- the UNDOF Journal 1 Dear Reader! and UNTSO. It has been an Stefan May, former UNDOF honor and a pleasure to work MPIO. Since he has not yet with all of you. I sincerely been offi cially replaced, Maj Spring has arrived once appreciate your friendship, Siegfried, the UNDOF FWO, again to the Golan Heights. cooperation and assistance. has kindly stepped up to the Such beautiful scenery sur- task and his assistance has rounds us; colorful, wild fl ow- been of great importance. ers, valleys and mountains I would like to thank him, Editorial covered with green. he is indeed a most reliable I am lucky enough to be and dependable friend and welcoming spring for the sec- offi cer. ond time since my mission On behalf of the UNDOF has been a year long. Unfor- MPIO offi ce, I would like to tunately, the time has come l-r: Maj Perr, Capt Horiguchi, Capt say thank you and goodbye. to leave this beautiful and I am sure that the new MPIO exciting area. In the middle of I would like to take this offi ce staff will continue to March I will return to Japan opportunity to introduce my serve UNDOF and provide the and to my work at the Ground successor: The new Deputy best of public affairs service. Staff Offi ce of the Japanese Military Public Information Ground Self Defense Force. Offi cer (or D/MPIO) is Capt Health and success to all. Throughout this past year, Takashi Kobayashi. I am sure he will enjoy the same hospi- I truly enjoyed my working Sincerely, Capt Daisuke Horiguchi, tality and patronage as I have environment, mostly because D/MPIO UNDOF of the many good and profes- received from you. Recently sional people within UNDOF we also bid farewell to Maj

Editorial Staff: Unit Press Offi cers: D/MPIO Editorial ...... 2 Editor: FC UNDOF Force Commander’s Message ...... 3 AUSBATT - Maj H. Hutter Maj Siegfried Peer COS UNDOF COS Words ...... 4 CANCON - Capt S. H. Usborne Managing Editor, New People New People in UNDOF / Donation...... 5 J-CON - Lt I Y. Hiramitsu Layout Designer and Visits Visits to UNDOF ...... 6 Force Photographer: POLBATT - Capt J. Barczewski Sport International Sports Day ...... 7 WO II Gernot Payer SLOVCON - Lt I T. Hunal AUSBATT Same, same but different ...... 8 Co-Editor: OGG - Maj K. Bring SLOVCON Why we have to train ...... 9 Capt D. Horiguchi MP - Capt E. Walla POLBATT New Quality / Original Story ...... 10 Proofreader: POLBATT STS COOPERATION ...... 11 E. Lynn Elvaiah Miscellaneous The Apple Story ...... 12

Miscellaneous The Apple Story ...... 13 Editorial Offi ce: CANCON Visit of General R.R. Henault ...... 14 UNDOF HQ CANCON Dead Sea Half-Marathon and 10 km run ...... 15 Camp FAOUAR J-CON COC / New Year Celebration ...... 16 Tel: 6130214-5203 MP Force Protection - VBIED ...... 17 E-Mail: [email protected] OGG OGG HQ / New COGG-T ...... 18

Civilian Staff UNDOF - Finance Section ...... 19 The Golan Journal is the magazine of the United Na tions Dis en -

Memorial In Memory ...... 20 gage ment Ob serv er Force and it is in tend ed to pro vide in for ma tion about the Force and events with in it which are of interest to its Miscellaneous Int. Womans Day / Taxi Story ...... 21 mem bers. The UNDOF Mil i tary Pub lic Affairs Of fi ce publishes History The Hidden Monastary ...... 22 the Golan Jour nal eve ry third month. While articles and pho to - Recreation Skiing in Lebanon ...... 23 graphs are wel comed from all mem bers of the Force, the view and opinions ex pressed are those of the in di vid u al au thors and do not Front (Page 1): Capt Wöhrer, OPI of the apple transport nec es sar i ly co in cide with those of the United Nations or the Force Photo and Graphic by WO II Gernot Payer Com mand er. The cop y right of all material in this jour nal is vest ed in Unit ed Back (Page 28): J-CON members show their skills Na tions Pub li ca tions ex cept where an ac knowl edg ment is made Photo by WO II Gernot Payer to an oth er hold er. No articles or il lus tra tions may be re pro duced with out the per mis sion of the ed i to ri al staff. 2 - the UNDOF Journal Force Commander’s Message UNDOF FC

Dear Fellow Peacekeepers It is with great pride and pleasure that I am able to address you all in our UNDOF Golan Journal. I would like to warmly welcome all the recently arrived Peace- keepers, both military and civilian, to UNDOF. I hope that every-one of you have a peaceful and enjoyable tour with us here on the Golan. I look forward to seeing as many of you as I pos- and this is especially all those involved – well sibly can on my visits, true in a region such as done! tours and duties around this where the situation So, maintain the excel- the Mission. can very easily and rap- lent standards and keep I wish to welcome the idly change. We must morale high. Stay safe, new rotation of OGG remain ever vigilant and remain alert and enjoy UNMO’s from UNTSO continue to maintain our your time with UNDOF. to the UN Golan peace- high standards when For those of you who keeping family. Have a there is so much politi- are just about to return successful and reward- cal tension and dialogue home, thank you, best ing tour. in the Middle East at the wishes to your families The seasons are now moment. and have a safe journey. changing. The sun and UNDOF continues to heat are once again mature and go from Thank you Ďiakujem returning to Mt. Hermon, strength to strength. I Danke Dziękuję signaling the advance of am delighted to see the Arigato Merci the summer. Thankfully, progress of our moderni- since my last Golan mes- zation program and all sage, the overall situa- the benefi ts that this will tion has remained rela- bring. We have also seen tively calm and stable. an historic event with the There is an old saying transfer of the apples; it that “peace can never has been a tremendous Major General B. N. SHARMA be taken for granted” and rewarding effort by Force Commander UNDOF

