Topic: Zagreb Diary 
** Written  5:09 AM  Aug  2, 1992 by wam@zamir-zg.comlink.apc.org in gn:yugo.antiwar **

Zagreb Diary
01-08-1992

Dobar Dan,

Changing the guards may be an attraction in London, Zagreb has since two weeks a new attraction which calls changing the volunteer. Not only on Tkalticeva but also in the sporthal were the volunteers sleep it always in the weekend a little bit of chaos and improvisation. In the sporthal the police check by on their night rounds to see if their still are "volunteri" and than thank, sleep well and off they go the night. They are still there and they seems to have changing of the troops again.

Yes, you can plan it perfectly of course, asking them to come all on Sunday after the group before left, but the half comes hitch hiking, the other half by aeroplanes, busses or trains which are obvious not following our schedule. The newest method was what Arnout (from which you probably will here more, since he wants to stay for at least 6 months and is likely to put it mildly, by after 48 hours without sleep I also can been rather loudly, especially after having standing for a close door last night, he should come today he said) but he came by truck, long distance trucks are still rolling for trade with Croatia and Slovenia and hopping on is not that hard it seems, you only loose some hours of sleep and your nerves for a while, but that is fixed fast enough. It is a little unreliable since he suddenly had to be one day earlier since the other truck was already occupied.

Yes it is a strange bunch of guest which is passing by, politicians, scientists, friends on their way to Ecotopia (Andre from Denmark who I hadn't see for a year stays for a few days here, before he continues to Bulgaria, to Ecotopia (what started today), we have been laughing about the tricks I did with Red and Hungarian Army, when we had Ecotopia in Hungary, great to see them (Anyway the peace and environmental from Europe is a big family we all know each other or at least know people who know together (I often feel sorry for Joel, for which this part of Europe, the movements is often a blanco page, he has to see his friends over the nets and that is not easy I suppose))). People from official relief operations like UNHCR or Swiss Aid on holiday, but here !

Today the bus broke down which would bring the volunteers to Savudrija, of course to short day to catch another one, no problem, nema problema, the half offered to go hitch hiking to Savudrija, saves us money and they have a small adventure. Such things only happen in the first weekend of camps, when the atmosphere of togetherness is the highest. The are full of spirit and motivated, so like in Pula it will be a flashing start in Savudrija. Branka and Ivana are dead tired, but they already talk about the next one.

It is also fantastic that Joel is around when most of this wild bunch arrives, young dogs, eager to help, where are the children, when can I start, how was the bombing. Quiet relax, this is Croatia and it is hot. And I ran off to get the last things fixed with Nina and the co-leaders, are always proud that I can keep my financial promises and leave Joel alone to hold the fortress (since the others are probably busy with something else what is going on, or will get of soon).. He is there and you should read his stories in gen.qaukers on APC. He takes them out for a drink and a talk and cools them down. That is when they are not too extreme, like Arnout today, this world really didn't mixed. 

But what the hack there is a place for every body who likes to help and as long they are doing that it is no problem, mark my words, as long as they help, not when they start to hang around and live on the nothing we have, that is less. 

When somebody complained today that nobody keeps appointment I said that I was happy if they show up at all, a long night talk with somebody just back from the front, or somebody who has family in Banja Luka or what ever, brothers or family killed of somebody it all happens. Or just that somebody was laying awake all night thinking about all the big and small problems which daily cross your mind.

Or as Andre said "There is always a reason, if it is important they will tell you, otherwise  don't asked (they are probably already ashamed themselves). I am glad I know the wild bunch of Europe, I can imagine what can happen and a little prepare myself (but the average ages of this camp is higher then the normal SCI camp anyway, at least between 26 and 27, mainly because of some really "older" (which start about 5 years above me (since I consider myself as being young)  so 42 and higher). On the one hand that is good, since we need experienced people, on the other hand it worries me that it can cause some generation problems in the groups, but nor so far, at least not real serious.

It is nice to see how much people start to understand and which people understand what, we knew it was bad, but that you were working with the back against the wall trying to do at least some relief work, they couldn't understand. They see it know, it is that bad and maybe worst, since we can't look under the skins yet. We known this children are hurt badly, damaged probably for the rest of their lives, but they are kids you know, we can play with them. And they love their uncles and aunties. Only for them we have to continue, this kids need attention. Fresh blood, new energy, new faces who are not aggressive.

Now in the second week the mothers came along and some talk with our volunteers, we are gaining their trust and that wonders me, I wouldn't have hope for the world that it would go that fast. Also for them we have to come back, this women of Vukovar (whose man names are on no lists or who stand trial in Beograd), this women from BiH, which nearly yet know what has happened with them.

Rather then transporting them out, there is any way no place enough outside, 1200 for Netherlands, 60.0000 in total for Germany, 60.000 in Slovenia and Hungary, probably also in Austria, it are drops on a hot stone. And it creates new dreams new hopes which are not true, in the Netherlands e.g. the created a new title "something like temporary homeless", so they can be send back when the war is over. Such things are totally against the Geneva convention for refugees, even when you say that this war is an extreme situation, for what is that document written for peace times or extreme situations like war (and then find me any not extreme war).

With a little help from some friends, in all the peace, environmental and what other networks and organisations we have in the world and especially in Europe, we can do it. Really believe me we CAN do it. Phillipe from SCI France and I talked today about the history of SCI, how it started in Verdun, he told me that the peace group in Verdun already called them to ask if they could do something for helping in this war. We will try now to get them that far that they promote that Verdun (and their alliance from 6 other destroyed cities of war) adopts some towns to get rebuild.

The changing of the volunteers, beside the army, relief organisations and UNPROFOR, the peace groups bring in a lot of tourists to Zagreb. But when you like to come forget, somethings maybe fake, but the war is real. 

With Love from ZA-mir-GREB,

Wam:-)



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