1 01:00:07,041 --> 01:00:09,375 Welcome to The Recalibrated. I'm your 2 01:00:09,375 --> 01:00:11,000 host, Meade Kincke, and 3 01:00:11,000 --> 01:00:11,958 I'm here to take us through 4 01:00:11,958 --> 01:00:13,541 the journey of being in the service, 5 01:00:14,041 --> 01:00:15,416 transitioning out, and 6 01:00:15,416 --> 01:00:16,625 what today looks like. 7 01:00:17,041 --> 01:00:19,875 Our guest, Vedran Rzehak, has served over 8 01:00:19,875 --> 01:00:21,416 20 years as a military 9 01:00:21,416 --> 01:00:23,541 liaison and support officer. 10 01:00:24,708 --> 01:00:26,416 Operating at the intersection of 11 01:00:26,416 --> 01:00:27,833 intelligence, security, 12 01:00:27,833 --> 01:00:30,041 and international diplomacy, 13 01:00:30,666 --> 01:00:34,208 he has worked alongside the UN, EU, U4, 14 01:00:34,208 --> 01:00:36,625 and other international partners. 15 01:00:37,708 --> 01:00:40,166 Currently, a military intelligence officer 16 01:00:40,166 --> 01:00:41,416 with the Ministry of 17 01:00:41,416 --> 01:00:43,625 Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 18 01:00:44,291 --> 01:00:47,500 Vedran supports multinational peace and 19 01:00:47,500 --> 01:00:50,083 development missions, all in politically 20 01:00:50,083 --> 01:00:52,250 sensitive, high-risk environments, 21 01:00:52,833 --> 01:00:55,166 where discretion and precision matter. 22 01:00:56,041 --> 01:00:57,750 Vedran, welcome to the show. 23 01:00:58,583 --> 01:01:00,125 Glad to be here, sir. 24 01:01:01,208 --> 01:01:04,208 Glad to have you. So let's just get into 25 01:01:04,208 --> 01:01:05,833 it. Let's start with the why. 26 01:01:06,708 --> 01:01:08,791 Why were you drawn to 27 01:01:08,791 --> 01:01:09,958 military intelligence? 28 01:01:11,416 --> 01:01:13,666 Well, my story begun. I 29 01:01:13,666 --> 01:01:15,666 was a refugee in Croatia. 30 01:01:16,625 --> 01:01:18,958 My mother got killed in August 1992. 31 01:01:20,333 --> 01:01:23,291 And I started my eighth grade in school 32 01:01:23,291 --> 01:01:25,833 in Croatia, Rijeka. I was a 33 01:01:25,833 --> 01:01:27,125 refugee with family there. 34 01:01:27,125 --> 01:01:29,000 A couple of my aunts 35 01:01:29,000 --> 01:01:31,041 from Sarajevo were with me. 36 01:01:31,750 --> 01:01:34,166 So it all really started with some kids 37 01:01:34,166 --> 01:01:38,250 actually going to UK for six months to 38 01:01:38,250 --> 01:01:40,708 refine their English language skills. 39 01:01:41,666 --> 01:01:43,583 And I couldn't return. There was a 40 01:01:43,583 --> 01:01:46,583 problem with my passport. So six months 41 01:01:47,375 --> 01:01:49,083 turned into six years. 42 01:01:50,291 --> 01:01:53,250 That's it. They just got the amount of 43 01:01:53,250 --> 01:01:54,875 days missed. It was a decimal point. 44 01:01:55,625 --> 01:01:58,250 Yeah, sounds about right. 45 01:01:59,541 --> 01:02:04,166 So basically I was smuggled into UK with 46 01:02:05,541 --> 01:02:09,541 I think the intention was for me to get a 47 01:02:09,541 --> 01:02:13,875 good education and serve my purpose. 48 01:02:15,041 --> 01:02:17,666 So back in 99 there was a 49 01:02:17,666 --> 01:02:20,791 big need for translators. 50 01:02:21,458 --> 01:02:24,041 Therefore I got deployed with a 51 01:02:25,083 --> 01:02:27,791 just got sent back to Bosnia. 52 01:02:28,291 --> 01:02:29,125 Started translating. 53 01:02:29,583 --> 01:02:31,125 They needed translators. 54 01:02:31,833 --> 01:02:34,375 Unfortunately, that market has been 55 01:02:34,375 --> 01:02:36,000 killed. That job 56 01:02:36,000 --> 01:02:37,583 trade has been killed off 57 01:02:38,208 --> 01:02:42,458 by young people claiming their 58 01:02:42,458 --> 01:02:43,791 translators and with 59 01:02:43,791 --> 01:02:46,208 Google Translate and other 60 01:02:46,875 --> 01:02:50,166 other apps that are 61 01:02:50,166 --> 01:02:51,916 available for translation. So 62 01:02:52,333 --> 01:02:54,291 you know having other skills 63 01:02:54,291 --> 01:02:56,583 does matter and it does help. 64 01:02:58,416 --> 01:02:59,041 I understand. 65 01:03:00,375 --> 01:03:02,500 So let's start with kind of humble 66 01:03:02,500 --> 01:03:03,166 beginnings. You've 67 01:03:03,166 --> 01:03:04,625 touched on it a bit already, but 68 01:03:05,291 --> 01:03:07,041 how did you end up being an executive 69 01:03:07,041 --> 01:03:09,166 assistant for the MOD for 70 01:03:09,166 --> 01:03:10,083 the Ministry of Defence? 71 01:03:12,000 --> 01:03:17,041 Well, my career started on a project. 72 01:03:17,041 --> 01:03:21,375 I met, I assisted through some 73 01:03:23,375 --> 01:03:27,750 chance. I met a project manager and a UK 74 01:03:27,750 --> 01:03:31,458 psychiatrist that were doing a project, 75 01:03:32,000 --> 01:03:34,583 Tempest Mental Health and 76 01:03:34,583 --> 01:03:36,000 Community it was called. 77 01:03:36,791 --> 01:03:40,666 So I started translating at that project 78 01:03:40,666 --> 01:03:43,625 and that's how my career started. 79 01:03:44,333 --> 01:03:47,291 The follow up was TIPS project, which was 80 01:03:47,291 --> 01:03:54,250 a software specifications done by the 81 01:03:54,416 --> 01:03:56,708 subcontractor company, which was a local 82 01:03:56,708 --> 01:03:58,416 company and they needed to 83 01:03:58,416 --> 01:04:00,416 translate for Siemens, which was 84 01:04:01,541 --> 01:04:05,625 the main contractor for that project. So 85 01:04:05,625 --> 01:04:06,666 this was all about 86 01:04:06,666 --> 01:04:10,250 new IDs being regulated 87 01:04:11,208 --> 01:04:12,500 and all the data that comes 88 01:04:12,500 --> 01:04:15,833 with it. New IDs like ID cards, 89 01:04:16,041 --> 01:04:19,416 driving licenses and passports. So it was 90 01:04:19,416 --> 01:04:22,333 all unified and it was a huge project 91 01:04:22,583 --> 01:04:27,583 monitored by OHR, which is still here, 92 01:04:28,083 --> 01:04:28,666 Office of High 93 01:04:28,666 --> 01:04:30,708 Representative for those that don't know. 94 01:04:31,416 --> 01:04:35,833 So you can Google it really. And that's 95 01:04:35,833 --> 01:04:37,833 it. I mean, what I must 96 01:04:37,833 --> 01:04:40,333 say, and this is really true, 97 01:04:41,458 --> 01:04:44,208 nothing, absolutely no training in the 98 01:04:44,208 --> 01:04:47,500 world can prepare you for what you 99 01:04:47,500 --> 01:04:49,916 come to witness in 100 01:04:49,916 --> 01:04:51,083 Bosnia and Herzegovina. 101 01:04:52,416 --> 01:04:56,500 Yeah. I think the phrase war torn, 102 01:04:57,291 --> 01:04:58,791 especially going from the 103 01:04:58,791 --> 01:05:01,333 1980s is an understatement. 104 01:05:02,833 --> 01:05:07,791 The thing is politicians rely on ethnic 105 01:05:10,416 --> 01:05:11,708 ethnic 106 01:05:12,000 --> 01:05:13,958 Turmoil, may be the word? 107 01:05:13,958 --> 01:05:17,541 Yeah. I mean, they rely on the 108 01:05:17,541 --> 01:05:18,791 support, ethnic support 109 01:05:18,791 --> 01:05:21,416 by their pool of voters. So 110 01:05:22,000 --> 01:05:24,916 Muslims tend to Muslims, Kratz as 111 01:05:24,916 --> 01:05:28,500 Catholics tend to Kratz and Serbs as 112 01:05:28,500 --> 01:05:30,375 Orthodox tend to Serbs. 