- the UNDOF Journal 3 Chief of Staff Words

Comrades of UNDOF! Since the last Golan Jour- nal issue, three months have passed by as if they were merely three days. Having

COS UNDOF been here for ten months, I am not surprised by this feel- ing anymore. I hope you feel the same because it would mean that you also are very busy and, thus, enjoying your time in UNDOF. Let me tell you why I am so happy here. I see things improving. I see the hard work on the modernisation program. In this context, I of cooperation and quality of We are on a good way to want to express many thanks work. I see a very good coop- make sensible use of the to LtCol Hussey and the eration between the battal- budget granted to us by the members of his branch. The ions. I congratulate the Com- United Nations. The Section same goes for the improve- manding offi cers who con- Chiefs, as well as the mili- ment of the use of our Infor- tribute a lot to it. LOGBATT tary budget OPIs do a fi ne mation Technology and the is delivering an impressive job under the guidance of Mr. better understanding of the performance and I thank Jerry Smith. I am not sure if procedures. especially LtCol Myers for we could fi nd a more correct One of the aspects of mod- the immediate assistance and supportive CAO than ernisation is the establish- and effective support that the him anywhere. ment of the HQ structure Force always gets from them. Last but by far not least, 2005, which is in the fi nal I see a high degree of I want to thank our Force stages, and for example, the fl exibility and effi ciency in Commander for his wise and establishment of the Ops the Force. During the apple strong leadership. For me it is centre and the improvement transfer, many of you took on a great pleasure to work with in the organisation within extra tasks and fulfi lled them you, Sir. the UNDOF HQ. The Branch very professionally. I want Heads and Commanding Are these words somehow to thank all involved and in very personal? Yes. They just Offi cers gave their valuable particular Maj Kert. He made input to this. Thanks! explain, why I deem myself a very great effort to perform lucky to serve here with you. I see good development of various functions at the same Let us all continue on this UNDOF’s policies and stand- time. The same applies to Maj path, please! ardisation. Sometimes, this Jussel, who arrived in the work is not easy, but then the Mission in somewhat tense Col Andreas Safranmüller results refl ect the high level times. Good job so far! COS UNDOF

4 - the UNDOF Journal People of UNDOF of People New People in UNDOF The new CO J-CON The new MA to the FC

Maj Kazuyuki Sato was Major David Brazier was born in the Kumamoto pre- born in London, United fecture of south-western Kingdom, in 1969. He joined Japan on the 22nd of Octo- the British Army ‘green ber 1968. beret’ Commandos at the Maj Sato began his mili- age of 17, specializing in tary career in 1992 after mountain and arctic war- graduating from the National Defense Acad- fare. After serving for three years he became emy with a Bachelor Degree in International an offi cer in the British Army, graduating from Relations. the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Sur- Maj Sato successfully completed the Infan- rey, England, two years later. His fi rst posting try Basic Offi cers Course in 1993, the Airborne was to Germany where he lived for four years. Basic Course and Ranger Offi cer Course in 1994 Operational tours include Bosnia, Kosovo and and in 2001, he completed the Infantry Captains the Middle East with 7th Armoured Brigade (the Career Course at the US Army Infantry School. ‘Desert Rats’). He transferred to the Australian In 2003, Maj Sato was promoted to his current Army in 2002 and served with 1st Armoured rank and in the same year he also completed Brigade and then Headquarters Special Opera- the Command and General Staff Course. tions. He has come to UNDOF after being an After his graduation, he was assigned to UNMO with OGG-D. He has gained a BA Command the 3rdCompany of the 32nd Infan- (Hons) in International Relations from Staf- try Regiment. On March 2nd 2005, Maj Sato will fordshire University, an MPhil in International take over command of the 19th Japanese Con- Relations from Cambridge University and a tingent of UNDOF on the Golan. teaching degree in secondary history from Maj Sato is married and is expecting his fi rst London University. Major Brazier has also child in July. spent time as a mountain leader and canoeing His hobbies include reading, Kendo and Iai- instructor in both Scotland and Bavaria. He is Do, a Japanese Samurai sword form of martial the fi rst Australian ever to serve with UNDOF. arts. Major Brazier is divorced. Collecting for Operation Ahmad Abedulkarim is a boy 4 years old and had water in his skull. Abdelrahman Elbujairami from the Procurement Section asked people from UNDOF to donate money for his operation. The donation was 77.680 SYP and the vital operation was successful. On behalf of the child’s family, and especially his mother, special thanks to UNDOF and as translated in his mother’s note below: “Thank you very much for your quick response and kind help for my son at such short notice. The operation would have been impossible without your kindness. God bless you all and spare you any such plight as my son and family went through. UNDOF’s generosity has saved my son’s life!”

- the UNDOF Journal 5 Visits to UNDOF Visits

Japanese Delegation Mr. Sumio Tarui, Japanese Interview with FC by German TV (ARTE TV) reporter Executive Secretary, International Peace (8th February) Cooperation, HQ, Cabinet Offi ce (17th January)

Mr. Luis Da Costa, Director of Logistics Support Mr. Luis Da Costa, Director of Logistics Support Division, DPKO and Mr. Philip Compte, Special Division, DPKO and Mr. Philip Compte, Special Assistant Director with FC, COS, CAO and UNDOF Assistant Director with lokal staff committee (4th

Further visits to UNDOF 22 members of Israel-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League visited J-CON (6th January) 12 members of Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited CZ for familiarization with UNDOF (31st January) A delegation of American Embassy in Damascus participated in UNDOF Operational Briefi ng, OP71 Quneitra (2nd February) 2 Japanese Delegation of International Peace Cooperation obtained UNDOF Operational Briefi ng and visited AOS-tour (27th February) Japanese Delegation Mr. Kokichi TOMITA, Deputy Director- General, Secretariat of International Peace Canadian Press came to CZ and interviewed Cooperation, HQ, Cabinet Offi ce (27th March)

