CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VOLUME VIII (1) ContemporaryEurasia81 | Page 110

THE UN “SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME” IN UNPA SECTOR WEST …
Check Point Meetings
In July of 1992, the affected population was given the opportunity to
meet family members and other relatives from whom they had been
separated since the outbreak of the armed conflict in 1991 at the checkpoints
that had been established along the ceasefire line. These meetings, protected
by UNPROFOR, were of particular significance for the local population,
especially for ethnically mixed families. On average, about 350 persons
participated each week in the Check Point Meetings.
Extremist members of the local authorities on both sides tried to
prevent the meetings, since they viewed them as acts of unwanted
forgiveness. On several occasions, UNPROFOR was told that the meetings
could not take place for security reasons. When UN Civil Affairs pointed out
that security was within the purview of UNPROFOR, the local authorities
generally cooperated and the Check Point Meetings continued.
Local police on both sides attempted in various ways to keep
participants from joining the Check Point Meetings. For example, police
harassed and provoked participants through surveillance measures. However,
the will of the population to participate in the meetings ultimately prevailed,
and the police finally refrained from interfering.
UN Parcel Delivery Programme
In connection with the Check Point Meetings, a Parcel Delivery
Programme was organized that made it possible to send food, clothing and
other personal items across the ceasefire line. Also in this case, there was
significant resistance by the authorities, especially on the Croat side, since
the programme was interpreted as aiding and abetting the enemy.
UN Village Visitation Programme
As a next step, a Village Visitation Programme was organized. The
goal of this initiative was to enable the displaced population to visit their
original villages. These had often been completely destroyed. Many people
had not seen their villages since fleeing upon the outbreak of the armed
conflict, although in some cases they were as close as 10 or 20 km away.
Both sides viewed the introduction of this programme as particularly
important. Many displaced persons told UN Civil Affairs that they wanted to
return as soon as possible, regardless of the unresolved political situation,
and that it was less important under which political system they would live,
as long as UNPROFOR could guarantee their safety upon return.
110