113 01:05:31,041 --> 01:05:34,458 So they are relying on their pool of 114 01:05:34,458 --> 01:05:38,583 voters and it's quite a 115 01:05:38,583 --> 01:05:41,708 dire situation. I mean, 116 01:05:41,708 --> 01:05:44,750 absolutely nothing, absolutely no 117 01:05:44,750 --> 01:05:47,375 training can prepare you for 118 01:05:47,375 --> 01:05:49,333 what you are actually faced with 119 01:05:49,666 --> 01:05:54,666 in Bosnia as a political environment. So 120 01:05:54,666 --> 01:05:58,583 that's basically my way of saying, 121 01:06:00,375 --> 01:06:03,458 I have no intentions of actually being a 122 01:06:03,458 --> 01:06:06,541 politician until the 123 01:06:06,541 --> 01:06:07,833 system changes. I mean, 124 01:06:08,625 --> 01:06:12,625 it's just, it would be hypocritical of me 125 01:06:12,625 --> 01:06:14,333 to actually start a 126 01:06:14,333 --> 01:06:16,125 political career in this. 127 01:06:16,125 --> 01:06:17,791 You're not planning on running for office 128 01:06:17,791 --> 01:06:18,750 this winter. 129 01:06:21,500 --> 01:06:22,375 Okay, fair enough. 130 01:06:23,041 --> 01:06:25,916 Basically, the fact is Dayton, sorry, 131 01:06:26,875 --> 01:06:29,583 Dayton peace agreement is 132 01:06:29,583 --> 01:06:31,250 still something that everyone 133 01:06:32,458 --> 01:06:36,416 turns back on and goes by. And that, 134 01:06:36,833 --> 01:06:40,416 that agreement cemented what 135 01:06:40,416 --> 01:06:44,291 is currently happening now. 136 01:06:44,875 --> 01:06:47,750 And it needs to be changed, but for 137 01:06:47,750 --> 01:06:49,458 something to change, there 138 01:06:49,458 --> 01:06:51,125 needs to be a political will. 139 01:06:51,625 --> 01:06:54,833 And there is no will to actually change 140 01:06:54,833 --> 01:06:55,958 the current situation 141 01:06:55,958 --> 01:06:57,250 because I think everybody's 142 01:06:57,416 --> 01:06:59,333 happy with a lot of free money we're 143 01:06:59,333 --> 01:07:01,875 getting. Just kind of at a 144 01:07:01,875 --> 01:07:03,291 standstill, a lockstep at the 145 01:07:03,291 --> 01:07:06,041 moment and nothing really. Absolutely, 146 01:07:06,458 --> 01:07:09,416 absolutely. I understand. I 147 01:07:09,416 --> 01:07:12,458 do. So I had a brief, I wasn't, 148 01:07:12,791 --> 01:07:18,583 I wasn't either brief stint in 149 01:07:18,583 --> 01:07:22,375 Afghanistan with the Dutch forces. That 150 01:07:22,375 --> 01:07:26,208 wasn't very, very, very well. 151 01:07:26,666 --> 01:07:32,041 That didn't go very well. But it's that 152 01:07:32,041 --> 01:07:32,541 that capital 153 01:07:32,541 --> 01:07:34,541 catapulted. I went from Captain to 154 01:07:35,208 --> 01:07:38,041 Lieutenant Colonel in the space of a 155 01:07:38,041 --> 01:07:41,875 month. So, whoa. Okay. That 156 01:07:41,875 --> 01:07:43,291 wasn't fun at all, actually. 157 01:07:44,416 --> 01:07:47,625 Was that like, were you were you informed 158 01:07:47,625 --> 01:07:49,000 about this? Or they were just like, 159 01:07:49,500 --> 01:07:51,416 here's the new uniform. You go and do 160 01:07:51,416 --> 01:07:53,416 there is no uniform. I mean, 161 01:07:53,875 --> 01:07:55,916 I wear a suit and I wear my 162 01:07:55,916 --> 01:07:58,583 tactical 5.11 jacket all the time, 163 01:07:58,583 --> 01:08:01,541 most of the time. So, you know, I don't 164 01:08:01,541 --> 01:08:03,416 have a fancy uniform, 165 01:08:03,666 --> 01:08:07,916 like, like the officers in UK and US, you 166 01:08:07,916 --> 01:08:10,041 know, we, it's just, you 167 01:08:10,041 --> 01:08:11,125 know, it's not supported 168 01:08:12,208 --> 01:08:16,250 over here. So, you know, some people have 169 01:08:16,250 --> 01:08:17,458 some people wear uniforms, 170 01:08:17,666 --> 01:08:19,291 you know, some people don't. 171 01:08:19,916 --> 01:08:23,583 I totally understand. Oh, goodness. So, I 172 01:08:23,583 --> 01:08:24,958 mean, that sounds like a bit of a 173 01:08:24,958 --> 01:08:26,250 whirlwind. I'm curious 174 01:08:26,291 --> 01:08:29,083 with all of these, the touches of story, 175 01:08:29,541 --> 01:08:32,291 what's something that with, you know, 176 01:08:32,291 --> 01:08:32,916 being in Afghanistan 177 01:08:33,208 --> 01:08:35,791 and all wonderful places around the 178 01:08:35,791 --> 01:08:37,583 world, what's something that you 179 01:08:37,583 --> 01:08:39,625 experienced or witnessed that 180 01:08:39,916 --> 01:08:42,416 you went, oh, goodness, I'm so glad like 181 01:08:42,416 --> 01:08:43,625 a smartphone was not 182 01:08:43,625 --> 01:08:45,083 around. Well, the worst 183 01:08:45,125 --> 01:08:48,250 experience from Afghanistan was an 184 01:08:48,250 --> 01:08:53,208 American coming right at my tent. I mean, 185 01:08:53,208 --> 01:08:55,000 I was actually in a tent 186 01:08:55,208 --> 01:09:01,333 10 meters from the HQ and a US worker 187 01:09:01,333 --> 01:09:03,333 with some company, you 188 01:09:03,333 --> 01:09:04,750 know, for cleaning or whatever, 189 01:09:04,750 --> 01:09:10,250 they were meant to clean the... Subcontractor? 190 01:09:10,250 --> 01:09:16,083 clean the air conditioning. Oh, gotcha. It's like an 191 01:09:16,083 --> 01:09:17,666 Afghani guy asking me, 192 01:09:17,750 --> 01:09:21,250 you know, directly, where are the HQ? And 193 01:09:21,250 --> 01:09:22,875 I'm like two miles that 194 01:09:22,875 --> 01:09:25,625 way. And we're like 10 meters 195 01:09:25,750 --> 01:09:27,958 away from the HQ. And this is kind of 196 01:09:27,958 --> 01:09:29,791 hard, you know, a huge air 197 01:09:29,791 --> 01:09:31,583 base, you know, so that was, 198 01:09:32,000 --> 01:09:35,000 you know, that was a crazy experience. 199 01:09:35,000 --> 01:09:36,541 I'm like, you know, do you vet these 200 01:09:36,541 --> 01:09:37,958 people at all? And the 201 01:09:38,166 --> 01:09:41,625 problem is, we got hit that night, we got 202 01:09:41,625 --> 01:09:43,500 hit two miles that way, 203 01:09:43,500 --> 01:09:45,500 you know, there was a mortar 204 01:09:45,666 --> 01:09:50,083 actually activated. So you know, that was 205 01:09:50,083 --> 01:09:51,333 that wasn't a nice 206 01:09:51,333 --> 01:09:54,041 experience whatsoever. Yeah. I mean, 207 01:09:54,541 --> 01:09:57,583 I understand Afghanistan has problems 208 01:09:57,583 --> 01:09:59,791 with with vetting people. But 209 01:09:59,791 --> 01:10:01,250 if you if you actually going 210 01:10:01,250 --> 01:10:04,125 to employ people with you, you need to 211 01:10:04,125 --> 01:10:05,250 check that check out their 212 01:10:05,250 --> 01:10:07,000 background. And basically, 213 01:10:07,458 --> 01:10:11,041 Only a little bit! You know, affiliation with 214 01:10:11,041 --> 01:10:12,791 the local with the locals. 215 01:10:13,708 --> 01:10:14,750 So, you know, that wasn't 216 01:10:14,791 --> 01:10:17,500 a very nice experience whatsoever. 