6 - the UNDOF Journal for their performance. The International Sports Day AUSBATT soccer team also did very well, reaching the

fi nals for the soccer cup. That Sport game was really very tough and had to be decided in a penalty shoot out. AUSBATT lost unluckily. On more of an ironic note I have to add, that the AUSBATT Welfare offi cer Lt I Groeppel was mistaken in announcing that this fi nal was the ideal chance for revenge for the dis- astrous defeat of the Austrian national soccer team against Israel some years ago (5 : 0). Now we are hoping for two revenges next year. UNDOF sportsmen with international colleagues Text: Maj S. PERR, FWO The annual IDF (Israel ner. (POLBATT Defense Forces) Sports Day had to cancel was conducted on Monday their participa- 04 April 2005 in Tel Aviv tion on short with competitors from IDF, notice unfortu- UNTSO (Military Observers) nately to attend a MFO (Multinational Force and mourning service Observers on the Sinai), TIPH for their late Pope (Temporary International Pre- John Paul II). sence in Hebron), UNDOF and The UNDOF Military Attachés. team scored the overall third place (calculating all sport compe- The successful J-CON team titions in total). Since J-CON sol- diers are well know as very good runners, they had been J-CON member on the track asked to make Competitions were held in a running team Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, for the relay race Tug of War and Relay Race. (4 times 500m). UNDOF participated with This was a good 35 competitors from AUSBATT, decision, because CANLOG, SLOVCON and they took second J-CON and they represented place and are to The AUSBATT soccer team the Force in an excellent man- be commended - the UNDOF Journal 7 Same, same, but different! At fi rst glance you may say that this was just another exercise. But, and this I want to underline twice, this was an exercise of special signifi cance. He led his soldiers to OP 56 sitting on a Nyala vehicle like a knight on a big white horse. The demonstrators were AUSBATT shifted aside by the soldiers in accordance to the standard operation procedures. Further on, fi rst aid was given to the very realistically prepared injured OGG soldier. Artifi cial blood was running out of his mouth and a terrible wound was placed on his head. The good message fi rst, during the exercise he got professional medical care quick enough to survive. At the end of each day, the most important lessons tarting with simple to evacuate this area as soon learned were put together in tasks, the Gopher as possible. The fi re brigade a smart power point presen- Hole exercise was assisted the NBC experts to tation. All the incidents were conducted by Major decontaminate all soldiers and discussed later on with the SAbfalter (COO of AUSBATT) vehicles coming from the con- like a concert. First slowly and cerned positions. For this, they soft sounds were heard, like got rid off their clothes, prob- birds singing in the trees. But ably contaminated with radio- then, the tasks were build- active dust. And of course, ing up to higher complexity. they took a shower and were This was comparable to the brushed as well as possible. mighty thunderstorm like in Hence, the whole possible Beethoven’s 5th symphony. incident was executed from For example, there was sug- the beginning to the end. The gested an airplane crash in the capacity and equipment of involved soldiers to improve vicinity of Position 37 at the AUSBATT was demonstrated their experience for the future. 2nd Coy. Unfortunately this and proven for use. And again it was shown to plane was imagined to trans- Another example to draw every participant, that there port radioactive material. So your attention to was an is a big difference between what had to be done? First the exercise demonstration in the learning things in the class- information was given to the POLBATT area at Observa- room and doing it actively out- responsible offi cers and sol- tion Post 56. A heavily injured side e.g. in a position. diers. After the NBC alert and OGG soldier was presumed. individual NBC protection of The Commander of the 2nd Text by Maj Hans Hutter each soldier, it was decided coy conducted the operation. Photos by Sgt Thomas Aigner

8 - the UNDOF Journal Why do we have to train? SLOVCON

Photo by Sgt Thomas

s training really im- detail? Every new soldier and soldiers allowing us to portant? Is it necessary? coming to the mission has to improve our performance. Everybody is a soldier participate in basic training It is important to reveal any and has been already in order to be prepared to discrepancies between given Itrained for the job, so why must respond to the different orders and their executions we practice the same things all situations at UNDOF. On the and fi nd out the reasons over again? Even though most theoretic foundation erected behind them. Every soldier soldiers are fed up of that it is at the start of the training we works hand in hand being a our duty and responsibility. build the practical training valuable part of a functioning If we hesitate to carry out facing real life situations. team. proper training we may Even though the current During the last Gopher underestimate a potentially security status at the Golan Hole-exercise we had the hazardous situation. Heights does not require us to opportunity to implement 3rd Company AUSBATT has use the shelters due to shelling, our rigid training. We found taken its training assignment every soldier must know how ourselves in a wide variety very seriously and initiated to react in the improbable of events proving that we are a thorough training for its event. Trained-in reactions fl exible, well prepared and soldiers as an important and through repeated training professional. integral part of the mission. may make the difference in a My thanks go to all com- Step by step we prepared our life and death situation. The manders and all soldiers of soldiers from basic training, different potential emergencies the 3rd Coy and I appreciate the shooting exercises and coy are fi res at the position, civilian contribution by all other parts exercises, all training goals demonstrations in the AOS/ of AUSBATT. culminating in the Gopher AOL, NBC attacks. Hole-Exercise. During training we evaluate Text by Capt Martin SOMSKY What are these steps in the response of commanders OiC 3rd Coy

