Troopers return from Bosnia with relief

ZAGREB (JP): Twenty-four members from the Garuda XIV military contingent returned home this week after spending over a year in war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina. They returned with stories of narrow escapes, kidnappings, shootings and bombings.

"The greatest relief is to come out safe and sound after the uncertain political climate which lingered during our period of duty there," Lt. Col. Eddi Budianto said shortly before flying home.

Lt. Col. Eddi led the first Indonesian UN peacekeeping mission in the former Yugoslavia republic under the Garuda XIV banner. "We successfully completed the job", Eddi assured.

The first delegation, consisting of officers who worked as United Nations Military Observers, were deployed at the beginning of the northern winter last year.

Eddi said his only casualty was an officer who died while on leave in Jakarta.

Six Indonesian observers, along with 47 military observers from other countries, were kidnapped by the Bosnian Serb forces in April. They were released after a week.

Shortly before leaving Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, the group met with the incoming Garuda contingent.

"It was an emotional encounter because we knew that they would continue what we had started," Eddi stressed.

Consolidation of information, experience, plans and problems were quickly exchanged.

The Indonesian Armed Forces has sent more troops in recent months to comply with UN requests.

A second group of six soldiers was led over in June by Lt. Col. Tarsis Kodrat. Another 219 personnel from the Health Battalion followed in September and was commanded by Lt. Col. Heridadi.

Earlier this month, the fourth group of 20 national policemen, supervised by Lt. Col. Soehartono, arrived in Bosnia- Herzegovina to replace Eddi's team.

Soehartono said his contingent had to immediately take English and driving tests when they arrived at their hotel in Zagreb.

"We arrived in the middle of the night and were immediately administered the tests. Only six policemen passed the driving test because traffic signs are so different," he revealed. (Rini PWI/pwn)