EUFOR Althea. When an officer slips up and blackmails information
(B2) The death of a soldier in the EUFOR operation seems to put everyone on the hot coals. We asked for confirmation from the press officer of the mission. His answer was most surprising
Having received the information through various channels, including the most official way possible (the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence), we of course sought to confirm the information and obtain details.
A shooting death in a European base is not common. When, in addition, it occurs on the very day of the visit of the president of the military committee on the spot, there is reason to wonder.
So we wrote a first paper (read: Bulgarian soldier found dead by firearm in Camp Butmir), then updated with information on a team from the Bulgarian prosecutor's office seconded on site.
His only response (Saturday, after a few hours) was to ask who the editor of B2 was.
“As it cannot be found on your website, can I ask who the editor of B2 is? »
Then, in an incendiary email, two days later, Monday (November 2), he goes wild and puts a 'blackout' on B2. This results in a very clear denial of information. I'll leave the email to you.
We are responding to you with disappointment about your questions about the death of a Bulgarian soldier, your belittling comments about EUFOR in the B2 article on the same issue and for your manner in answering our simple request for information below. The information you sought and the way you asked questions about the death were insensitive and unprofessional. A death of this nature is saddening for all of us in this mission. We view it as a national matter for the country involved and we respect the privacy of them in how they choose to deal with it. That is why EUFOR did not publicly release any information. We do not appreciate the wording of the following extract of your article 'The operation, which nevertheless loves to publish photos of all its events, even the most insignificant (medal ceremony, etc.), has not made any communication on the subject.' Referring to the awarding of the CSDP medal to members of European military personnel who give their time, effort and dedication to help BiH as 'insignificant' shows a lack of respect for what EUFOR does and to military personnel who serve here. Your conduct, and that of B2, has been extremely unprofessional and an example of a news agency trying to sensationalise something to attract readers. Please do not expect us to be forthcoming or to have co-operation with B2 going forward based on this and the overly confrontational tone of the below mail to a simple request for information.
Until further notice, it would be good for the European and NATO authorities — since this operation is the only one placed under the scope of the Berlin Plus agreements, commanded from the Shape by a general officer (French) and on the spot by an Austrian general, to remind the soldiers in charge of information that they are not in charge of censorship of the freedom of the press, but of answering the legitimate questions which the press asks themselves.
Since this blog exists, it's been a long time since we received such a threatening missive. Is it the fact that the operation is led on the spot by General Plazter, a former militant of the FPÖ, the freedom party, classified on the extreme right of the political spectrum (read: FPÖ activist takes over EUFOR Althea)? Is this death not as simple or natural as it is? Is nervousness spreading through the ranks of the military when the renewal of the operation's mandate is on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council (this Wednesday, November 3)? You can ask a lot of questions.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