- the UNDOF Journal 9 NEW QUALITY t the beginning of 2005 acquired a new quality. At Indeed, when we expressed Athere come routine the onset of my UNDOF serv- more mutual trust, when we changes - J-CON, CANCON ice, the relations between the started to perceive one another and POLBATT as competent and have accom- professional sol- plished their diers, when we mission. For began to spend POLBATT some this is a free time together, well-deserved our service be- ending of their came more bear- service, for oth- able, and the usual ers it is time to homesickness, as commence their well as the long- duties – all in ing for one’s fam- all, the natural ily, became some- order of events what less painful. at the Golan We have parted as Heights. Photo by WOII Gernot Payer friends do, hoping Still, there is a difference Canadians, the Japanese, and to meet again in the future. - the soldiers who have just the Poles were by far offi cial Having completed our mis- completed their mission have and formal. And all it took sion here, at the Golan Heights, introduced great changes to was to express more willing- we depart enriched with new our ‘Golan venture’ ness to appreciate that our experience and acquaint- Admittedly, the ideal is yet national features character- ances, and we leave the spirit to be attained, but these sev- ize us but do not divide, and of tolerance and respect, with eral months have proved that that we had come to the Golan the deepest belief that it will the life of Camp Ziouani has Heights with the same aim. remain in this land forever.

Original Story Articles by Capt J. Barczewski hey met on the Golan of mission reached to the end, THeights. He gone away fi rst and she The Woman and the Man. after. They returned to their Polish and Austrian. fatherlands. She was the medical labo- Such a seemingly banal ratory employee, He was the story. AUSBATT STS Commander. Not so long ago to Golan And against all odds, in Heights arrived the message human envy atmosphere of that still in love – Kinga and some and friendliness of oth- Patrik got married in Austria, ers, day after day carrying out on January 29, 2005. their missionary duties – they were wonderfully develop- On behalf of all our friends and ing love between them. Two fellows from UNDOF I wish You hearts, which found each other only sunny days, mutual respect thousand of kilometers away and love. from their countries. The time Kinga and Patrik Kremer God Bless You All ! 10 - the UNDOF Journal STS COOPERATION STS (Special Task Service) came into existence from AUSBATT and POLBATT It is destined for: ► doing reconnaissance patrols in UNDOF AOR ► security of FORCE COMMAND VISIT (every two weeks) ► blocking roads and participating in TCP (temporary checkpoint) were helping The last shooting training P O L B A T T (01 - 04 03 2005) proved that STS soldiers in spite of many differences in diffi cult among soldiers from Vienna, situations in Bratislava and Warsaw, that da ngerou s we could work together like zones many “brothers in arms”. We could times. In follow the same orders and August 2004 shoot together at the same tar- we had a lot gets. of work with We hope that it is not the Photo by WOII Gernot Payer mine acci- end of our friendship and that dents. This our successors will be proud to AUSBATT and POLBATT cooperation was very impor- do the same and maybe even STS performed their tasks tant for Polish STS. We started more. Maybe they will make separately in their AOR. But to mix Force Command Visit the friendship between pla- in summer 2004 the situation crews. was changed. Commander When the AUSBATT STS Lt I Georg new CO STS Pferschy made an offer for P O L B A T T cooperation to the Com- Lt Dariusz mander POLBATT STS Lt I D e m s k i Marcin Matczak. At the begin- took over ning these were a few common his duties patrols in POLBATT AOR. on Septem- Friends from AUSBATT STS ber 2004, the coopera- tion devel- oped con- tinuously. Both platoons have toons even closer? patrols together along B-Line. It is necessary to mention, Soldiers meet each other more that some offi cers from J-CON often also after duty. and HQ sometimes take part New acquaintances and in STS patrols. It has been evi- friendships “made in UNDOF” dentially proven that we all may go on in Austria, Slovakia are the same soldiers with the and Poland? Soldiers’ meet- Blue Berets. ings after patrols and train- ings make our job easier and Article by Capt J. Barczewski build trust for each other. - the UNDOF Journal 11 ICRC & UNDOF That is why there is also a political reason bound to this topic. It may be talks, which bring persons of different cultures together. Prejudices and fears may be reduced in this process. Well, talks had been conducted between businessmen, humanitarian organisations and politicians in Damascus, Tel Aviv and the UN in New York. The positive result of this inter agency (UNDOF, ICRC) cooperation and mediation between both sides is that fi nally some 4000 tons of apples, grown by Druse farm- Four million kilograms of apples were reloaded onto ICRC trucks on A- ers on the A-side, have been or some human beings an apple is just a fruit. F For others, especially on the Golan Heights, apples have gained additional meaning. There is certainly an economic reason to trade apples. Nor- mally this reason would not be worth noticing, in the case of two countries tied up closely with trading issues. But this order is completely different. For more than 31 years there has not been any trading activities between Israel and Syria. The origin often mentioned is the lack of a peace treaty between these countries since then. 12 - the UNDOF Journal ICRC & UNDOF & ICRC

ICRC lorry crossing from A-side to B-side, passing UN Checkpoint “Charly” transferred to the B-side of After a check, the apples were cerning the apple transfer the fence. With the profes- reloaded onto Syrian trucks. between Israel and Syria. sional ICRC transporter teams And then their trip continued Moreover UNDOF secured the handling of the apples at the A and B-gates in the early phase of realization. For about one month the UNDOF Spe- cial Task Service group were observing the procedure of unloading and reloading the trucks of the Red Cross. There had been no incident and therefore the whole issue can be viewed as a big success. It is not known, if all these precious apples will stay in Syria, or if they will be sold to other countries like Saudi Ara- bia, but what all the involved soldiers know now is, that four STS obsrerve the right handling of the precious apples on B-side million kilograms of apples is made the task run smoothly on to Damascus. a very large amount. and quickly. Some hundreds From the onset of this task, of truck loads were trans- UNDOF was involved in the Text by Maj Hans Hutter ferred from A-gate to B-gate. process of negotiations con- Photos by Maj Kert and WOII Payer - the UNDOF Journal 13 VISIT OF GENERAL R. R. HENAULT, CMM, CD s the Christmas festive season drew to a close, A and focus was turned toward the upcoming year of 2005, Canadian soldiers in the Golan Heights, mem- CANCON bers of LOGBATT received a very important visitor. From 30 December 2004 until noon

