One friend in war.

Nowadays in Kosovo, French soldiers try to maintain the order in state recently created. Through a childhood friend parked in this country, we are going to try to discover some facets of the French army.



 

-Why did you choose the army?

-At first to help the others, work in one true discipline, to go in for sports and also for the income ut opex. Moreover the uniform also attracts me and it is a really unique profession.

-What are the reasons of the French presence in Kosovo?

-France is a part of the NATO and Kosovo is a country which goes out of the war and remains very unstable. Main causes is a inter-ethnic conflict between Albanians and Serbians, in particular the events of the spring 2008. So because NATO waged war in this country to stop the massacre, it stays to stabilise the country under the name of KFOR. French soldiers work in collaboration with a lot of countries (American,British,Estonian...).During the war,the conflict took place in Yugoslavia, the Muslims against the Orthodoxes, The North against the South.

-Are you for the maintenance of law and order?

-Yes and no, there are other missions but maintenance of law and order are priority mission. Moreover, we try to maintain a calm atmosphere between the ethnies.

-What is the reception of the local population?

-It is generally rather good.

-Why did you choose to go Kosovo; personal choice or a career obligation?

-Generally, in the army, we don't have the choice. You can give your opinions...but ....

-What opex brought to you? From a personal point of view?

-A different glance at the world, a true vision on poverty, the vision of a country which goes out of an extraordinary personal war and an enrichment.

-We didn't see each other for a long time but you told to me that you wished to came back to the civilian life? Always in your mind? Do you have any projects?

-I'll be given the oppotunity to cross non-commissioned officier (sous officier), but there are many sacrifices to be in the army, it is not compatible with a woman and children. I would review in 1 or 2 years.

But being unmarried the army it is the top, otherwise there are too many sacrifices there. An opex for 4 months, it's so hard.... and in future it passing in 6 months. But just for money army is a good choice.

Thanks for you disponibility.

Dimitri Morel