Norwegian UNIFIL Troops Have Built Strong Ties With South Lebanon

By Marilyn Raschka

At last, the answer to the age-old question of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. First, find Lebanon on an average size globe. From Beirut move south, almost to the Lebanese-Israeli border, then turn east almost to the Syrian border. You're close enough. Put in your pin.

You are now in the part of Lebanon that is under the U.N. mandate of 800 Norwegian troops, part of a 5,000 man and woman peacekeeping force called UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). The other participating countries are Sweden, Nepal, Ghana, Finland, France, Italy, Ireland and Fiji.

UNIFIL was created in March 1978 as part of U.N. Resolution 425, in response to Israel's first full-fledged invasion of Lebanon. Its mandate was and still is a tall order: confirm the withdrawal of Israeli troops from south Lebanon, assist the Lebanese government in reinstating authority in the south, and insure the safety of the Lebanese in the mandated area. Not only did Israel refuse to withdraw its forces, but in 1985 it claimed the area it then occupied as a "security zone." Consequently the Lebanese army has not been able to carry out its part of the resolution.

UNIFIL's major military responsibility through the years has been to keep armed elements from moving through its mandate areas. Armed elements include the Israelis, their client militia the "South Lebanon Army" (SLA), and, from the Lebanese side, the various resistance groups who attempt infiltration into Israel. Alongside that dangerous and demanding responsibility is the role of UNIFIL personnel as humanitarians.

Among these peacekeepers, the Norwegians are in line for kudos with capitals. Unlike the other battalions in UNIFIL, whose areas of mandate border Israeli-occupied territory, the Norwegian battalion (NORBATT) is located entirely within the 410 square miles of Israeli-held territory. And like all guardian angels, these young, far-from-home Norwegians take their work very seriously.

But you hear no complaints. The 75 square kilometers of rugged terrain the NORBATT controls looks much like Norway. As for the ferocious winter storms, "The more it snows, the more it looks like home," the Norwegian soldiers say.

When Norwegian diplomats in Lebanon proudly say that "Norway responds to the needs of the people" of south Lebanon, they have plenty of proof to back it up. Although the first year of UNIFIL's mandate required the setting up of a huge military infrastructure, the need for emergency humanitarian aid among the 18,000 Lebanese in NORBATT's area was quickly recognized.

Long neglected by the Beirut government which, since 1975, had been tottering under the strain of civil war, the south had few reserves to fall back on when the Israelis invaded in 1978.

The Norwegian response was immediate. In rapid order mines were cleared and power restored. Then schools and churches were repaired, village water systems restored, and families whose homes and livelihoods had been lost were given individualized help. Back then no budget existed for humanitarian work, so the men pitched in from their own pockets and squeezed the battalion's personal services budget.

By 1980 NORBATT moved from what it calls its emergency phase into its development phase. This incuded a health program in which soldiers even distributed through the schools crates of toothbrushes donated by a Norwegian factory. A vocational center was established to train plumbers, electricians and mechanics.

Whenever possible the Lebanese themselves were included in planning and executing the projects. Village teams helped NORBATT personnel to asphalt roads which had been prepared with UNIFIL's heavy equipment. Throughout, the Norwegians took utmost care to avoid offending sectarian sensitivities and jealousies.

All-Around Goodwill

Good deeds and political correctness have paid off. Things got done, and provided opportunities for Lebanese residents to become involved in serving their communities. They became less likely to fall prey to recruiters from the SLA. The all-around goodwill, in turn, made the Norwegian soldiers feel safe. "Peacekeepers must have the confidence of the people so they reject the 'others' and support you," summed up a Norwegian diplomat with extensive Middle East experience.

He went on to explain the love of the soldiers for Lebanon. "Lebanon reminds them of what life was like in the time of their grandparents—simple middle-class families with community spirit. I think they [NORBATT] are trying to recreate in Lebanon a society like the one they miss from home."

Their Scandinavian values found a perfect match in the extraordinary hospitality and warm-heartedness of the Lebanese. It seemed that a Norwegian-Lebanese mini-utopia was being created—until 1982, when Israel again invaded Lebanon and destroyed everything.

By 1994, the relatively tiny humanitarian aid budgets of the early days had climbed to $40,000. Well-digging, veterinarian services, dental clinics and garbage disposal, medical aid and assistance to all schools in the battalion's area make their demands on the funds.

But assistance at the personal and individual level continues. Last year a NORBATT major personally took on the project of replacing the shell-damaged roof of a church by soliticiting funds from his home parish. He also got the bells working again, and he himself painted the saints on the altar walls.

Local problems are few, and those that arise are often comical. One energetic officer planted a rose garden in front of the simple building where villagers brought their problems to the Norwegian soldiers. New on the job, he didn't realize that among the most frequent visitors were herdsmen who brought their sick goats to see the veterinarian. While sick goats were being treated, the others kept busy—eating the roses.

At present, NORBATT personnel are looking down the road toward peace, and the end of their mandate. Before they go, they want to leave projects for the Lebanese to continue and for themselves to come back to see someday. Environmental issues rate high with the Norwegians, and organizing a garbage collection/disposal system is on the books for 1995. Local democracy was recently helped along by a $3,700 NORBATT grant to renovate the town council building.

As with all UNIFIL soldiers, the Norwegians serve a basic six-month tour. Most put in for a second six. Some return with UNIFIL years later to see "what the place looks like today." All say that when peace comes to the region they want to bring their families and friends to Lebanon, "to show them this beautiful country." Astounding as it seems, through the 17 years UNIFIL has existed, 35,000 Norwegians have served, lived and, in many cases, fallen in love with Lebanon.

Sometimes that love is reciprocated. A number of soldiers have taken a little bit of Lebanon home with them when their tours of duty ended. They have married Lebanese girls. The Norwegians have celebrated more such weddings than any other UNIFIL battalion. On such heady occasions, the 800 Norwegian angels take time off to dance.

Marilyn Raschka is a free-lance writer who recently has returned to the Midwest after living for many years in Beirut.