December 25, 1995
Web posted at: 1:10 p.m. EST (1810 GMT)
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (CNN) -- Christmas in Bosnia means a myriad of emotions to the people involved in the implementation of the peace accord. From the death of a British soldier to the stirring words of a midnight Mass, it has been a Christmas to remember for many reasons.
Tracer bullets were fired on a British Lynx helicopter over Bosnia Sunday but missed. The central Bosnian town of Jajce, where the shooting occurred, is controlled by Bosnian Croat forces but NATO said it isn't clear who is responsible for the attack.
"Machine-gun fire aimed at the aircraft was observed from the ground in the area of Jajce," said Lt. Col. Mark Rayner, a NATO spokesman in Sarajevo.
Two other NATO helicopters reported "celebratory" fire near their aircraft Friday. One was flying near Sarajevo and the other near Bugojno. Although officials realize that firing into the air is a traditional practice during the holidays, they hold a dim view of the occurrences. "Our view remains that it is ill-disciplined and unacceptable," Rayner said.
It's the fifth time that NATO aircraft have come under fire since the alliance took over the Bosnian peacekeeping mission from the United Nations.
The commander of NATO's implementation force condemned the attacks but is not suspending air operations.
In Sarajevo, a British soldier has reportedly committed suicide. Rayner said that Signalman Mark Maxwell of the 7th Royal Signals was found dead of a single gunshot to the head Monday at NATO headquarters. Rayner said it appeared that no one else was involved.
Maxwell's death is the first known casualty in Bosnia for the implementation force, which eventually will number 60,000. A German soldier reportedly was killed in a Bosnia-related exercise last week.
Britain is contributing the second largest contingent in the NATO force with 13,000 troops. The United States is sending 20,000.
Peace on Earth took on a special meaning in Bosnia on Sunday. Many residents in Sarajevo were able to celebrate their first peaceful Christmas in three and a half years.
Under the watchful eyes of the NATO peace enforcement mission, hundreds of worshipers turned out to attend a midnight Mass at the Sacred Heart cathedral in the Bosnian capital.
Cardinal Vinko Puljic delivered a stirring message that at times brought tears to the mixed-faith congregation. "I have good news for you today," the cardinal said. "A child is born to us -- peace. That's why our hearts are trembling tonight. God loves us, he has not abandoned us. Hope comes with this Christmas. ...
"The war is over," Puljic said, his voice breaking. "Let there be peace."
An American convoy patrolling the streets in Kalesija on Christmas Day drew little response from war-weary Bosnian civilians. The heavily armed peacekeepers were having an uneventful day as they cruised the rainy Bosnian terrain on a reconnaissance mission, escorted by two Apache helicopters. The platoon rolled through the countryside in eight humvees, wide jeep-like vehicles, loaded with rocket and grenade launchers.
As the advance team passed the remains of bombed buildings, the handful of citizens roaming the street scarcely gave them a glance. They have seen many soldiers of many different uniforms. They have seen too many images of war.
Regardless of the indifference, Cpl. Randy Pavavick of the "Cowboy 34" platoon stood ready to fire at the first sign of hostility from the surrounding hills, where Serbs once fired at will on the towns below. "I'm getting used to this," said Pavavick, who is from West Virginia. "I worked last Christmas, too. I expect I will next year."
Pavavick and the platoon were winding their way back to the U.S. headquarters at Tuzla, a former Yugoslav MiG base in northeastern Bosnia. There they planned to join 1,300 other Americans for their first hot meal since arriving a week ago, a gravy-covered plate of turkey, corn, cranberries and pie.
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