BOSNIA: SPANISH TROOPS TO RESTORE WRECKED SQUARE IN CITY OF MOSTAR

(13 Oct 1996) Spanish/Nat

Spanish peacekeeping troops are set on leaving their mark in Bosnia.

They're restoring a wrecked square in the war-ravaged city of Mostar in the image of their homeland.

It's an attempt to ensure that a corner of Bosnia remains forever Spain.

This is where some of the fiercest fighting took place between Mostar's Muslim and Croat inhabitants in 1993.

The centre of the city was almost completely destroyed in the fighting.

Over the past few weeks Spanish soldiers have been rebuilding a new square here.

Mostar's civil authorities have named it "Trg Espana" -- Spanish Square -- in recognition of the important role Spanish troops have played in keeping the peace in and around the city.

And the Spaniards have been given a free hand in designing what is likely to be an important public space.

The senior Spanish officer in Bosnia, General Luis Carvajal, wanted to see for himself the lamps which had been shipped in specially from Spain.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
But undoubtedly we need to improve this square because it's Spain's image within the city. So I asked the authorities in this city for authorisation to change the monument's position a little and I asked the Spanish government to send me these lamps which are from the 17th century, just like the ones on the streets of Madrid to give the square a Spanish touch.
SUPER CAPTION: General Luis Carvajal

A monument to Spain's peacekeeping work in Bosnia has pride of place in the centre of the square.

Engraved on a marble plaque are the names of 17 Spanish soldiers who lost their lives while serving here.

The officer in charge of the building operations says he hopes the square will be seen as a symbol of renewal.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
Well, a new building in the middle of all these ruins does sound a little strange but perhaps it symbolises what could be the beginning of the reconstruction of the city of Mostar.
SUPER CAPTION: Major Narciso Cayetano, engineer responsible for building square

Since the fighting ended in Bosnia, Spanish troops stationed in the Mostar area have turned their efforts to humanitarian work.

The soldiers spend as much time organising local events as they do on guard duty.

Giving away mountain bikes to local youngsters is one of the many acts of generosity which has made the community warm to them.

The bicycles were bought by the soldiers themselves, as were these shoes.

But it could end up by being the Spanish culture the troops brought with them that's their most enduring testament.

These girls have already learned how to do a Spanish dance.

And it may well be that local Bosnians will be eating Spanish food for years to come.

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