Sila malejkum or marhaba, it means Hallo (Email from the Golan Heights)

Email | 5/31/02 | N/A

[2banana]

A letter from an European officer I know in on UN duty in the Golan Heights. Gives you a different angle on what is going on over there:

Before 1 week I came to Golan Heights.The situation here is totaly peaceull.Our aera responsibility is along the Israel border.UN forces have been here since 1974, last war between Siria and Israel .Both countries signed up the agreement about disengagement .Our company is under Austrian command.Ve have 7 positions.1 of them is just 200 m from Israel border,but officially it is Syrian territory under Israel occupation.

All border is covered with technical fence built up by Israel where is also minefield 100m wide to Syrian side.Approximately 50 km from that side to the east is aera of separation,where cannot be any Syrian military forces just police or Muhabara- secret Syrian police.Aera is normaly occupied by civilians.Our task is to observe our AOS.To prevent violation of the border and entering any military personnel or police with heavy weapons to this AOS.

Many times happens that shepherds are coming too close to the technical fence.Some of them got killed because of mines.If its happening Israel forces are commig there immediately to present themselves.Because shepherds dont speak english we have to solve this problem by Syrian LO.On the ridge of Golans are placed 2 IDFs-Israel intelligence technical equipment that can see over all area around.

This area is good target for Lebanon Hezbalah.They are trying to hit these IDFs.They almost did it.We could hear explosions.

My position is in height xxxx m.It is equipped quite well.From this position we conduct moto and foot patrols.At this time I am xxxxx commander.After 6 month I will be xxxx commander for next ones and I will get xxxx.There is also Canadian contingent that is responsible for logistic but I havent yet oportunity to speak to them.

In the future I would like to visit Israel.But at this time is just allowed northern part around the lake Tiberias.If you by something in Israel and it has its name,sign,flag,letters Syrian police will not allowe you to come in.The word Israel is prohibited in Syria.It is impossible to see it anywhere even on maps.