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Australia Honours Norwegian Officers
Three and a half years after they took part in the UN-mission to East-Timor, six Norwegian officers were awarded medals by the Australian government for their efforts. The observation mission was under Australian control until February 2000.
By Kjetil Eide and Kim H. Bjorheim (Photo), FMS
CHALLENGING DUTY: The duty as a military observer was very demanding, especially in the beginning. (From the left) lieutenant colonel Dagfinn Unhjem, major Bjarte Solaas and major Øyvind Johnsen received medals for their efforts.
- This is definitely one of the most difficult missions we ever have had observers take part in. At times it was a very bloody conflict, as well as climatically and environmentally challenging, said Commander of the Land Forces, Sverre Diesen, of the National Joint Headquarters.
He explained under a ceremony at Sessvollmoen on Thursday, also attended by others returned from duty, how important the effort abroad is to Norway’s own security.
- The Norwegian Defence is no longer an organisation that is stockpiled in anticipation of another world war in the future. Conflicts around the world impacts Norway's own security, that is why missions abroad is one of the prioritised tasks for the Defence in the future, Diesen said.
APPRICIATED: Major general Sverre Diesen marked that efforts abroad have a strong focus for the National Joint Headquarters.
Important for Norway
- It is their task to explain to society that their efforts abroad do not weaken the defence of Norway. Their effort is the sharp edge of the sword and not a sidetrack. People we use abroad are people we definitely can use at home, he said.
Three of the six Norwegians, who in 1999 participated in the establishment of International Force East Timor (INTERFET), were present under the ceremony. Lieutenant Colonel Dagfinn Unhjem was in the planning staff, major Bjarte Solaas was an engineer and major Øyvind Johnsen was in intelligence. In addition, lieutenant colonel Brynjar Nymo, major Kjell Lamo and captain Mads Flornes were involved in civil-military co-operation, media and information, and medical duties respectively. All the Norwegians took part in different departments of the Australian headquarters.
A City in Ruins
- I remember well when I loaded my pistol with live ammunition in Darwin (Australia), before we flew to Dili. Fires raged throughout the city. We had to get out of the Hercules plane quickly since they wanted to leave as fast as possible. No one came and picked us up even though Australia had promised us transportation, Unhjem said.
Indonesian forces had not yet withdrawn when they arrived. There was no electricity or any windows in their quarters, and the roof leaked. The furniture consisted of a few boxes. They had four flashlights; only two worked. It became pitch dark early. The Norwegian officers were dressed in Norwegian winter uniforms, made for arctic climates, in temperatures up to 40 degrees celcius.
- It was incredibly primitive, Unhjem said. But the pleasant part was that the situation soon quieted down, and they saw progress all the time. Their own standards of living also improved. Solaas was assigned the task of checking that maps correlated with the road system, and was therefore INTERFET's first man in many places.
Received as Gods
- We were received as Gods. People came crying toward us. It was an incredibly strong experience, he said. In one incident, militia shot at one of the cars accompanying Solaas. After six months of service he felt physically and emotionally drained, and therefor returned home.
- There was much that appeared wrong. You see so much misery. It became difficult to deal with, said Solaas. Still, he returned in 2001. Then he got to see again a school the Norwegians adopted and supported with materials. The development had been positive. From having 100 pupils, and a 15 year-old teacher, the young teacher had been substituted by two older ones.
Norway withdrew from East Timor on 31 October 2002. The UN plans to finish the mission in June 2004.
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