In his Day of the Defender of the Homeland greeting to war veterans and servicemen of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, President Kuchma praised highly the professionalism of Ukrainian soldiers who “maintain peace and order as part of international peacekeeping forces.” Rotation of Ukraine’s biggest ever peacekeeping force of 1,656, now six months in Iraq, was completed last week. Our peacekeepers have been put to the test in yet another Middle Eastern hot spot. They faced the challenge of coming to terms with a people of a different religious tradition and meeting NATO standards as part of a multinational peacekeeping force. Most importantly, their military skill has been tested. More on this in the interview with Fifth Detached Mechanized Brigade Commander Maj. Gen. Serhiy BEZLUSHCHENKO carried below.
“What tasks has your brigade been assigned?”
“In Ukraine, when we were preparing for our mission in Iraq, we already knew that Wasit Province would be the zone of our responsibility. Our main tasks have been to maintain peace in the region, escort convoys and humanitarian aid, secure checkpoints, protect local government bodies, the Al Qut military airfield, and other important installations. Soon the Center-South Multinational Division Command, to which we are subordinated, assigned us the task of selecting personnel for the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC). We had to accommodate them for the duration of their training and assign them to different locations for duty. Later we used the same scheme to select and train the Iraqi border police. To this end a special training center has been set up on the territory of the Al-Qut airfield, where our base camp is. My deputy, Lt. Col. Oleksandr Krasnook, was charged with overseeing the training of Iraqis, their assignment to different locations, and making provision for them. In my view, even though it was one of the most difficult assignments, he has handled it commendably.”
“What were the challenges of recruiting people for the Iraqi units?”
“By all accounts, we combined the duties of a recruitment office and training center. Unlike in Ukraine, there are more than enough Iraqis willing to join the army. Where else can a young man without special skills go under conditions of mass unemployment? Only to the army, where he will be taught how to handle weapons, issued a uniform and rations, and get paid. Thus, we had to select the best from the mass of volunteers.”
“How much do Iraqi servicemen earn in their postwar country?”
“A private in the ICDC earns $120 US per month, a sergeant $155, and captain $203. Unlike them, border police receive bonuses for especially dangerous service. They are called agents instead of privates. A border police agent earns 243,000 Iraqi dinars (the equivalent of $173 — Author), sergeant 300,000 dinars ($214), and captain 316,000 dinars ($258). By decision of the Baghdad administration, they are paid differently: ICDC people in US dollars and border police in the local currency. Meanwhile, currency exchange rates fluctuate all the time. We have even had conflicts because of this. Once, when paying an ICDC man, our accountant handed him a ten-dollar bill, to which he said that is was only eight dollars. You see, that day the dollar exchange rate dropped on their local market. Meanwhile, we have to explain to them the mechanism of payment and what the numbers on the bills mean. Even such trifles can become a problem we have to address.”
“What did our peacekeepers have to do for the first time in Iraq?”
“In Ukraine we did not pay adequate attention to such a special unit as the civil military cooperation unit (CIMIC). We concentrated on adapting our units and training personnel. After all, we were preparing to serve under dangerous conditions, where you expect to be shot at. Meanwhile, the officers of this unit ended up being assigned a vast array of tasks connected with ensuring the public welfare. They had to travel within the province, assess reconstruction needs, and draft contracts for the reconstruction of the province’s infrastructure. Believe me, it was very difficult for people who have for many years worked in administrations and headquarters to understand what had to be done. I ampleased to say that we have managed this difficult task and done so quite successfully. Credit for this goes to Civil Military Cooperation Brigade Chief Lt. Col. Valery Kuzmin. According to the results of its activity, the Ukrainian CIMIC ranks the highest among all similar units within the Center-South Multinational Division.