217 01:10:17,500 --> 01:10:18,875 Now I've talked about this a 218 01:10:18,875 --> 01:10:20,875 lot. Like, people talk about 219 01:10:20,875 --> 01:10:23,000 what's dangerous, what's not, oh, this is 220 01:10:23,000 --> 01:10:24,416 a threat. And I go, there is 221 01:10:24,416 --> 01:10:26,583 nothing more threatening than 222 01:10:26,583 --> 01:10:28,583 it's like a really, really mobile, well 223 01:10:28,583 --> 01:10:29,875 trained three man mortar 224 01:10:29,875 --> 01:10:31,625 team, because by the time it's 225 01:10:31,625 --> 01:10:34,166 in, they're out, you know, that's it, 226 01:10:34,166 --> 01:10:36,166 that's the whole play. And, 227 01:10:36,166 --> 01:10:38,375 that's, that's just why like, 228 01:10:38,375 --> 01:10:39,750 you must have felt like you were like on 229 01:10:39,750 --> 01:10:41,000 a prank show, like candid 230 01:10:41,000 --> 01:10:42,875 camera where you go like, 231 01:10:42,875 --> 01:10:44,666 how did you even get here? No, I couldn't believe it. 232 01:10:44,666 --> 01:10:46,333 I couldn't believe the question and the 233 01:10:46,333 --> 01:10:47,916 cheek of it, you know, 234 01:10:48,250 --> 01:10:51,833 where is the HQ? I mean, you know... 235 01:10:53,041 --> 01:10:54,500 Your head just is on fire. 236 01:10:54,875 --> 01:10:58,916 On an Air Force base with an American 237 01:10:58,916 --> 01:11:01,375 citizen. And you're asking 238 01:11:01,375 --> 01:11:03,666 a person within that base, 239 01:11:04,125 --> 01:11:07,250 where's the HQ? I mean, the cheek of it, 240 01:11:07,250 --> 01:11:08,666 I couldn't believe it. 241 01:11:08,666 --> 01:11:14,083 So here's the thing. My NDAs forbid me, 242 01:11:14,250 --> 01:11:16,583 my non-disclosure agreements forbid me 243 01:11:16,583 --> 01:11:18,333 talking in details. 244 01:11:18,333 --> 01:11:21,750 But the thing is that I'm 245 01:11:22,208 --> 01:11:24,833 very proud to have done 246 01:11:24,833 --> 01:11:27,416 is actually use, I used 247 01:11:29,208 --> 01:11:33,625 Intel that was available for providing 248 01:11:33,625 --> 01:11:37,291 Google, Google Earth 249 01:11:37,291 --> 01:11:41,583 images of, of places that were 250 01:11:42,541 --> 01:11:47,125 that should be of interest. And, you 251 01:11:47,125 --> 01:11:49,291 know, so, you know, 252 01:11:49,291 --> 01:11:50,583 it's, it's like, you know, 253 01:11:50,875 --> 01:11:52,541 according to the Intel that was 254 01:11:52,541 --> 01:11:56,250 available, I was actually 255 01:11:56,250 --> 01:12:01,166 taking Google Earth photos of 256 01:12:02,250 --> 01:12:06,458 sites that made and actually devising on 257 01:12:06,458 --> 01:12:07,416 the course of action 258 01:12:07,416 --> 01:12:09,583 that that was meant to take. 259 01:12:10,333 --> 01:12:12,916 So, you know, not many people know that. 260 01:12:13,583 --> 01:12:15,333 So there you are. That's the first time 261 01:12:15,833 --> 01:12:19,000 I have actually spoken about this. Well, 262 01:12:19,000 --> 01:12:21,125 there we go. I love that you're sharing. 263 01:12:22,583 --> 01:12:25,291 So I know you kind of sort of stepped 264 01:12:25,291 --> 01:12:26,291 away from the MOD. 265 01:12:27,041 --> 01:12:28,416 Like, what, what drove that, 266 01:12:28,416 --> 01:12:30,541 that decision to begin with? Well, the 267 01:12:30,541 --> 01:12:33,500 thing is to be, to join the, 268 01:12:34,083 --> 01:12:37,666 to join the UK military or, you know, 269 01:12:37,916 --> 01:12:40,250 MI6, you know, you 270 01:12:40,250 --> 01:12:42,250 need to be a UK citizen. 271 01:12:43,750 --> 01:12:46,375 So that's one thing that I have a, I have 272 01:12:46,375 --> 01:12:47,458 a problem with. I am 273 01:12:47,458 --> 01:12:49,083 not a UK citizen. I didn't 274 01:12:49,083 --> 01:12:52,916 get a UK citizenship. Still, I mean, 275 01:12:53,166 --> 01:12:54,000 Mohammed Al Faid is 276 01:12:54,000 --> 01:12:55,625 still waiting and he's like, 277 01:12:56,041 --> 01:12:59,375 he's got Harrods under his name. So, you 278 01:12:59,375 --> 01:13:01,750 know, actually, King 279 01:13:01,750 --> 01:13:03,583 Charles would need to sign my 280 01:13:04,000 --> 01:13:06,750 citizenship papers. So I don't think 281 01:13:06,750 --> 01:13:07,458 that's going to happen 282 01:13:07,458 --> 01:13:10,166 anytime soon. So there you are. 283 01:13:10,166 --> 01:13:11,541 you never know, you never know 284 01:13:11,541 --> 01:13:14,958 But, you know, I am proud to have 285 01:13:14,958 --> 01:13:19,458 acquired the culture and, 286 01:13:19,458 --> 01:13:23,875 and the mindset of British 287 01:13:25,875 --> 01:13:28,666 British way of thinking, you know, so I'm 288 01:13:28,666 --> 01:13:32,208 actually very happy about that. And I'm 289 01:13:32,208 --> 01:13:33,416 very grateful for the 290 01:13:33,416 --> 01:13:35,666 opportunity, opportunities that I was 291 01:13:35,666 --> 01:13:38,125 given. I've been given a very good 292 01:13:38,125 --> 01:13:41,000 education. I've been given 293 01:13:41,041 --> 01:13:44,583 a head start on my career. And that was 294 01:13:44,583 --> 01:13:45,458 all good. You know, I'm 295 01:13:45,458 --> 01:13:47,333 very happy. And I remain 296 01:13:47,666 --> 01:13:52,541 a royal servant to his majesty, the King. 297 01:13:53,291 --> 01:13:57,916 I love it. So after having 298 01:13:57,916 --> 01:13:59,958 kind of popped out and popped 299 01:14:00,000 --> 01:14:03,166 back in, what, what drove the desire to 300 01:14:03,166 --> 01:14:04,958 get back into the Ministry of Defense? 301 01:14:06,875 --> 01:14:09,208 To be honest with you, I mean, I was 302 01:14:09,208 --> 01:14:10,750 actually very happy 303 01:14:10,750 --> 01:14:17,041 working, you know, very, you know, 304 01:14:17,041 --> 01:14:22,541 I wasn't exposing myself through Ministry 305 01:14:22,541 --> 01:14:23,958 of Interior, which is 306 01:14:23,958 --> 01:14:26,041 the police, you know, 307 01:14:26,041 --> 01:14:29,333 Ministry of Interior is the police in 308 01:14:29,333 --> 01:14:31,666 Bosnia. That's the, that's 309 01:14:31,666 --> 01:14:32,833 the Ministry that covers the 310 01:14:32,833 --> 01:14:35,541 police matters. So, you know, through 311 01:14:35,541 --> 01:14:38,125 that, I was actually 312 01:14:38,125 --> 01:14:41,000 providing support for the UK and, 313 01:14:41,375 --> 01:14:44,583 and the US Embassy in close protection detail 314 01:14:44,583 --> 01:14:46,500 when needed. I mean, 315 01:14:46,500 --> 01:14:49,041 these, these are, you know, 316 01:14:49,916 --> 01:14:51,583 private outings, you know, when people 317 01:14:51,583 --> 01:14:52,833 actually decide to go 318 01:14:52,833 --> 01:14:55,041 privately to a pub or restaurant, 319 01:14:56,166 --> 01:14:59,041 and they don't need the guys with 320 01:14:59,041 --> 01:15:00,583 earpieces and stuff like 321 01:15:00,583 --> 01:15:02,833 that. So to be honest with you, 322 01:15:02,833 --> 01:15:06,958 I don't carry a weapon. The weapon 323 01:15:06,958 --> 01:15:08,708 usually stays locked in 324 01:15:08,708 --> 01:15:10,541 the vault in the embassy. 