By Cpl Jonathan Garland

WORKING unarmed, in small groups, well away from any other Australians in an operational area – a job for special forces, perhaps?

This is the job description of the United Nations Military Observer.

Maj John Fenwick, an UNMO in East Timor, said the job statement was to observe, monitor and report on what is happening in the country.

Maj Fenwick works in the Ainaro region with two other UNMOs, one from Pakistan and one from Thailand.

“There are no other UNMOs within cooee – certainly a good 200km – and we live within in the village, trying to become part of the community,” he said.

As a part of the community, they become aware of conditions for the people, likely militia intentions in the area and issues of local politically motivated groups.

A pilot by trade, Maj Fenwick said he had never done anything that allowed him the level of autonomy he currently enjoyed.
“Living in the community is an experience – I long for English conversation from time to time.

“But it’s incredibly challenging and quite rewarding when you do get your message across, you get a feeling for what these people are like and when you feel you’re contributing to a stable situation following the UN departure.”

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