After starting the fi re, General Henault, third from left line is seen dancing with members of the LOGBATT duty Fire Crew during Camp Ziouani’s New Year’s Eve celebration Bon Fire. future and to attend the New 25 hardy soldiers who braved Years Eve bonfi re. As part of the cold – 5 degrees Celsius the New Years celebrations, temperatures to jump into Inspecting the Quarter Guard in his the CDS made some opening the water. Later, Gen Henault honour, General Henault (in blue remarks to start the LOGBATT participated in a traditional jacket) smiling at the response to a Polar Bear Dip in the Camp Japanese ceremony, the mak- question. Seen with Pte Tammy Ste- Ziouani water reservoir which ing of rice cakes. Afterward, venson, Sup Tech from LOGBATT was attended by not less than he attended the annual New on New Years day, the Chief Years Levee in the Camp of Defence Staff, General R.R. Ziouani Warrant Offi cers’ and Henault, CMM, CD visited the Sergeants’ Mess, where he met Canadian Contingent. Accom- and talked with several Offi c- panying him on his trip to the ers, Warrant Offi cers and Sen- Middle-East region were the ior Non-Commissioned Offi c- Canadian Forces Chief War- ers from the Canadian and rant Offi cer, CWO Daniel Gil- other UNDOF contingents. bert and the ADC to the CDS, Although brief, the visit by Major Tom Bradley. the CDS was memorable for In addition to meeting with the amount of activities that he the Force Commander for participated in while in Camp dialogue regarding the future Ziouani. It goes without saying participation of Canada in that we will miss his outgoing UNDOF, the CDS found time and friendly personality now to inspect a Quarter Guard in General Henault wearing Japanese that he is leaving the Canadian his honour, to brief all Cana- traditional New Year’s jacket mak- ing rice cakes while a courageous Forces to become NATO’s Sen- dian Soldiers about what is member of J-Con turns the rice after ior Military Representative. going to be happening in our each hit by the mallet. Article by Capt P.A. Kallaghan 14 - the UNDOF Journal Dead Sea Half-Marathon and 10 km run rd The 23 Dead The top CANCON Sea Half-Mara- Austrian run- thon and 10 km ner for the run was held Half-Marathon this year on 19 was Cpl Franz February 05. The Lindschinger Traditional Ein with a time of Gedi race is in 1h27 and the memory of Giora top Canadian and Tomer Ron. was Sgt Danny This year‘s theme Lagace with a was „ Running time of 1h41. for Peace“ and Congratula- we were part of tions to both of approximately you. 1.600 runners The top run- from all over the ner for the Start line for the 10 km race world, includ- 10 Km from ing 28 UNDOF members. The approaching the start line the UN participants was Cpl UNDOF delegation was com- before the start signal, it was Travis Saccucci with a time of posed of fi fteen Canadians total chaos. There were peo- 48 minutes. Congratulations and thirteen Austrians. For ple everywhere, including the Travis. I would like to thank some participants, this was 10 Km runners, people doing all the runners for making this their fi rst time to compete in a two kilometre such an event. competitive race The start point for both the and a 10 Km Half-Marathon and 10 km run speed-walking was at the Ein Gedi Spa. The race. When the route for the 10 km was from gun went off, the Ein Gedi Spa up the road the start was toward Masada for 5 km and very slow, as we then return. The Half-Mara- had to manoeu- thon route was all the way to vre through Masada and back. groups of peo- They say that “this is the ple walking, lowest place on the earth” and speed walking the only way to go is up! The and even people fi rst kilometre was a gradual on roller blades. The team at the sign “Lowest Place on Earth” climb up a hill, then it fl at- The temperature was a hot an enjoyable event and I hope tened out for about another 24°C and it very dry with no all have many more runs to two kilometres until another wind. It seemed like we were come. I am sure that we will gradual climb up, and then the running in a sauna. never forget the experience rest was relatively fl at. That When we hit the fi ve-kil- of participating in such a dis- was really appreciated by most ometer mark, the temperature tance run, especially in such of the runners! soared to 32°C, which drained hot temperatures! The 10 Km run started at the energy right out some of 0915 hrs. As everybody was the runners. Written by MCpl Mike Swinimer - the UNDOF Journal 15 J-CON Change of Command On March 2, 2005, J-CON Tomanek, CO SLOVCON and Maj Katsuhiko Tokunaga for held their Change of Command many special guests arrived the excellent job that he and his ceremony at Camp Ziouani. to celebrate this great and men provided, and apprecia- The outgoing CO, tion for his support Maj Katsuhiko to the UNDOF mis-

J-CON Tokunaga handed sion. The COS also over the command gave an encouraging of J-CON to the welcome to the new incoming CO, Maj CO, Maj Kazuyuki Kazuyuki Sato. In Sato. Following the honor of this cer- offi cial part of the emony, Col Andreas ceremony, all honor- Safranmüller, able guests, J-CON COS UNDOF; Col offi cers and soldiers Ei-ichiro Fukazawa, were invited to a the Japanese Air very nice Japanese Attaché to Israel styled lunch. The as the representa- COC reception was tive of the Japanese held at the Golan Defense Agency; LtCol Her- solemn event. The outgoing Club in a pleasant atmosphere bert Pracher, CO AUSBATT; and incoming COs and distin- and all guests enjoyed them- LtCol Rajmund Andrzejczak, guished guests presented their selves. CO POLBATT; LtCol Shawn addresses. Col Safranmüller Article by Cpt N. Matsuguma, Myers, CO LOGBATT; Maj pronounced special thanks to Photo by MSG K. Miyagawa

