Blog 10: Support Command in Lukavac

Support Command in Lukavac

Support Command (the supporting unit of Dutchbat) was based in Lukavac from 1994 to 1995. In 1995 Support Command was merged in 1995 with the Dutch/Belgium transport battalion (based from 1992 in Busovaca and Santici, close to Vitez) to the Log/Transport battalion located in Santici and Busovaca.
When I arrived in Bosnia in late 1994, the situation in Bosnia was very critical.

The ABiH (the Muslim Bosnian Army) and the HVO (The Croatian Bosnian Army) just shortened their positions and captured under Operation Cincar 430 square kilometers from the Bosnian Serbs (VRS) around Kupres and they finally captured Kupres on 3 November 1994. This battle was the first result of the Muslim-Croatian alliance since the Washington Agreement which was signed in March 1994 and which ended the Muslim-Croatian war and lead to the Federation of Bosnia and Hercegowina.

The capture of Kupres didn’t optimize the relationship between the UN and the Bosnian Serbs and after the NATO attack on 21 November 1994 on a Serbian controlled air base in Udbina in Croatia more than 400 UN soldiers (including Dutch, French and British soldiers) were taken hostage. 32 Dutch UN soldiers from Support Command were held hostage by the Serbs in Zvornik with their fuel convoy on the way to Dutchbat in Srebrenica. After negotiations on the 5th December Sinterklaas and Black Piet visited Lukavac and announced that the Bosnian Serbs allowed the Dutch convoy to drive back from Zvornik to Lukavac and a few days later the convoy arrived again in Lukavac which was really fortune for these guys (including 1 lady).

1994- Announcement of Sinterklaas that Serbs allowed the Dutch convoy to return

1994-Return of the kidnapped fuel convoy on the compound of Lukavac

Support Command was based on an old cokesplant named Boris Kidric, which was operated before the war by a crew of 2500 and produced benzene, ammoniac and cokes. This location was rented for 65.000 DM + 140.000 DM for heating per year from the workers collective which formally owned the plant. The plant was badly maintained before the handover and Support Command withdrew more than 200 ton waste from the area. Following measurements and analyses of some samples from the area it was decided that the pollution was “limited and acceptable”.

1994-Overview of the Boris Kidric Plant

1994-The Fuel depot (self healing bags)

2018-Boris Kidric today

1994-Lorries as additional protection of the compound

2018-Boris Kidric today

Same area in 1994

2018-Boris Kidric today

1994-Main entrance of the compound

1994-Not all intruders were seen as a threat

2018-Boris Kidric today

However after the war it became clear that the soil was much more polluted than explained. During the wat the Norwegian Army refused to rent the plant after the results of their investigations and following their investigations the drinking water was even after a long cooking time not acceptable for drinking water.

After investigation by TNO, the Dutch Army and DHV it became clear that after the war 40% of Lukavac's veterans were suffered by unclear health issues and that this was 2 times higher than the average of the Dutch veterans. Following the results of the investigations the issues were mainly caused by polluted water and polluted air and not by the dust around the plant.
However during my stay in the winter the snow was black after 1 day so this site was not really healthy for people.

Following the investigation team and the Dutch Army, the measured values were below the level which could result in long time and permanent health issues, however I am sure that many of my colleagues won’t agree with this results and I know that some of the ex-Lukavac veterans are still have health issues from this pollution.

In April (date) 1995 the Boris Kidric plant was heavily shelled by the Serbian Army, propably to eliminate a Bosnian ABiH commanding centre which was based in the middle of the plant. At the start of the shooting I was part of group that was cleaning the area. The sound and the speed of the incoming long range heavy artillery grenades during that entire day are etched in my ears forever.

1995-Running for life to the main bunker

1995-Counting if all men are safe in the bunker

1995-Also the local team members sheltered in the bunker

Boris Kidric today

Today (25 April 2018) my son and I visited the Boris Kidric plant. Before our trip I sent an email to the existing plant management and they confirmed that we were welcome to visit the site where I stayed several months during 1994 & 1995. We have been warmly greeted by the management and the security. The company organised a small tour for us so we can again visited the buildings were Support Command was based in 1994 and 1995. We highly appreciated this kindly organised meeting.