325 01:15:10,750 --> 01:15:14,958 And people that know the code for it can 326 01:15:14,958 --> 01:15:18,750 come within a blink of 327 01:15:18,750 --> 01:15:21,125 an eye. So, you know, 328 01:15:22,000 --> 01:15:28,166 I learned through my experience, that's 329 01:15:31,291 --> 01:15:34,041 how to, how to, let me 330 01:15:34,041 --> 01:15:35,083 find the word. And that's, 331 01:15:35,750 --> 01:15:37,625 Oh, you're good. You're good. 332 01:15:37,625 --> 01:15:39,125 I learned through experience 333 01:15:39,125 --> 01:15:41,583 that downscaling, I mean, 334 01:15:41,666 --> 01:15:46,708 it's just, it's just like using your 335 01:15:46,708 --> 01:15:50,375 language skills. And just 336 01:15:50,375 --> 01:15:51,833 like kind of calming the 337 01:15:51,833 --> 01:15:54,291 situation. Always. I mean, people love to show 338 01:15:54,291 --> 01:15:57,375 off with their guns. But 339 01:15:57,375 --> 01:15:58,958 it takes a special kind of 340 01:15:59,000 --> 01:16:02,958 character to actually pull out a gun in 341 01:16:02,958 --> 01:16:05,541 a, in a crowded pub or 342 01:16:05,541 --> 01:16:07,916 restaurant. Yeah, intent, 343 01:16:08,083 --> 01:16:10,333 it counts for before everything. They 344 01:16:10,333 --> 01:16:14,791 like to flash it, but you know, yeah, 345 01:16:15,166 --> 01:16:16,416 mouthy is not action. 346 01:16:16,791 --> 01:16:18,250 That's not, that's right. That's right. 347 01:16:18,458 --> 01:16:20,416 And the thing is, and thing 348 01:16:20,416 --> 01:16:23,291 is, I learned by experience, 349 01:16:24,416 --> 01:16:28,458 that de-escalation is the best course of 350 01:16:28,458 --> 01:16:30,208 action to take, because, 351 01:16:30,208 --> 01:16:32,250 you know, there is no legal 352 01:16:33,666 --> 01:16:38,000 complications afterwards. Only once did I 353 01:16:38,000 --> 01:16:42,708 have such a, you know, I had to like, 354 01:16:43,458 --> 01:16:47,916 physically actually, take a physical 355 01:16:47,916 --> 01:16:50,291 course of action. And 356 01:16:50,291 --> 01:16:53,083 then we, then the police got 357 01:16:54,250 --> 01:17:01,875 Involved. They got involved. And, 358 01:17:01,875 --> 01:17:04,875 you know, that wasn't very 359 01:17:04,875 --> 01:17:07,291 nice, you know. And I managed to 360 01:17:07,291 --> 01:17:10,083 actually get out of that sticky situation 361 01:17:10,083 --> 01:17:11,208 with the subject still 362 01:17:11,208 --> 01:17:16,041 intact. So that was a successful 363 01:17:16,250 --> 01:17:22,125 story. But, you know, if, you know, by 364 01:17:22,125 --> 01:17:25,625 choice, involving the local law 365 01:17:25,625 --> 01:17:28,958 enforcement, by choice, 366 01:17:28,958 --> 01:17:32,125 is usually the best way to do it. 367 01:17:32,125 --> 01:17:34,083 Yeah well, I've said this a lot 368 01:17:34,083 --> 01:17:36,208 as well. And I, you've, you've 369 01:17:36,208 --> 01:17:38,541 banged on it perfectly. The, you know, 370 01:17:38,541 --> 01:17:40,708 the thing about you can't be 371 01:17:40,708 --> 01:17:42,708 involved in a fight if you're 372 01:17:42,750 --> 01:17:45,500 not there. And, you know, a picture 373 01:17:45,500 --> 01:17:46,833 walking down the street and 374 01:17:46,833 --> 01:17:48,416 like, there's kind of a man 375 01:17:48,416 --> 01:17:51,125 muttering to himself and he's, you know, 376 01:17:51,125 --> 01:17:52,208 looking very aggressive and 377 01:17:52,208 --> 01:17:53,208 all of that. And he's on the 378 01:17:53,208 --> 01:17:54,666 pavement. Well, if you cross to the other 379 01:17:54,666 --> 01:17:56,250 side of the road, you can't 380 01:17:56,250 --> 01:17:57,583 be involved. He's not there. 381 01:17:58,166 --> 01:18:00,000 And there's so much to be said about the 382 01:18:00,000 --> 01:18:01,666 kind of sophomoric, like 383 01:18:01,666 --> 01:18:03,250 the very young man's like, 384 01:18:03,250 --> 01:18:05,666 I want to get into a fight. But the 385 01:18:05,666 --> 01:18:07,333 problem is that young man has never 386 01:18:07,333 --> 01:18:08,375 really been in a fight 387 01:18:08,500 --> 01:18:10,625 because anyone who have will tell you 388 01:18:10,625 --> 01:18:12,833 it's not fun. There's 389 01:18:12,833 --> 01:18:14,541 nothing fun about being stabbed. 390 01:18:14,791 --> 01:18:16,541 There's nothing fun about having, you 391 01:18:16,541 --> 01:18:17,583 know, job broken or anything 392 01:18:17,583 --> 01:18:19,125 like that. And people don't 393 01:18:19,125 --> 01:18:22,458 necessarily think that through. And I 394 01:18:22,458 --> 01:18:24,791 think it's a vital thing to, to, to 395 01:18:24,791 --> 01:18:25,750 showcase that. And thank 396 01:18:25,750 --> 01:18:28,541 you for saying so. It's just kids, you 397 01:18:28,541 --> 01:18:29,833 know, it's kids that 398 01:18:29,833 --> 01:18:34,625 actually are, gets, get their, 399 01:18:35,583 --> 01:18:37,458 through their parents, they get, get, 400 01:18:38,000 --> 01:18:39,875 get, get the actual go ahead 401 01:18:39,875 --> 01:18:42,916 to, to have a firearms license. 402 01:18:43,541 --> 01:18:45,750 So, you know, here's the process to 403 01:18:45,750 --> 01:18:48,541 actually get a firearms license. First, 404 01:18:48,791 --> 01:18:51,833 you need to apply for it. 405 01:18:52,541 --> 01:18:55,041 Then you go through medical testing, 406 01:18:56,083 --> 01:18:57,541 psychiatrist, psychologist, 407 01:18:58,541 --> 01:19:02,708 MPLs, and then the inspectors actually go 408 01:19:02,708 --> 01:19:04,125 to your neighbourhood, neighbourhood, 409 01:19:04,791 --> 01:19:07,416 and ask about your character. So it's 410 01:19:07,416 --> 01:19:09,041 not, it's not an easy 411 01:19:09,041 --> 01:19:12,375 thing to get. But you know, 412 01:19:12,875 --> 01:19:14,708 like anywhere else, you know, corruption 413 01:19:14,708 --> 01:19:18,541 is, is, is possible. And 414 01:19:18,541 --> 01:19:21,041 some people actually get 415 01:19:22,000 --> 01:19:26,291 a firearms license without the proper, 416 01:19:26,291 --> 01:19:30,000 proper channels to go 417 01:19:30,000 --> 01:19:31,333 through. So, you know, 418 01:19:32,750 --> 01:19:35,416 it's okay. I mean, you know, the fact is 419 01:19:35,416 --> 01:19:37,666 the only reason why, why you can apply 420 01:19:37,666 --> 01:19:39,000 for firearms license 421 01:19:39,458 --> 01:19:42,375 is to protect yourself. And if you need 422 01:19:42,375 --> 01:19:45,000 protection, so, you know, I 423 01:19:45,000 --> 01:19:46,208 always say to my colleagues, 424 01:19:46,416 --> 01:19:52,125 if it's not an official firearm issued 425 01:19:52,125 --> 01:19:56,875 by, by, by, by my, by my employers, I 426 01:19:56,875 --> 01:19:57,875 really don't need it. 427 01:19:57,875 --> 01:20:00,583 It's just, it's just another headache and 428 01:20:00,583 --> 01:20:03,041 it's asking for trouble, you know? 429 01:20:04,000 --> 01:20:06,875 Yeah. No, I understand. Oh goodness. 430 01:20:07,541 --> 01:20:12,541 So 522 is actually, is, is the caliber 431 01:20:12,541 --> 01:20:14,041 that that's, that's nicely 432 01:20:14,041 --> 01:20:16,000 situated in, in, in the vault 433 01:20:16,083 --> 01:20:19,958 of the embassy and that we can rely on. If need be. 434 01:20:20,833 --> 01:20:23,541 Yeah. If needed. So there you are. 435 01:20:23,541 --> 01:20:27,291 If need be indeed. Wonderful. I'll say to 436 01:20:27,291 --> 01:20:28,666 everyone watching at home, 437 01:20:28,666 --> 01:20:30,000 if you love hearing what, 438 01:20:30,166 --> 01:20:32,166 what we're doing as much as we love doing it, 439 01:20:32,166 --> 01:20:32,916 be sure to smash 440 01:20:32,916 --> 01:20:34,000 that subscribe button. 