“We have developed and implemented 86 projects worth $2,535,000. It would be no overstatement to say that Ukrainian peacekeepers have made a significant contribution to the reconstruction of the postwar region. In particular, our officers have been involved in reviving agriculture, repairing irrigation systems, power mains, schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and courts, rebuilding forts for the Iraqi border police and barracks and headquarters for ICDC units. It was no accident that Center-South Multinational Division CIMIC Department chief Jean Van Den Elson himself, a Dutch colonel and architect of the CIMIC system in postwar countries, highly evaluated the contribution of our officers. He wouldn’t believe it if he were told how many of them are in our CIMIC unit.”
“Is the number really so incredible?”
“Judge for yourself. For example, the Poles have two CIMIC units numbering 22 and forty respectively. The Philippines have 72 officers, the Hungarians 52, the Americans twelve, Bulgarians seventeen, while the Spanish have two units numbering nineteen and 36. Meanwhile, our CIMIC unit had only five officers.”
“The brigade field camp in Es-Suveyra has been repeatedly fired on with various kinds of weapons. It is there that landmines planted by terrorists at night are discovered most often. Is this the reason why the Ukrainian peacekeepers have dubbed this area Chicago?”
“The situation is in fact very tense there. This is because the Es-Suveyra area is densely populated with Sunni families loyal to Saddam Hussein. It was no accident that our patrol was ambushed there one night, and several Ukrainian peacekeepers were injured. Now we have established closer contact with the locals. As a result, they recently helped prevent a bombardment of the field camp by unidentified terrorists, who had already prepared a firing site.”
“The brigade has for the first time included military police units, which is a quite recently established force. How have they performed?”
“Almost all burden of maintaining order in cities where our units are stationed has been shouldered by military police. When we arrived in Al-Qut, aside from US Marines we were also received by military police. They had quickly come to terms with our peacekeepers and transferred to them their functions of patrolling the city after several weeks. We didn’t even expect them to initiate us into all aspects of their duties so painstakingly. Aside from their experience of maintaining order in unfamiliar terrain, the Americans shared with us the relevant literature and technical appliances. We learned everything else hands on. We have done much to create and arm the local Iraqi police. We have repaired the premises of police precincts and bought furniture and office equipment with the money provided under the relevant projects. Recently we repaired three patrol motorboats, thereby founding the Al-Qut River Police.
“During the January unrest, when we had to hold back protesters, the military police were in the front line and stood up to the onslaught of protesters. For this reason I didn’t think twice before signing an application for military decorations for our military policemen.”
“How often do you meet leaders of local parties or movements?”
“Relations with local leaders are a different story. Iraqis have a very unusual mentality. In some things the behavior of an Arab is quite clear and in others unfathomable for a Slav. For example, throughout the centuries a tradition has formed whereby everyone is subordinated to elders, be it in the family, community, school, or party. Whatever the elder says is taken as gospel. Even if the decision of the local elder runs counter to official law, it will be obeyed nonetheless. We are in the Middle East. Thus, during meetings at all levels one must be careful what one says. You have to make good every promise. Otherwise, you can forget about your reputation. Meanwhile, news of that spreads like wildfire.”
“Being a politician in a uniform must be difficult?”
“Extremely. In the province we represent Ukraine and the coalition forces. We have to prepare thoroughly for meetings with representatives of the clergy, political parties, business circles, local law enforcement services, and journalists. I’m very grateful to our interpreter Khasun Abdel Khamid, a native of Iraq. He taught me many things, from the local customs and culture to the protocol of meetings with leaders of different caliber. I accept with gratitude any recommendation that can help establish relationships with those in power and the local people.”
“Word has it that terrorists have a put price on your head. Have you heard this?”
“If they have, then our peacekeepers have achieved some successes in the province and enjoy respect among the common folk. Since I’m still alive, the new brigade commander has someone to learn from.”
“How often do you call home, and how does your family feel about your service in Iraq?”
“I call them often, and they treat my work in Iraq with understanding.”
“Thank you for the interview.”
“Same to you. Incidentally, the press center has also done a great deal for the brigade. Ukrainians know about the Fifth Detached Mechanized Brigade almost everything, perhaps as much as they know about their own kin.”