J-CON New Year Celebration Japanese food it into English: “If someone and drinking asks me what is the Japanese Japanese sake. spirit, I will answer that it is However, the kind and of moderate mind purpose of the such as the scent of a moun- event was not tain cherry blossom at dawn.” only to entertain, We often refer to our country but also to intro- as “the country of wa” which duce our many means “the country of har- guests to some mony”. Harmony is an impor- aspects of Japa- tant element in the Japanese Photo by WOII Gernot Payer nese culture and conscience. We believe that spirit. So then, harmony leads to peace. As I J-CON held New Year cel- what is the Japanese spirit? prepare to return to Japan, I ebrations on 11 Jan in Camp You may be able to fi nd the wish this region harmony that Faouar. I was happy to see answer on the J-CON t-shirts will lead to peace in the near many UNDOF soldiers and sold at the event. A famous future and for many genera- guests enjoying themselves, Japanese saying is printed on tions to come. watching our exhibits, tasting them and I will try to translate J-CON MTO Lt I T. Endo

16 - the UNDOF Journal Force Protection - VBIED MP-Platoon What is the biggest threat to the security of UNDOF personnel?

Probably it is the challeng- ing traffi c combined with bad road conditions and therefore the risk of being involved in a traffi c accident. However, the past has proven that there is always the potential for ter- rorist attacks on UN facilities, such as on UN HQ Baghdad. The weapon of choice for ter- rorists is explosives – typically in very large quantities, and often in the form of vehicu- lar bombs, suicide bombers delay unlikely to exceed 45 accessible by road, fusing & or package bombs. The most minutes, however, a large per- initiation systems and can be likely form of explosives is centage of recent VBIED inci- easily hidden components of the Vehicle Borne Improvised dents have been suicide initi- the vehicle that would enhance Explosive Device (VBIED). IED stands for ‘…any device, incorporating any chemical (explosive) which is designed to kill, injure, destroy or dam- age.’ Used together with cars, trucks, buses, bikes, boats or other vehicles it becomes a VBIED. VBIED incidents are increas- ing and used by virtually all terrorist organisations, almost 33% are directed against police and military targets, 61% of ated. Why VBIED? Because fragmentation and the fuel in which are against static instal- of inconspicuous movement the vehicle enhances the blast. lations. The preferred attack without attracting much atten- What can UNDOF per- modus against installations is tion, most potential targets are sonnel do? Be vigilant at all bringing the VBIED close to times, report any suspicious the target and using a timer vehicle immediately to your or command initiated VBIED. superiors or guards, prevent 75% are likely to involve sedan vehicles from parking next to type vehicles - explosive loads UN installations and control concealed in the trunk (80%) approach to UN facilities. – and larger VBIEDs are deployed in trucks and vans. Author: Capt E. Walla, DFPM Nearly 50% of all VBIEDs are timer initiated with the time - the UNDOF Journal 17 OGG HQ Observer Group (DO G), who main- Golan HQ is stra- tains a close work- tegically located ing relationship on the right hand with the UNDOF side inside the HQ Duty Offi cer OGG gate of Camp on a 24/7 basis. Faouar, close ♦ Co-ordination to the Austrian of training with Offi cers Mess. UNDOF, particu- The OGG HQ is larly with regard under the opera- to Medical and Fire tional command fi ghting training. of FC UNDOF, Throughout responsible for the conduct of its co-ordination and functions OGG liaison between l-r: Capt D. McKevitt (IRL), Maj P. Vindheim (NOR), maintains particu- LtCol W. Stejlen (NED), Capt R. Bushby (AUST), Maj K. Bring HQ UNDOF and larly close links the OGG outstations located to the inspection results. with UNDOF HQ Operations, in Tiberias and Damascus. The ♦ Facilitate all UNTSO OPSINFO and the UNDOF everyday tasks include: crossings through the Alpha/ Crossing Management Center. ♦ Compilation of the inspec- Bravo gates. Many thanks to all for your tion statistics and results from ♦ Liaison with UNDOF continued support and coop- both outstations and briefi ng HQ Operations through the eration! of the FC UNDOF with regard OGG Duty Offi cer Golan Article by Maj Kristina Bring The new Chief OGG-T LtCol Armin Lehner assumed the appointment of Chief Observer Group Golan Tiberias (COGG-T) on 18th March 2005. Born on to the 42nd Infantry Regiment From February 1988 - Feb- 31st March to Freistadt. Following this in ruary 1989 he was the Com- 1962 in 1986 he was posted to the 41st pany Commander of 2nd.Coy Austria, he Infantry Regiment in Enns. AUSBATT. From September joined the In 1994 he was posted to the 1992 - March 1994 he was the Army on Austrian NCO Academy. LtCol SSO-Ops in UNDOF HQ. 30th Sep- Lehner held several appoint- From August 1997 - August tember 1980 ments in various command 1998 he served with UNTSO, after com- and staff positions. including 6 months in OGG- pleting his High School exam- Currently he holds the D and 6 months in OGL, Team inations. From 1981 until 1984 appointment of Commander Sierra. From November 1998 he attended the Military Acad- of the Training Division at the - March 1999 he served within emy in Wr. Neustadt. On 23rd Austrian NCO Academy. OSCE in the KVM (Kosovo September 1984 he graduated He has wide and diverse Verifi cation Mission) in Kos- from the Military Academy as overseas experience having ovo. From April - October 2000 an Infantry Offi cer. served in several UN, OSCE he served in KFOR 2 in the LtCol Lehner was posted and NATO missions. MNB S. 18 - the UNDOF Journal UNDOF - Finance Section Staff Civilian t is a pleasure to be given the salaries for national staff and of the Finance Section is the Iopportunity to introduce the claims related to travel, daily management and administra- Finance Section through this recreation and other military tion of the mission’s accounts magazine. You under authority may recognize the delegated by the faces in the photo United Nations since most of Controller and these staff mem- fully responsi- bers have been ble to provide with UNDOF for fi nancial services quite some time. for the mission. The Finance Sec- All processes tion has 11 staff and procedures composed of 3 are governed by international and the UN Finan- 8 national staff cial Rules and members. We Regulations. The pride ourselves Photo: WO II Gernot approved budget in having a well- for Financial Year balanced gender composition, allowances are processed 2004/2005 amounted to $40.9 each staff member whether and paid out on time. Mr. million. The current mandate male or female, exhibits admi- Rajaee Nasser and Ms. Amalia of UNDOF is extended up to rable knowledge and skills Carpio have this responsi- 30 June 2005 renewable on a necessary to our profession. bility. The Accounts Unit is six-month-period basis sub- The Chief Finance Offi cer responsible for maintaining ject to the General Assembly (CFO), Mr. Fahim Jan, heads the account records and pro- approval. section assisted by the Deputy ducing periodic fi nancial Financial transactions are Chief Finance Offi cer (DCFO), statements, manned by Mr. processed and records are Mr. Adang Sanusi, who super- Gerious Samaan. maintained in four electronic vises the day-to-day fi nancial The Cashier Unit, one of the systems - the Sun System for transactions. Ms. Amal Zeidan more demanding occupations, accounting and payments, provides administrative assist- liaises with banks and issues ProGen for payroll, Mercury ance and secretarial support to cash, cheques and bank trans- for the monitoring/approval of the CFO. There are four main fers payments. The responsible requisitions and Funds Moni- units in the section, namely staff for this unit are Mr. Has- toring Tool (FMT) for budget Vendors’ Unit; Payroll and san Abbas and Ms. Susanne monitoring and reporting. Claims Unit for National staff, Said. (Ms. Said has now left the The section is promoting a Military and International mission for further education). client-oriented environment personnel; Accounts Unit and All payments are handled and therefore, in order to serve Cashiers Unit. The Vendors’ through six bank accounts you better, we encourage you Unit, as the title indicates, is that are maintained in the cur- to come and visit us if you responsible for processing rencies of USD, Israeli Shekels have any queries or sugges- payments to vendors, com- and Syrian Pounds in order to tions. We are located on the posed of Mr. Adnan Tailouny, facilitate payments to vendors second (Finance) and third Ms. Fourat Al-Sheikh and Ms. and clients on both sides of the (Cashier offi ce) fl oors of the Kinana Khalili. The Payroll mission area. Pentagon building. and Claims Unit ensures that The overall responsibility Article by Finance Section - the UNDOF Journal 19 UNDOF remembers 20 SUP SO the in years previous in together worked Hur- had mann Bernie WOII and Austrian, Barker Doug Capt dian, HQ Cana- members. staff UNDOF military former two of service and lives the to tribute pay to together gathered alike, of military and members civilian UNDOF, day, rainy and Memory In CaptDougBarker,amanto remem- Hugs toremember(Berniewithsonand n 7 e 20, n cold a on 2005, Feb 07 On Dedication ceremonyasPadresbestowtheirblessings -theUNDOF Journal