441 01:20:35,041 --> 01:20:38,541 And, you know, I'll say today, you know, 442 01:20:38,541 --> 01:20:39,583 you've, you've gone on 443 01:20:39,583 --> 01:20:41,333 ridiculous journeys and, and 444 01:20:42,083 --> 01:20:44,541 been all over the entire planet. What's, 445 01:20:44,541 --> 01:20:46,000 what's your mission now? 446 01:20:46,875 --> 01:20:50,166 Well, the secret is, the secret is, is 447 01:20:50,166 --> 01:20:52,000 that I'm more or less 448 01:20:52,000 --> 01:20:54,000 retired. I'm, I'm getting on. 449 01:20:54,708 --> 01:20:57,083 The only income that I have is from a 450 01:20:57,083 --> 01:20:58,375 family pension 451 01:20:58,375 --> 01:21:01,583 pension and some disability 452 01:21:02,375 --> 01:21:06,750 allowance. But I am looking for some, 453 01:21:06,750 --> 01:21:11,041 some employment soon. 454 01:21:12,291 --> 01:21:13,916 The thing is, you know, 455 01:21:15,375 --> 01:21:18,416 a lot of people, I mean, so either 456 01:21:18,416 --> 01:21:21,166 Bosnia and Herzegovina, I mean, it's not a 457 01:21:21,166 --> 01:21:22,625 secret. And this is, 458 01:21:22,833 --> 01:21:26,291 this is actually true. It's regarded as 459 01:21:26,291 --> 01:21:27,333 the biggest holiday 460 01:21:27,333 --> 01:21:30,416 camp in the world. I mean, 461 01:21:30,541 --> 01:21:32,541 the international mission is still 462 01:21:32,541 --> 01:21:37,291 present. But there is no actual, thank 463 01:21:37,291 --> 01:21:39,291 God, there is no actual 464 01:21:40,208 --> 01:21:43,833 physical or real fighting going on. So 465 01:21:43,833 --> 01:21:45,416 the position, I mean, the mission is 466 01:21:45,416 --> 01:21:47,541 going on 30 years now. 467 01:21:49,000 --> 01:21:51,250 And it's like, you know, I mean, it's, 468 01:21:51,458 --> 01:21:52,583 it's just like, you know, 469 01:21:53,333 --> 01:21:54,541 yeah, whatever, 470 01:21:55,250 --> 01:21:59,708 I'm happy to take the money. Yeah. So, so 471 01:21:59,708 --> 01:22:03,791 picture this, our OCE P3 position, 472 01:22:05,750 --> 01:22:10,250 you get 5,000 Dollars a month, plus 200 Euros 473 01:22:10,250 --> 01:22:11,916 per day for living 474 01:22:11,916 --> 01:22:14,125 expenses. So we're talking about 475 01:22:15,750 --> 01:22:21,125 12,000 Euros a month, clean tax free 476 01:22:21,125 --> 01:22:24,125 salary. So who would want to, 477 01:22:24,125 --> 01:22:26,166 who would want to leave that? 478 01:22:27,333 --> 01:22:28,958 No, I understand. So they are. 479 01:22:28,958 --> 01:22:29,833 Yeah, there's a lot to be 480 01:22:29,833 --> 01:22:31,000 said about boring security. 481 01:22:32,125 --> 01:22:35,583 The thing is, UNDP, OCE, all these, all 482 01:22:35,583 --> 01:22:36,833 these organisations, 483 01:22:36,833 --> 01:22:39,041 they're all about roundtables 484 01:22:39,333 --> 01:22:44,083 and discussing ways how to progress. And 485 01:22:44,083 --> 01:22:46,541 there is actually no progress being made. 486 01:22:48,125 --> 01:22:50,541 I don't think anyone is listening or 487 01:22:50,541 --> 01:22:53,375 actually trying to, to listen 488 01:22:53,375 --> 01:22:57,333 to these, to these proposals. 489 01:22:57,958 --> 01:23:01,125 And I'm sorry to hear, to say, say this, 490 01:23:01,125 --> 01:23:03,250 but you know, it's very ineffective. 491 01:23:03,625 --> 01:23:05,791 Hmm. Well, you've mentioned that you're 492 01:23:05,791 --> 01:23:06,583 not planning on running 493 01:23:06,583 --> 01:23:07,625 for office, but it sounds 494 01:23:07,625 --> 01:23:09,333 like maybe you're the man for the task. 495 01:23:10,458 --> 01:23:13,833 No, I mean, I'm not a 496 01:23:13,833 --> 01:23:17,125 hypocrite. I don't support the system. 497 01:23:17,125 --> 01:23:19,625 And I don't think that anyone can be 498 01:23:19,625 --> 01:23:22,875 successful as a politician 499 01:23:22,875 --> 01:23:25,166 in this, you know, within this 500 01:23:25,166 --> 01:23:27,166 system. I mean, there's, you know, 501 01:23:27,166 --> 01:23:29,333 there's nothing to be done 502 01:23:29,375 --> 01:23:33,583 until the system changes. So, you know, really, you know, 503 01:23:33,583 --> 01:23:37,000 I have no political aspirations whatsoever. 504 01:23:37,166 --> 01:23:39,375 I understand. Well, this all starts with 505 01:23:39,375 --> 01:23:41,166 one. We can, we can hope for that. 506 01:23:42,541 --> 01:23:47,875 Well, as I, as they say, hope dies last. 507 01:23:48,291 --> 01:23:49,541 So there you are. 508 01:23:50,666 --> 01:23:55,750 Fair enough. Well, how about this? So 509 01:23:55,750 --> 01:23:58,125 over, you know, the, the 510 01:23:58,125 --> 01:24:00,333 past decades, how, how has your 511 01:24:00,375 --> 01:24:02,625 identity changed, you know, coming from 512 01:24:02,625 --> 01:24:05,583 being kind of pinballed around going to 513 01:24:05,583 --> 01:24:06,458 England, coming back 514 01:24:06,458 --> 01:24:10,166 to, to kind of the Balkans? What, what, 515 01:24:10,500 --> 01:24:11,708 what has it felt like for you? 516 01:24:12,500 --> 01:24:14,750 Last time, last time I visited 517 01:24:14,750 --> 01:24:18,791 UK was 2015. I actually got a 518 01:24:18,791 --> 01:24:21,833 job, job. And the problem is, 519 01:24:21,833 --> 01:24:23,666 you couldn't open a bank account 520 01:24:23,666 --> 01:24:26,125 without a proof of address, 521 01:24:26,916 --> 01:24:28,500 because I was, I was actually 522 01:24:28,500 --> 01:24:36,708 a renting a room in near, near Guildhall, 523 01:24:36,708 --> 01:24:37,958 I think it was, was the 524 01:24:37,958 --> 01:24:39,625 place. Yeah, it's, it's not, 525 01:24:40,083 --> 01:24:41,916 it's, it's not, it's not something that I 526 01:24:41,916 --> 01:24:43,833 remember. So the problem 527 01:24:43,833 --> 01:24:47,291 is, you know, I got told by my Oh no, moreover, I was meaning, like... 528 01:24:47,333 --> 01:24:49,833 friends, Lieutenant Colonel, Stephen 529 01:24:49,833 --> 01:24:53,000 Croft, then he said to 530 01:24:53,000 --> 01:24:54,666 me, you know, to open a bank 531 01:24:54,666 --> 01:24:57,041 account in the UK as a foreigner, you need to 532 01:24:57,041 --> 01:24:58,208 be a Russian oligarch 533 01:24:58,208 --> 01:25:00,958 or so there you are. 534 01:25:01,666 --> 01:25:03,791 No, I understand. I'm moreover meaning, 535 01:25:03,791 --> 01:25:04,833 like, as far as your 536 01:25:04,833 --> 01:25:06,125 personal identity of, 537 01:25:06,458 --> 01:25:08,750 like, lessons learned and things and how 538 01:25:08,750 --> 01:25:10,833 is how is your personal journey been? 539 01:25:11,833 --> 01:25:14,791 Well, personal, I mean, I'm not sure 540 01:25:14,791 --> 01:25:17,416 exactly what you're asking, but you know, 541 01:25:17,416 --> 01:25:18,833 the identity, you know, 542 01:25:20,333 --> 01:25:23,208 some things stay with you. Sure. And 543 01:25:23,208 --> 01:25:24,666 