Bosnia soldiers' wives briefed on mission

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 541, 21 June 1994, Page 5

Bosnia soldiers' wives briefed on mission

By

Michele

Monaghan

Wives and partners of Waiouru soldiers going to Bosnia had some of their fears allayed at a presentation held on Friday. British Army Major Hugh Toler of the Coldstream Guards in Germany took the women through a comprehensive, informative briefing that included slides, photographs and topographical layouts of the area of operations. "It doesn't sound anywhere near as bad as we'd been led to believe," said one wife. Other partners said they felt a lot better now that they knew more facts. Major Toler, who has himself recently returned from Bosnia, said the area around Vitez is a lot like the Waiouru training area apart from the trees. Some of the slides and photos could have been taken around W aiouru , the terrain is so Similar. Winter weather shouldn't be a problem for most soldiers either. Major Toler said the coldest winter night they had during his tour was -13°C. Any soldier who has spent time in the back blocks of the training area would tell you it gets that cold out there. The cold weather equipment purchased by the New Zealand government gained

high praise from Major Toler. "I think they '11 suffer from heat exhaustion more than anything," he quipped. The town of Vitez has a population of around 25,000 people with a further 25,000 living in outlying areas. There is no electricity and civilians have to draw their water from the river. The British compound in Vitez is fully powered by seven generators. Engineers have drilled two wells within the compound for water requirements. Major Toler assured the women that the accommodation was quite comfortable. Homesick He said one of the hardest things for the husbands to deal with would be homesickness and showed a slide of three children who looked just like three Kiwi kids. "Just like us ... the children and the old people are the one's that suffer". Major Toler spoke confidently about peace in the former Yugoslavia and around Vitez. "There' s been a ceasefire in effect since March and it seems to be holding. The people genuinely want peace." He said that from experience any shopting was probably caused by soldiers being drunk or an-

gry and was never directed at the UN. In the event of an accident the compound has full medical and dental facilities consisting of nursing . sisters, operating theatre, a surgeon, anaesthetist, dentist, psychiatrist, pathology laboratory and X-ray facilities. Ammunition factory Major Toler said the media had picked up on the fact that an ammunition factory was in the area which the Croats have threatened to blow up if it is given to the Serbs. "We' ve been in there and had a look. It would be im-

possible to carry out what they say they would." Major Toler said that the Croats had promised prior warning of their intentions and said that every time they've promised to provide warning they have. British UN officials in Vitez maintain close contact with local civic and political leaders. "Generally if something is going on, we know about it." About 60 soldiers from Waiouru will deploy to Bosnia in August. At the moment they are training at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North. Tomorrow selected personnel fly

to the United Kingdom for further training and will retum to New Zealand around 15 July. The troops are expecting one week's leave before their deployment to Bosnia.