 DM for food until I go on CTO. That’s plenty.
I forgot – I’ll still owe Markus for the telephone bill + we’ll have to order some wood. Maybe I can live on 200 DM until next pay day!!! It will only be 13 days until I get paid again. Yeah I should be okay!! Tomorrow I’ll go shopping for cigs and beer with Markus and get that out of the way. For the party on Friday 2nd I’ll just do a pot load of chilli + rice with bread. I did a load the last time and it all disappeared!!! This time I’ll have to beg borrow or steal bigger pots!! It’s like being a bloody house wife isn’t it!!
Last night whilst drunk I phoned Ernie Brady, he’s got a helmet + badge for me and he’s arranged another one so I’ll have to bring back a Bosnian helmet + the Spanish one that I’ve got for “swaps”. So I’ve got my pay, my air tickets and five more working days to go!! Yah hoo. See Ya!!!!
6.45pm had the Bratwurst and am now drinking a beer and working out my finances. I can take 800 DM home, rent 450 DM, to live after CTO 300 DM that leaves me 260 DM to play with out of that I’ll get 1000 cigs from the PX cost 70 DM x2 bottles spirit cost approx. 40 DM and food for the party cost approx. 30 DM + x3 cases of beer = 57 DM. I’ll still have left 60 DM for food until I go on CTO. That’s plenty.
I forgot – I’ll still owe Markus for the telephone bill + we’ll have to order some wood. Maybe I can live on 200 DM until next pay day!!! It will only be 13 days until I get paid again. Yeah I should be okay!! Tomorrow I’ll go shopping for cigs and beer with Markus and get that out of the way. For the party on Friday 2nd I’ll just do a pot load of chilli + rice with bread. I did a load the last time and it all disappeared!!! This time I’ll have to beg borrow or steal bigger pots!! It’s like being a bloody house wife isn’t it!!
Last night whilst drunk I phoned Ernie Brady, he’s got a helmet + badge for me and he’s arranged another one so I’ll have to bring back a Bosnian helmet + the Spanish one that I’ve got for “swaps”. So I’ve got my pay, my air tickets and five more working days to go!! Yah hoo. See Ya!!!!
TUESDAY 29.9.98 6.03pm
After writing yesterday had a few beers, the Bacardi then gin and felt a little hung over this morning. The cleaning lady came round at 7.30am so I had to get up early!! Went shopping with Markus today at the French and then German PX’s. At the French PX I bought two 500 packs of Marlborough Lights and at the German PX we got 3 x1 litre bottles of Bacardi 2 x1 litre bottles of Gordon’s Gin, 1 litre bottle red wine, and 1 litre of Canadian club whisky, 5 cases of Warsteiner beer, two cases of coke, a case of bitter lemon and a case of ginger beer!!
The only problem is we’ve got no bloody food in the house. At present I’m sitting watching Sunset Beach (USA) on the TV and drinking lemon tea. I’ve just put the wood fire on so it stinks a bit of smoke in the house. The weather has been reasonable today but it started pouring down with rain round about 3pm, we also had a few claps of thunder to liven the day up.
Workwise I went to Vogošća local police station for half an hour then came back and cleared up three incident reports on the computer. I’m pretty much clear now, I think that there’s only one job left outstanding. I’ve just had a count and I’ve got 200 Dunhill Menthol (for Del) 1000 Marlborough, 400 Gauloises cigs and three or four packets of West ciggies!! I’ve done all my ironing so there’s nothing left to do for today. I don’t think that I’ll be boozing tonight as I feel tired and to be honest I just don’t feel like a pint! Del would be proud of me!!!
At 6.45pm tomorrow I will have been exactly six months in Bosnia, times really flying by!!! See Ya!!!
The only problem is we’ve got no bloody food in the house. At present I’m sitting watching Sunset Beach (USA) on the TV and drinking lemon tea. I’ve just put the wood fire on so it stinks a bit of smoke in the house. The weather has been reasonable today but it started pouring down with rain round about 3pm, we also had a few claps of thunder to liven the day up.
Workwise I went to Vogošća local police station for half an hour then came back and cleared up three incident reports on the computer. I’m pretty much clear now, I think that there’s only one job left outstanding. I’ve just had a count and I’ve got 200 Dunhill Menthol (for Del) 1000 Marlborough, 400 Gauloises cigs and three or four packets of West ciggies!! I’ve done all my ironing so there’s nothing left to do for today. I don’t think that I’ll be boozing tonight as I feel tired and to be honest I just don’t feel like a pint! Del would be proud of me!!!
At 6.45pm tomorrow I will have been exactly six months in Bosnia, times really flying by!!! See Ya!!!