experience stays with you. 544 01:25:24,666 --> 01:25:26,541 But the fact is, you know, I am 545 01:25:26,541 --> 01:25:28,166 a Catholic, my 546 01:25:28,166 --> 01:25:29,750 grandmother and my mother choose 547 01:25:31,166 --> 01:25:35,458 to baptise me as a Catholic. So I tend 548 01:25:35,458 --> 01:25:36,625 to, you know, I try to 549 01:25:36,625 --> 01:25:37,958 honour their, their choice 550 01:25:39,000 --> 01:25:42,375 with that. So, you know, being, being 551 01:25:42,375 --> 01:25:44,333 sent a certificate of 552 01:25:44,333 --> 01:25:49,291 baptisme in '98 in UK as a Catholic 553 01:25:50,125 --> 01:25:51,500 wasn't very, 554 01:25:54,375 --> 01:25:57,708 wasn't the greatest experience 555 01:25:57,708 --> 01:26:03,416 for me, to be honest, but never mind, you 556 01:26:03,416 --> 01:26:04,750 know, if I understand, 557 01:26:04,958 --> 01:26:06,041 you know, the thing is, 558 01:26:06,583 --> 01:26:10,916 it was still fresh from the Northern 559 01:26:10,916 --> 01:26:11,625 Ireland, I mean, the 560 01:26:11,625 --> 01:26:13,125 Northern Ireland conflict 561 01:26:14,208 --> 01:26:17,750 is like, you know, really, really stupid, 562 01:26:17,750 --> 01:26:19,333 you know, but I 563 01:26:19,333 --> 01:26:22,166 understand, I understand the fear, 564 01:26:23,083 --> 01:26:28,250 and I understand that it's not, it's not 565 01:26:28,250 --> 01:26:32,833 a thing to be. So basically, my identity, 566 01:26:36,541 --> 01:26:44,708 being a Croat is not easy. Sarajevo is a 567 01:26:44,708 --> 01:26:47,208 majority Muslim population, and being 568 01:26:47,208 --> 01:26:48,666 Catholic is not easy. 569 01:26:50,583 --> 01:26:53,416 The fact is that every, every side 570 01:26:53,416 --> 01:26:56,250 actually took their side and everybody 571 01:26:56,250 --> 01:26:57,625 warred against everybody, 572 01:26:58,166 --> 01:27:01,958 you know, it's, you know, it's something 573 01:27:01,958 --> 01:27:03,083 that, you know, comes 574 01:27:03,083 --> 01:27:04,416 with, with the territory, 575 01:27:04,875 --> 01:27:06,708 you know, something that they get used 576 01:27:06,708 --> 01:27:08,375 to, which is why what, 577 01:27:08,750 --> 01:27:10,958 which is why I said what I said, 578 01:27:12,125 --> 01:27:16,500 no amount of training can prepare you for 579 01:27:16,500 --> 01:27:17,791 what you are actually 580 01:27:17,791 --> 01:27:19,625 about to face in Bosnia and 581 01:27:19,625 --> 01:27:22,125 Herzegovina. I understand. And it's like, 582 01:27:22,125 --> 01:27:24,416 you know, walking down the main street, 583 01:27:24,958 --> 01:27:27,333 yeah, very easy, very, you become 584 01:27:27,333 --> 01:27:28,833 schizophrenic, pyromidal schizophrenic, 585 01:27:28,833 --> 01:27:30,583 very easy, because people 586 01:27:30,791 --> 01:27:35,958 tend to speak very loudly while they're 587 01:27:35,958 --> 01:27:37,083 walking around the 588 01:27:37,083 --> 01:27:38,625 street. And that's not something 589 01:27:39,000 --> 01:27:41,125 that happens in the UK, does it? 590 01:27:41,125 --> 01:27:44,541 No, it's much the opposite. Like you 591 01:27:44,541 --> 01:27:46,166 already know the joke that we 592 01:27:46,166 --> 01:27:48,333 always say is like, oh, you know, going 593 01:27:48,333 --> 01:27:49,375 on in the street like the 594 01:27:49,375 --> 01:27:51,041 French or the Italians, like, you 595 01:27:51,041 --> 01:27:52,291 know, it's that kind of thing. 596 01:27:52,291 --> 01:27:56,083 Yap, yap, yap, yap. It's like giving it this. 597 01:27:56,083 --> 01:27:57,791 It's that friendly banter, mate. 598 01:27:57,791 --> 01:28:01,625 Yeah, exactly. But not not being loud. 599 01:28:01,833 --> 01:28:03,041 Like, that's not not 600 01:28:03,041 --> 01:28:04,583 traditional, as far as that goes. 601 01:28:05,250 --> 01:28:07,125 That actually does bring up another 602 01:28:07,125 --> 01:28:09,916 query. Like, what, what strengths from 603 01:28:09,916 --> 01:28:12,208 your service? Do you 604 01:28:12,208 --> 01:28:14,166 feel like serve you well in your in your 605 01:28:14,166 --> 01:28:16,291 every day? What what 606 01:28:16,291 --> 01:28:19,333 particularly aiming with this question? 607 01:28:20,625 --> 01:28:23,708 Meaning, like things that say someone 608 01:28:23,708 --> 01:28:25,041 that worked at a coffee 609 01:28:25,041 --> 01:28:26,750 house would not have had your 610 01:28:26,833 --> 01:28:29,125 experiences. So, you know, your 611 01:28:29,125 --> 01:28:30,291 perception of the world, like 612 01:28:30,291 --> 01:28:31,916 things that made you stronger, 613 01:28:31,916 --> 01:28:34,666 made you better. What what have you drawn 614 01:28:34,666 --> 01:28:37,000 from all your kind 615 01:28:37,000 --> 01:28:38,083 of military and intelligence 616 01:28:38,208 --> 01:28:44,833 experiences? The thing is, I think, 617 01:28:44,833 --> 01:28:47,333 once you give your word to someone, 618 01:28:48,875 --> 01:28:51,083 it actually counts for something, to me 619 01:28:51,083 --> 01:28:52,208 at least, you know, 620 01:28:53,500 --> 01:28:55,458 people are, you know, it's a 621 01:28:55,958 --> 01:28:58,250 gentleman's agreement, when you shake 622 01:28:58,250 --> 01:29:00,375 someone's hand, and give 623 01:29:00,375 --> 01:29:03,166 someone your word. I think, 624 01:29:03,958 --> 01:29:07,208 for me, at least, it is something that 625 01:29:07,208 --> 01:29:08,625 you follow through, no 626 01:29:08,625 --> 01:29:10,791 matter what, you know, 627 01:29:10,791 --> 01:29:14,333 it doesn't matter what circumstances you find Integrity above all else. 628 01:29:14,333 --> 01:29:17,166 yourself in, your word is your 629 01:29:17,166 --> 01:29:21,333 word. And it's something that 630 01:29:21,750 --> 01:29:26,583 actually matters. So as a close 631 01:29:26,583 --> 01:29:29,000 protection officer, I mean, you know, 632 01:29:29,541 --> 01:29:31,125 I've, I've served with 633 01:29:31,583 --> 01:29:34,375 a few people as a close protection 634 01:29:34,375 --> 01:29:39,458 officer. Yeah. The thing is, 635 01:29:39,458 --> 01:29:41,875 you know, my first client was 636 01:29:41,875 --> 01:29:45,625 Rod Rastan. He was actually, then then it 637 01:29:45,625 --> 01:29:46,791 was IPTF, 638 01:29:46,791 --> 01:29:48,583 International Police Task Force, 639 01:29:49,083 --> 01:29:53,791 back in 1999. So he was head of, you 640 01:29:53,791 --> 01:29:55,583 know, Chief of Special Response Unit, 641 01:29:56,833 --> 01:29:58,958 with regards to human rights being 642 01:29:58,958 --> 01:30:03,000 violated by police officers. So, yeah. 643 01:30:04,625 --> 01:30:07,666 Being a, I can see why people might have 644 01:30:07,666 --> 01:30:10,708 him kind of marked. That's not not an 645 01:30:10,708 --> 01:30:12,333 easy situation to be 646 01:30:12,375 --> 01:30:15,583 in. The thing is, you know, being on his 647 01:30:15,583 --> 01:30:17,583 detail, I mean, the guy's a 648 01:30:17,583 --> 01:30:20,291 Baha'i. He's of Iranian descent. 