When we return from a long mission peacekeeping in a conflict area, the re-adaptation to the family environment and to a peaceful civilian atmosphere is not always easy to handle. Little things – such as the proper/civilized way to address other people – have got to be readjusted. The tone in which we talk, theContinuar lendo “Returning Home, still breading “War smokes””
Arquivos mensais:abril 2020
A passarada violou a Zona de Exclusão Aérea – Bósnia 1995.
Na noite de 24 para 25 de Fevereiro 1995, eu estava de turno à posição radar cedida à ONU no Centro de Controlo Aéreo de Área (ACC) de Belgrado, para a vigilância da Zona de Exclusão Aérea (No Fly Zone) sobre a Bósnia. A uns meros 100 quilómetros da minha posição, decorria o mais sangrentoContinuar lendo “A passarada violou a Zona de Exclusão Aérea – Bósnia 1995.”
Guerra aérea em Angola (anos 70 e 80)
Em 1992, numa das primeiras missões de Apoio à Paz que as Forças Armadas Portuguesas efectuaram, um grupo de 10 oficiais da Força Aérea Portuguesa partiu em missão da ONU para Angola, a fim de gerir os 54 helicópteros e 12 aviões que as Nações Unidas haviam contratado para o apoio às primeiras eleições livresContinuar lendo “Guerra aérea em Angola (anos 70 e 80)”
Afghan superstitions … or maybe not!
A certain day in 2014, while I was serving the United Nations’ mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA), I had to fly from Kabul to Dubai with an Afghan Airliner. After an enormity of problem solving concerning the scheduling and purchasing of the ticket, the machine finally printed the ticket; I got a window seat, number 39A.Continuar lendo “Afghan superstitions … or maybe not!”
The way I saw the events in Srebrenica 1995
In July 1995, the most discussed issue in UNPROFOR’s corridors was Srebrenica. After the fall of Krajina’s Sector West, in May 1995, the entire situation in Bosnia reached a tipping pint; for the worst! The Serbian residents of the other sectors of the Krajina started to abandon their lands, fearing the same destiny as SectorContinuar lendo “The way I saw the events in Srebrenica 1995”
O massacre de Srebrenica
Em julho de 1995 o assunto mais sério que se debatia na UNPROFOR eram os acontecimentos de Sebrenica. No início da guerra na Bósnia, em 1992, a pequena Cidade de Sebrenica estava dentro dos domínios da República Sérvia da Bósnia, e sob controlo das forças do Exército Sérvio (VRS). Posteriormente foi tomada pelo Exército (muçulmano)Continuar lendo “O massacre de Srebrenica”
Have a blessed Easter – Tenha uma Páscoa abençoda
Regardless if you are a religious person or not; regardless the faith you profess; Easter is all about HOPE, FAITH; two fillings of the upmost importance in the times we’re all living with COVID-19. We will win this war … I wish you to have a blessed Easter. Paulo Independentemente se fores religioso/a ou não;Continuar lendo “Have a blessed Easter – Tenha uma Páscoa abençoda”
Bosnian war economy – speculation of essential products
UNPROFOR Military Observers’ teams (like in most other UN missions) had to live among the population (mandatory). We could support our teams at the UNPROFOR military contingents, but we could not live inside those compounds. We were supposed to rent a team house and buy/prepare our own food. That particularity was due to the factContinuar lendo “Bosnian war economy – speculation of essential products”
Some lessons, you have to learn the hard way (Bosnia)
In my first land trip to Sarajevo (early August 1995), I was travelling in a UN vehicle with a Brazilian UNMO comrade. We’d been driving during the night, which was not advisable to do during the Bosnian War; hence we decided to stop and spend the night at the UNPROFOR Malayan Battalion (MALBAT) in Konjic.Continuar lendo “Some lessons, you have to learn the hard way (Bosnia)”
“Behind enemy lines” – the true story (how it happened)
The hot month of June 1995 arrived to the Balkans on a Thursday, while I was on night shift at Belgrade radar site, surveying the Bosnia No Fly Zone. Just when I was leaving the radar room, on the next morning, I noticed something strange was happening. All the Serbian controllers were very excited, butContinuar lendo ““Behind enemy lines” – the true story (how it happened)”
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