by E.Lynn Elvaiah E.Lynn by h Fre htgahr who Photographer Force mention the to forget cannot we course, of And support. moral provided who AUSBATT and services of gathering the for LOGBATT CO the needed translation, much provided who rain pouring CAO UNDOF the to especially the in emony cer- dedication this attend to able were who members team UNDOF the to thanks Special relied be upon and in bad. in good times could that players as team fun-filled fondly working hard Bernie and Doug remember us of Many office. ceremony was officeremony the by ciated planting tree The Bernie. and Doug both of memory to in plant trees brought son at Dominique, their with present ceremony widow the was who Hurmann’s Aviv, II Scott, WO two and their Amanda children and Ann widow downpour. the memorable despite occasion this of photos many captured n eaf f at Barker’s Capt of behalf On

they be living testimony to the the to testimony living be they life may sun, draw the and soil the from trees these as “… dedication: the from words in summarized were group the within from emanated that ing feel- the and Padres Canadian one another as we remain: remain: we as another one them.“ for cared who and for cared they people the all for were men these that all of symbols real trees these in see friends and families Bernie their May Doug. in and was that force life “In the Service of Peace”. of Service the “In with peace at be all we May Dominique listenasCAO,JerrySmith Scunasar, GerhardBeiszkammerand Proud toweartheblueberet! Ms Hurmannpresentingfl owers OIC Admin,CZ,LynnElvaiah; to CAO,JerrySmith INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

CMPO LtCol Tracz presenting fl owers to his female team nternational Women’s Day for the fi rst time in Austria, ment to proclaim gender (8th March) is an occasion Denmark, Germany and Swit- equality as a fundamental Ito mark a celebration of zerland, where more than human right. the economic, social, cultural one million women and men On the occasion of this very and political achievements for attended rallies. In addition special day, Lt Col A. Tracz, the women. It is the story of ordi- to the right to vote and to hold UNDOF Chief Military Person- nary women as makers of his- public offi ce, they demanded nel Offi cer invited his female tory and it is rooted in the cen- the right to work and to an end staff members to his offi ce to turies-old struggle of women to discrimination on the job. commemorate the event with to participate in society on an As for the role of the United their male comrades in general equal footing with men. Nations we can say, that few and to honor the good work of The idea of an International causes promoted by the United his female HQ team, made of Women’s Day fi rst arose at the Nations have generated more medical and hygienic person- turn of the 20th century, which intense and widespread sup- nel, in particular. in the industrialized world port than the campaign to The invitees were defi nitely was a period of expansion and promote and protect the equal taken by surprise about this turbulence, booming popula- rights of women. The Charter nice gesture, the kind words tion growth and radical ide- of the United Nations, signed and, above all, the fl owers they ologies. In 1911 International in San Francisco in 1945, was received. Women’s Day was marked the fi rst international agree- Article by Maj S. Perr, FWO