649 01:30:21,000 --> 01:30:23,500 And he was actually studying, and he got 650 01:30:23,500 --> 01:30:24,708 his PhD from London 651 01:30:24,708 --> 01:30:27,125 School of Economics in law. 652 01:30:29,291 --> 01:30:33,958 So basically, he went on to become a 653 01:30:33,958 --> 01:30:36,333 system prosecutor at The Hague. 654 01:30:37,083 --> 01:30:39,291 Oh, gotcha. 655 01:30:39,291 --> 01:30:43,708 He went from IPTF to EUPM, a brief stint 656 01:30:43,708 --> 01:30:48,958 in Cyprus, and then back to The Hague as 657 01:30:48,958 --> 01:30:49,958 a system prosecutor. 658 01:30:51,916 --> 01:30:54,541 We're still in touch. That's what I can 659 01:30:54,541 --> 01:30:58,166 say. He's a good man. He is 660 01:30:58,166 --> 01:31:00,083 a good man. But the thing is, 661 01:31:00,291 --> 01:31:05,625 you have to understand that you don't get 662 01:31:05,625 --> 01:31:09,500 any, you don't get to make many friends 663 01:31:10,791 --> 01:31:13,458 in this line of profession, especially 664 01:31:13,458 --> 01:31:15,833 within the local community. 665 01:31:18,541 --> 01:31:23,083 The fact is, international community and 666 01:31:23,083 --> 01:31:25,166 people that actually do some 667 01:31:25,791 --> 01:31:34,041 real work are not viewed as allies. And 668 01:31:34,041 --> 01:31:35,166 the fact is, you know, 669 01:31:35,625 --> 01:31:36,791 what's happening in Gaza 670 01:31:38,375 --> 01:31:43,708 is not something you, you are often asked 671 01:31:43,708 --> 01:31:46,750 to comment on that. And I try not to, 672 01:31:46,791 --> 01:31:50,791 particularly because of my colleagues And that's okay. That's okay. 673 01:31:50,791 --> 01:31:53,083 that are of Muslim descent. 674 01:31:55,083 --> 01:31:58,208 Because there is a difference between Sunni and Yeah, and there's no need to get into it. 675 01:31:58,208 --> 01:32:00,291 Shi'ite, like in Christianity, 676 01:32:01,416 --> 01:32:03,250 there is a difference between Sunni and 677 01:32:03,250 --> 01:32:07,041 Shi'ite Muslims. And you 678 01:32:07,041 --> 01:32:08,541 have to understand that 679 01:32:09,083 --> 01:32:11,375 Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina are 680 01:32:11,375 --> 01:32:13,166 Sunni, and they're not 681 01:32:13,166 --> 01:32:16,041 allowed to interpret Quran 682 01:32:16,916 --> 01:32:21,583 and the writings of Quran. So that's 683 01:32:21,583 --> 01:32:23,375 something you should know, 684 01:32:24,000 --> 01:32:25,375 should be aware of at least. 685 01:32:26,625 --> 01:32:29,208 I understand. So you've kind of touched 686 01:32:29,208 --> 01:32:31,458 on it already. But what 687 01:32:31,458 --> 01:32:32,958 does your next chapter look 688 01:32:32,958 --> 01:32:35,916 like? Are you planning on, say, starting 689 01:32:35,916 --> 01:32:37,458 your own business as far 690 01:32:37,458 --> 01:32:38,291 as personal protection? 691 01:32:40,375 --> 01:32:43,208 Starting your own business in Bosnia and 692 01:32:43,208 --> 01:32:46,125 Herzegovina or anywhere is a huge gamble. 693 01:32:46,166 --> 01:32:51,666 And you need to have good finance. So 694 01:32:51,666 --> 01:32:52,958 that's not an option for 695 01:32:52,958 --> 01:32:55,583 me. I'm not that brave. Sorry. 696 01:32:56,083 --> 01:32:58,833 I mean, I'm not an entrepreneur, and I'm 697 01:32:58,833 --> 01:33:00,291 not thinking of actually 698 01:33:00,291 --> 01:33:02,541 starting my own company. 699 01:33:03,333 --> 01:33:07,000 But, you know, I'm exploring options for 700 01:33:07,000 --> 01:33:10,750 Lockheed Martin through a connection. 701 01:33:11,000 --> 01:33:14,500 And I'm exploring options with different 702 01:33:14,500 --> 01:33:17,166 companies as an executive assistant. 703 01:33:17,541 --> 01:33:21,416 I am experienced administrator and 704 01:33:21,416 --> 01:33:23,875 project assistant. And should anyone 705 01:33:25,166 --> 01:33:28,208 look for an effective and efficient 706 01:33:28,208 --> 01:33:30,375 communicator and executive 707 01:33:30,375 --> 01:33:33,000 assistant, please contact me. 708 01:33:33,375 --> 01:33:36,416 I'm open to negotiations and to discuss 709 01:33:36,416 --> 01:33:39,625 potential employment. 710 01:33:41,416 --> 01:33:44,833 I love it. I'm not looking for management 711 01:33:44,833 --> 01:33:46,833 positions, if that's what you're asking. 712 01:33:47,458 --> 01:33:51,291 No, this was more so just a broad stroke 713 01:33:51,291 --> 01:33:53,333 to understand what's on 714 01:33:53,333 --> 01:33:54,416 the plate next for you. 715 01:33:56,208 --> 01:34:00,291 So I'll ask this one as well. What do you 716 01:34:00,291 --> 01:34:01,000 want people to 717 01:34:01,000 --> 01:34:02,333 understand, like, you know, 718 01:34:02,333 --> 01:34:04,791 think civilian world. What do you want 719 01:34:04,791 --> 01:34:07,125 people to understand about, you know, 720 01:34:07,125 --> 01:34:08,291 your experiences or, 721 01:34:08,291 --> 01:34:10,791 in general, the military and intelligence 722 01:34:10,791 --> 01:34:12,750 community that they probably don't know? 723 01:34:14,500 --> 01:34:21,333 The fact is, I mean, kids don't watch 724 01:34:21,333 --> 01:34:23,333 Steven Seagal movies. I 725 01:34:23,333 --> 01:34:25,208 mean, I mean, I'm actually 726 01:34:25,208 --> 01:34:30,583 going early with this because you told me 727 01:34:30,583 --> 01:34:32,500 it's going to happen. So kids, 728 01:34:32,541 --> 01:34:34,083 well, we'll get to that in a moment. 729 01:34:34,083 --> 01:34:39,041 Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Mr. 730 01:34:41,500 --> 01:34:47,166 Schwarzenegger don't think by any means, 731 01:34:47,375 --> 01:34:49,041 I mean, these it's, 732 01:34:49,041 --> 01:34:50,583 they're made for entertainment 733 01:34:50,625 --> 01:34:53,958 purposes and entertainment purposes. And 734 01:34:53,958 --> 01:34:55,333 you will learn very 735 01:34:55,333 --> 01:34:57,291 fast. If you do ever join 736 01:34:58,208 --> 01:35:00,875 the forces, armed forces, you will learn 737 01:35:00,875 --> 01:35:03,708 very, very fast that it's 738 01:35:03,708 --> 01:35:06,833 not a one man show. And no, 739 01:35:07,791 --> 01:35:10,833 you cannot actually beat the whole army 740 01:35:10,833 --> 01:35:13,458 by yourself. I mean, you 741 01:35:13,458 --> 01:35:15,625 know, it's just, you know, 742 01:35:16,291 --> 01:35:20,125 so, so stupidly inaccurate, inaccurate, 743 01:35:20,875 --> 01:35:23,291 that, you know, I mean, 744 01:35:23,958 --> 01:35:26,916 I've, I never thought it would be 745 01:35:26,958 --> 01:35:30,083 possible. I mean, my, my, my common sense 746 01:35:30,083 --> 01:35:33,416 dictates me to understand 747 01:35:33,416 --> 01:35:35,583 that one person can't beat 748 01:35:36,125 --> 01:35:40,083 like, you know, 100 soldiers within two hours. Well, I say this... 749 01:35:40,083 --> 01:35:41,041 I say this quite... 750 01:35:41,041 --> 01:35:43,791 I say this quite often, but common sense is not 751 01:35:43,791 --> 01:35:47,041 common. You know what I'm saying? Okay. 752 01:35:47,041 --> 01:35:47,958 You know the saying common 753 01:35:47,958 --> 01:35:49,291 sense cannot be taught and 754 01:35:49,333 --> 01:35:51,291 experience can it be, cannot be bought. 