10 - Sunday, May 9, 1993 - North Shore News NV reservists return duty in Croatian war zone Six Field Squadron members part of UN forces TWO NORTH Vancouver reservists recently returned from Croatia following a six-month stint with UN forces in the former Yugoslavia. By Michael Becker News Reporier “The whole area is so messed up it’s just beyond words, You've got people who have lived next door to cach other for years and naw they've got this wonderful excuse, ‘You're a Croatian and I'm a Serb so I'm going to go across and shoot you’ or vice ver- si,’’ said Grant fraser, a 24- year-old reservist with the North Vancouver-based Six Field Squadron. Fraser and) Master-Cpl, Bryan Couch, 29, joined 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER), as part of Operation Harmony, the UN protection force active in Croatia. Fraser was based at 1 CER reg- imental headquarters in the town of Daruvar, For the first three months of his tour of duty he worked with the security section, guarding the base. During the rest of his time overseas he worked as a steward. “Wve been in the reserves for cight years, and I've been trying to get in on a UN tour for all of those eight years, and now because of the political situation there is a fot more need for reserves. “Hopefully next year I'll get to go On another one,”’ he added. Fraser said the main role of the UN in former Yugoslavia is to keep the warring factions apart. “But every Tom, Dick and Harry has a gun over there and usually they’re assault rifles,” Fraser said. AN AIDS hospital in Daruvar was destroyed in the ongoing civil war. MASTER: CPL. Bryan Couch halped to build a Bailey bridge in Croatia. Couch sald it is the first such bridge built by Canadians in a war zone since the Korean War. While one U.S. tilitary pundit has said that one U.S armored division and one mechanized in- fantry division backed by air power could “clean up’’ Bosnia in 30 days, Fraser disagrees. . “That is impossible, untess they're willing to go over the line of conventional (warfare) and into other realms of military assault. The entire area is, so perfect for guerrilla warfare. “To hide is just so easy, The American concept of assault is basically just to sweep through, and they can't do that in this case. The Americans can't do it themselves,'’ said Fraser. Fraser believes the UN presence in the area is doing some good, but he said, ‘Unfortunately under the UN mandate that we have, our hands are really tied in a lot of situations. “We see things and can say ‘that’s bogus — like the guy who takes off his uniform and goes and sits in a corner until the UN leaves the area. “it’s all or nothing. Let us do what we’re trained to do or at the other end of the spectrum, let us get out and fet them fight it out and sooner or later they are going to get lired of fighting,’’ he said, Meanwhile, Bryan Couch work- ed with a troop deployed in the North Sector. , “Our job there for about two months was to support the Nigerians, and what we did there was build shelters and bunkers for the Nigerian UN checkpoints. It was really good work,’' he said. Couch also worked to remove mines and clear roads. GRANT FRASER, a reservist with the North Vancouver-based Six Field Squadron ‘practises arming and disarming a Vugoeiavian TMA-5 anti-tank mine. a tad Wl Vo? aa @ PNE JOB BAIR '93 The PNE, in conjunction with Employment & immigration Canada, is holding a two-day Job Fair for those interested in working atthe Fair between Saturday, August 21st and Monday, September 6th. Our opportunities call for individuals who like dealing with pecple and putting their skills to the test in an environment where working hard and having fun go hand in hand. Positions are available in: «Pet & Pouliry Care ® Parking Attendants «Cashiers e Bartenders * Barn Sweepers ¢ Drivers « Clerical ¢ Tour Train Conductors «Washroom Attendants Over 7500 Jobs Availabie i By working the 47-day Fair, you can earn from $7: 52 to $10.56/hour. Each day during the PNE, a FAIRTIVE employee will be chosen “Host of the Day". Winners receive a letter of commendation, plus a wide variety of - prizes. Last year's two “SUPERHOSTS of the Fair’ each won alrip for two courtesy of Air B. Cc, plus twonights accommodation. So join us at the ... *tiosts/Hostesses ¢Chefs/Cooks © Ticket Sellers ° Night Cleanup (Graveyard Shift) * Trades eWaiters/Waitresses *Security/Patrol . ‘(Graveyard Shift Avaitabie) PNE JOB FAIR Friday, May 14,.10:00 am to 7:00 pm Saturday, May 15, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Your employee record will be kept lor future employer job reterral evaluation and yourlals also be given pricily for year-round part-time PNE job opportunities as they become available. The PNE is an equal epportunily employer ,