Let down by his country
As a medical orderly for the UN in Croatia in 1992, Paul Smines was taken hostage, accused of espionage and threatened with execution. After his release he received no offer of support or de-briefing and had to sign a statement saying that he had no problems. But problems came later in the form of nightmares and attempted suicide. Life had become a perpetual war zone. Who should be taking care of Norwegians who are traumatised on peace missions? Neither the armed forces nor health authorities have shown the ability or the will to help. The best medicine is to go back out to war.
Photo: Mauricio Pavez, Media Centre, Bergen University College.
As a medical orderly for the UN in Croatia in 1992, Paul Smines was taken hostage, accused of espionage and threatened with execution. After his release he received no offer of support or de-briefing and had to sign a statement saying that he had no problems. But problems came later in the form of nightmares and attempted suicide. Life had become a perpetual war zone. Who should be taking care of Norwegians who are traumatised on peace missions? Neither the armed forces nor health authorities have shown the ability or the will to help. The best medicine is to go back out to war.
Photo: Mauricio Pavez, Media Centre, Bergen University College.