755 01:35:51,291 --> 01:35:52,041 You know, that saying, 756 01:35:52,041 --> 01:35:55,000 right? Yeah, I do. So, you know, 757 01:35:55,000 --> 01:35:59,500 I need, I need to not comment further on that. 758 01:35:59,500 --> 01:36:01,458 No, no need to, but 759 01:36:01,458 --> 01:36:03,125 you've touched on it and we'll 760 01:36:03,125 --> 01:36:05,291 get into it. But what's, what's a telly 761 01:36:05,291 --> 01:36:07,416 show or film that's either, 762 01:36:07,416 --> 01:36:10,208 let's say so bad that it's 763 01:36:10,208 --> 01:36:12,458 hilarious or so, or even like so 764 01:36:12,458 --> 01:36:14,791 accurate, like going the other way that 765 01:36:14,791 --> 01:36:16,083 you go, Oh no, they really 766 01:36:16,208 --> 01:36:18,750 nailed it on the head, like relevant to 767 01:36:18,750 --> 01:36:19,625 your experience. 768 01:36:20,958 --> 01:36:22,375 Irrelevant to my experience. 769 01:36:23,583 --> 01:36:25,541 Oh no, relevant. Relevant to my experience. 770 01:36:26,083 --> 01:36:27,250 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 771 01:36:27,250 --> 01:36:31,541 Well, I'll tell you what my favourite movie is. 772 01:36:31,541 --> 01:36:33,166 Yeah. Maybe I'm getting ahead of time 773 01:36:33,166 --> 01:36:35,250 ahead of, ahead of it. But 774 01:36:35,250 --> 01:36:37,875 my favourite movie is actually 775 01:36:38,291 --> 01:36:41,500 "Rules Of Engagement", because it actually 776 01:36:41,500 --> 01:36:44,916 shows clearly 777 01:36:44,916 --> 01:36:47,041 how some people are prepared 778 01:36:49,666 --> 01:36:54,125 to scapegoat an honourable officer or 779 01:36:54,125 --> 01:36:56,625 people actually serving their 780 01:36:56,625 --> 01:36:58,833 country for political reasons. 781 01:36:59,875 --> 01:37:00,583 Okay. 782 01:37:03,166 --> 01:37:07,708 It's so easy. It's so easy to throw a 783 01:37:07,708 --> 01:37:12,291 man's career under a bus just 784 01:37:12,291 --> 01:37:14,916 because you want to get ahead 785 01:37:14,916 --> 01:37:18,500 or you want to find a scapegoat for, for, 786 01:37:18,500 --> 01:37:19,708 for, for something 787 01:37:19,708 --> 01:37:23,833 that's not comfortable. 788 01:37:24,125 --> 01:37:27,458 Um, so basically, you know, that's pretty 789 01:37:27,458 --> 01:37:29,291 much, much it. You know, 790 01:37:29,500 --> 01:37:32,208 I, I am actually, 791 01:37:32,208 --> 01:37:35,291 I'm just waiting for someone to, to try that 792 01:37:35,291 --> 01:37:36,333 on me. 793 01:37:37,750 --> 01:37:40,541 Let's hope that's not the case. There is no honour 794 01:37:40,625 --> 01:37:43,916 among, among thieves or politicians, you 795 01:37:43,916 --> 01:37:45,583 know, I, I'm fully aware of 796 01:37:45,583 --> 01:37:47,625 that. So, you know, it just, 797 01:37:47,666 --> 01:37:51,000 you know, it's just a very, very, very 798 01:37:51,000 --> 01:37:55,333 bad thing over here. And, 799 01:37:55,416 --> 01:38:00,208 you know, I mean, perhaps, 800 01:38:00,500 --> 01:38:05,291 uh, "A Few Good Men", that's not a bad 801 01:38:05,333 --> 01:38:09,208 movie either. "A Few Good Men" with Tom Cruise. Do you feel like that one's kind of 802 01:38:09,208 --> 01:38:10,416 hit it on the head as 803 01:38:10,416 --> 01:38:13,333 far as procedure and things? I mean, you want the truth. You 804 01:38:13,333 --> 01:38:15,791 can't handle the truth, man. That's, 805 01:38:15,791 --> 01:38:16,708 that's a great line. 806 01:38:17,083 --> 01:38:19,625 You know, that it's very true. You know, 807 01:38:19,958 --> 01:38:20,833 the thing is that the 808 01:38:20,833 --> 01:38:23,291 sheer arrogance, um, that can 809 01:38:23,291 --> 01:38:26,666 be actually done and portrayed only by 810 01:38:26,666 --> 01:38:29,291 Nick Nicholson, Jack 811 01:38:29,291 --> 01:38:31,208 Nicholson. You know, it's just, 812 01:38:31,208 --> 01:38:34,208 you know, it just perfect. You know, 813 01:38:34,208 --> 01:38:35,125 I mean, I love it. 814 01:38:35,125 --> 01:38:36,166 No, that's brilliant. 815 01:38:36,166 --> 01:38:38,583 so they are, you know, I mean, if I'm, if 816 01:38:38,583 --> 01:38:39,541 I'm getting ahead too 817 01:38:39,541 --> 01:38:41,708 much, please, uh, please, uh, 818 01:38:41,708 --> 01:38:45,500 No, good sir. No, this is all brilliant. But I 819 01:38:45,500 --> 01:38:46,750 mean, that, that concludes 820 01:38:46,750 --> 01:38:48,500 this. I mean, thank you so 821 01:38:48,500 --> 01:38:51,458 much for coming, Vedran, and for people looking 822 01:38:51,458 --> 01:38:52,833 to connect with you, uh, 823 01:38:52,833 --> 01:38:54,458 how is best to find you? 824 01:38:55,375 --> 01:38:57,791 I'm available in LinkedIn. Um, anyone who 825 01:38:57,791 --> 01:38:59,208 wants to, anyone who wants 826 01:38:59,208 --> 01:39:01,833 to connect, um, is free. Um, 827 01:39:02,583 --> 01:39:06,041 you know, I, I mean, I, I operate under 828 01:39:06,041 --> 01:39:08,416 present laws and obligations 829 01:39:08,416 --> 01:39:11,500 that I have. So, uh, to me, 830 01:39:12,416 --> 01:39:14,166 as a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina 831 01:39:14,166 --> 01:39:19,083 and Croatia, um, laws apply, um, and to 832 01:39:19,083 --> 01:39:20,375 US citizens as well. 833 01:39:20,375 --> 01:39:22,708 So anything that is within legal 834 01:39:22,708 --> 01:39:26,250 boundaries, um, of actually assisting or 835 01:39:26,250 --> 01:39:28,375 doing, I, you know, I will 836 01:39:28,666 --> 01:39:32,541 happily do, uh, and provide for, um, with 837 01:39:32,541 --> 01:39:34,125 no, actually, you know, 838 01:39:34,125 --> 01:39:36,250 it's, it's my job. Okay. So, 839 01:39:36,666 --> 01:39:40,208 um, strategic, uh, partnerships, uh, are 840 01:39:40,208 --> 01:39:42,416 very welcome. Um, anyone 841 01:39:42,416 --> 01:39:43,791 looking to do business in 842 01:39:43,791 --> 01:39:45,625 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or 843 01:39:45,625 --> 01:39:48,250 anywhere in EU, you know, please contact 844 01:39:48,250 --> 01:39:50,083 me. Uh, I'll do anything 845 01:39:50,250 --> 01:39:52,916 in my power to assist you, um, and help 846 01:39:52,916 --> 01:39:55,083 you. Um, you know, and no, 847 01:39:55,333 --> 01:39:57,750 you know, uh, you know, I don't, 848 01:39:57,750 --> 01:40:02,250 I don't ask for extra cash or, 849 01:40:02,250 --> 01:40:04,041 financial, um, you know, I'm 850 01:40:04,041 --> 01:40:07,375 not, I'm not corrupt. So there 851 01:40:07,375 --> 01:40:09,166 you are. I mean, if I can, if something 852 01:40:09,166 --> 01:40:12,625 can be done, um, and it is 853 01:40:12,625 --> 01:40:15,125 within the legal par, 854 01:40:15,291 --> 01:40:18,833 parametres, um, you 855 01:40:18,833 --> 01:40:20,375 know, I will gladly do it. 856 01:40:20,375 --> 01:40:22,083 So there you are. 857 01:40:23,125 --> 01:40:26,041 I love it. Well, we have more brilliant 858 01:40:26,041 --> 01:40:27,708 stories coming soon. And if 859 01:40:27,708 --> 01:40:28,708 you'd like to support the, 860 01:40:28,708 --> 01:40:30,666 uh, show directly, please 861 01:40:30,666 --> 01:40:32,250 join The Tribe on Patreon. 862 01:40:33,208 --> 01:40:33,916 Cheers all.