Kosovo Serbs earning their living in U.S. Army
Although they still remember the American bombing of Serbia almost ten years ago, Kosovo Serbs are joining the U.S. Amy and they’re choosing to go to Iraq or Afghanistan to put food on the table back home. Strpce, nestled in the mountains of Kosovo, is a postcard scene. The peace of this scene belies the hatred and mistrust that has grown there in the ten years since the war in Kosovo. The isolated Serbs live in the enclave of Strpce, surrounded by Albanians - and palpable hostility. These are poor and hungry times for the Kosovo Serbs and the elders fear for many the only way is out. “Most people here used to work in agriculture or in the nearby ski resort at Brezovica. But since the NATO bombardment nearly ten years ago, that's impossible and so most of us have no work,” says Zvonko Mihalovic, President of the Serbian Municipality in Strpce. In Strpce Sasha Zdravkovic is a lucky man. At least he has a job. Eight out of ten people there do not. His dream is to train as an English teacher - a dream that costs money. To find the money it’s very likely that he’ll to have to risk his life. He's applied for a job working with the American forces in Afghanistan. Sasha says his parents don’t work any more and he needs to earn money for them and for himself. Djordgje, who asked not to be identified, risked all in Afghanistan and lived to tell the tale. He worked there for 15 months earning $US 200 a day - a week's salary in Strpce. “The main reason I went is to make some better money, start doing some private business,” explained Djordgje. Now that's he's back home, he's building a house for his wife and two children. He's also picking up again on a life of fear and loathing where speaking out is a risk. For those left behind in the dash for Afghanistan it is no easier. Nikola Krstic's cousin has been working in Afghanistan for two years. Each month he sends money home. All his family can send in return are prayers. “I am afraid for his life, I pray for his health and for his life everyday. Only God can save us and save the people who work in Iraq and Afghanistan,” says Nikola. It's often a difficult bargain as Veljko Miladinovic found out. He worked for the Americans at a military base not far from Strpce. Even without the risks of Afghanistan it was difficult to shake the feeling of working for the enemy - the same people who sent bombers less than a decade ago. “I couldn’t sleep. I was angry with myself that I must work for them,” he says. But for most young Serbs its survival and money first, questions later. Post this story to del.icio.us <http://del.icio.us/> http://www.russiatoday.com/features/news/31377
