RUSBAT 2 [Main Title]

United Nations television programme shot in Grbavica. RUSBAT 2 has come under some criticism for its close relationship with the Serbs in Sarajevo. Does this help or hinder their work as peace keepers?

RUSBAT 2 form up. Their job is to monitor one of the most dangerous parts of Sarajevo. They have set up camp in Serb-held Grbavica. Panning shot of Sarajevo. RUSBAT convoy leaves the RUSBAT compound. Interview with Colonel Viktor Vorobyev, RUSBAT 2 Commander, who describes the daily task of preparing a report on the occasions when each side have broken the ceasefire. They also meet with both sides to discuss ways to enforce the truce more strictly and find areas of compromise between them. Shot of a RUSBAT 2 Observation Point at a window of a building. Interview with Warrant Officer Bulkanov, who mans the Observation Point 1. He says that during heavy fighting they might be given instructions to take up more defensive positions. Not all soldiers are so lucky. A wounded soldier comes into a room, leaning heavily on crutches. He is one of the four RUSBAT soldiers injured since their tour began. The injured soldier, Sergeant Anatoly Teikov, says that in some places there are just ten to twenty metres separating the sides and the area between them holds no defensive positions for UNPROFOR troops. RUSBAT 2's most important task is to monitor heavy weapons collection points. Shots of soldiers placing a cover on a heavy weapon. Interview with Igor Wagner who explains that this site contains Serb heavy weaponry including two multiple barrel rocket launching systems, three D30 howitzers and mortars. The job of RUSBAT is to ensure that these weapons are not used while the cease fire is still in force. RUSBAT visit a Serb (?) position that overlooks Sarajevo. Part of their job is to keep lines of communications between both sides open. UNPROFOR Commander, General De LaPresle visits RUSBAT and inspects their base. He says that the mission here is in good hands. It is very helpful to have soldiers deployed here who understand the language and UNPROFOR is very grateful to RUSBAT because it makes UN work easier. Colonel Viktor Vorobyev addresses the men. He informs then that a French soldier was wounded by a sniper at a position where RUSBAT has an armoured personnel carrier. Shots of this anti-sniping unit on a central street in Sarajevo. UNTV talks to children who describe the danger of sniping they face on their daily route to school. They say that the presence of UNPROFOR soldiers deters the snipers. 1st Lieutenant Oleg Pavlinich explains how they respond to sniper fire to protect civilians in Sarajevo.

Beta-SP