Securing:
Cpl Lutsar secures the area, whilst in the background, the
Carabinieri search a vehicle.
|
With a 21-man
strong contingent, the Estonian contribution to KFOR has a somewhat
unusual task for soldiers. Providing support for the Carabinieri
of the Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU), they are in the borderline
of responsibility between soldiers and police.
1st Lt Pder,
Sgt Kggo and Corporals Lutsar and Silla are out on patrol with
the Carabinieri. It is a normal day, as they are out to provide
support on this particular patrol. Every week, they are out on
operations and searches, but they also have guard duties shared
with the Carabinieri.
Depending on
the operation, the Estonians also have their own objectives to
search, when necessary. Today however, is an everyday event as
their mounted patrol move about in Pristina.
The unusual thing
about the Estonian-Caribinieri combination is that the Estonians
are regular soldiers, while the Carabinieri are a military police
force. Still, the Estonians did not come unprepared to Kosovo
for their particular mission. About a third of the contingent
has previous experience from military police or civilian police
work. In addition to this, they have all received police training
before their deployment, including public order training. "They
are more policemen and we are more soldiers, so we support each
other in that way," says 1st Lt Pder.
First stop is
Pristina Hospital. As the Carabinieri go in, Sgt Kgge goes with
them as an interpreter. Many of the Estonians are able to speak
several languages, and all are able to speak Russian. At the hospital
they hope to interview a man involved in a shooting incident,
but the man has already been released from the hospital when they
arrive.
Continuing with
their patrol, the joint force move out to route Hawk to set up
a mobile vehicle checkpoint (VCP). The Estonians and the Carabinieri
position their vehicles tactically. The Estonians secure the perimeter,
as the Carabinieri pull selected vehicles over and search them.
A car is stopped,
the driver is asked to turn off the ignition and open doors and
hoods. As the Carabinieri search through every thinkable place
in the car to reveal illegal items, Sgt Kgge engages the locals
in a conversation as he guards them. After half a dozen cars have
been searched, the patrol quickly relocates to another route.
"We can't stay long in one spot, as the 'bad guys' will notify
each other on where the VCP is," says 1st Lt Pder. The same procedure
is repeated at the new location, but nothing is found in the searches.
"The situation is peaceful for the time being, so we mostly find
weapons based on tips now," says 1st Lt Pder.
Today's patrol
went smoothly, as does the co-operation between the two units
of the MSU. "Our style of working may be a bit different, but
the Carabinieri are very good at their work and very friendly,"
says 1st Lt Pder. Also, the Commander of the MSU Lt Col Giorgio
Zanasi of the Carabinieri, is happy about the co-operation. "We
work very well together," says Lt Col Zanasi, "Their good behavior
and discipline is particular and we are completely satisfied with
their work".
|