morning, a knock came to the who might know us until he door and I found my good met Mohamad. The taxi man neighbour Mohamad, (who remembered our street, but Here is a quick story that I has a supermarket on our had no idea which apartment thought I should tell you: street) standing there with the we lived in. Last weekend in march, taxi driver. In his hand, he had Of course, I gave the taxi my wife and I, with some my digital camera (worth sev- driver a handsome reward, friends went out for a dinner eral hundred $’s) and returned which he thoroughly deser- in Damascus. After dinner, we it to me. I hadn’t even realised ved. These incidents say some- took a taxi home. that it was missing yet!! thing signifi cant about the Unfortunately, we left our The taxi driver had gone honest character of the ‘much- camera in the taxi, without up and down the street that maligned’ Damascus taxi even realising it. The next morning looking for someone drivers. by Comdt P. Doherty - the UNDOF Journal 21 History the Romans or Palmiriens Palmiriens 22 or Romans the Already 1058. in founded old, years 1000 nearly is It beneath. the wide over and quiet stony desert view spectacular a level, with sea above metres 1320 lead monastery, up steps to the colour. Fromof hundreds there same stones the the in between realize to easy not is it bottom its At around. rocks the to ing adher- hermitages small some by down surrounded glen, deep edge a to falls valley the the At where situated: well strategically is valley a of end Nebek of today. church the in relic a as conserved is thumb This body. his took family his when thumb, his separated miracle a tradition local the soldiers. Following Byzantine by mar- tyred was he But valley. in that hermit a then and monk a I the Nebek. town to the behind rocks the in hides Damascus Arabic) in Musa el-Habashi from Mar Deir is (which kilometres Abyssinian the 80 Moses St. of monastery Desert, the Syrian northeast, the of beginning the At Monastery Hidden The The small building at the the at building small The Ethiopian prince, became became prince, an Ethiopian Moses, St. that told is t -theUNDOF Journal Syrian Antiochian Rite. Antiochian Syrian the to belonged it and century life 6 the of middle the monastic in began of beginning the that us, tells evidence cal Archaeologi- monastery. fi the rst for cave the used hermits at Christian later The watchtower place. this a built have church: You have to bend to to enter, door small. the as very is bend to have the You to church: coming when diately imme- building old very a is n raie te at ht it that fact the realizes One Photo: WOIManfredVölkl Photo: SgtArminGogl th pets in front of the altar which which altar the of front in pets car- on sit must visitors no chairs, has church The the fi of re. the interior of tortures the from suffering shown, are ops bish- also hell In hell. and dise para- of presentation a see can visitor the instance for There 5 the to even back some dating of them 12 and 11 the of frescoes with impressive rich is and metres 10 to 10 measures room the Inside lems. lems. Mos- and Christians between dialog religious have to eager monks very also and who are laymen, and nuns of munity com- has international it an become Meanwhile Syrian-Catho- priest. a lic as work to began and arrived Italy from Jesuit a when 1991, in started of Italy. and Syria of states the cooperation the to thanks later years completed was Musa Mar Deir Ten for church. roof new the a with mainly church, the of restoration with the began volunteers some weather. and the roof, wind to exposed were frescoes no had church old the decades For sanctuary. the from keep to tried surroundings the believers ian-Catholic Syr- the but abandoned, was 19 believers. the from area separate a in is th A new monastic community community monastic new A and state Syrian the 1984 In the of half fi rst the During century the monastery monastery the century

th th centuries around, around, centuries n 6 and Text by Maj Stefan May Stefan Maj Textby th centuries. centuries. th Skiing in Lebanon Recreation group of UNDOF soldiers however the Aand civilian staff made a whole area is skiing welfare trip last Janu- better known ary to Lebanon. Even for those under the name advanced in skiing and famil- of Faraya Mzaar iar with nice skiing areas in Kfardebian or Europe it was a great experi- simply again, ence and something to remem- Faraya, which ber. We were lucky in many may be the best- ways. As the snow conditions equipped and been quite poor in Decem- most popular ber, it improved greatly early resort of Leba- this year. As for the weather, non. it was perfect at least for the The resort has fi rst day. After days of snow- 42 slopes and fall the skiing area presented 80 kilometers of itself covered with fresh pow- ski tracks. The der snow and with blue sky. I skiing season in must say I liked the amazing Lebanon is sim- view from the highest eleva- ilar in length to tion 2500 meters above sea that of the Alps level to the nearby Mediter- stretching over ranean Sea with its glittering a period of four A great day to ski water surface in the sunshine. months. Skiers, snowboarders, some time to ski the best of the And Après-ski is something snowmobile addicts, cross- resort and start searching for you can enjoy up in the moun- country lovers and para glid- new tracks. An option here, if tains and even in Beirut, since ers come to the resort from looking for a more challenging all parts of the day, is to hire a guide from the country. Start- ski school to show you other ing at 1850m, exciting areas. Intermediates you may reach will have a lot of fun as well, the 2465m top of and it is also an ideal resort for Mzaar and enjoy beginners as the lower slopes the breathtaking are wide and gentle. view over the colorful Bekaa valley, Mount Hermon of the Anti-Lebanon Lebanon has all together Ready for the fi rst run and other peaks six ski resorts with groomed it’s only a one-hour drive back like Laqlouq and the Cedars. slopes, catering to skiers and from the Faraya skiing resort Coastal towns and even Bei- snowboarders of all levels. So to the downtown area. rut the capital can be seen on there is even more to discover, Faraya is the name of the a clear day. maybe next winter. village just below the actual At Faraya, if you are an Text by Maj S. Perr, FWO slopes in Ouyoune El-Simane; advanced skier, you will need Photos by Maj T. Abfalter, COO-AB

- the UNDOF Journal 23 24 - the UNDOF Journal