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  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in oa_core_visibility_data() (line 607 of /app/profiles/viu/modules/contrib/oa_core/includes/oa_core.access.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in oa_core_visibility_data() (line 607 of /app/profiles/viu/modules/contrib/oa_core/includes/oa_core.access.inc).
Date: September 6th 1974
To
Susan, Tonia, and Cameron Doerksen - (wife & children)
From
Kenn Doerksen
Letter

Friday, 6 Sept 74

Dearest Susan, Tonia and Cameron,

Hi there! I just finished a letter to my folks and I still have time for another one. Besides, the sporadic firing outside makes sleeping a bit difficult. Every night, at 9.30, the Greek post just across the road from me fires off a few rounds and then the Turks 200 yds down the street fire back a couple. No one ever gets hit, its just like a game.

No letter from you for awhile but everyone seems to be in the same boat...the mail service is extremely sporadic. I’ll probably get three one of these days. Hope mine are arriving a bit better. I did hear from Colin that you arrived home and were locked out, I wondered about that key on the counter before I left.

My life continues to be varied and interesting by day and routine and boring by night. The movies lately have been poor, so I read or sit and talk with the guys at the bar. Tonight Denktash and Clarides had a 4-hr. meeting in our movie room...the place was swarming with UN and private body guards. Yesterday I negotiated the exchange of 6 Turk and 6 Greek refugees...spent about 3 hours in the Vice President’s Office (with several of his aides...not the VP himself). The day before, Ken and I took a load of books in a 2 ½T truck over to the Turkish sector and ended up with 12 Turk kids sitting in the cab honking the horn. We were quite a sight as we are about the only UN who get over regularly. We are very well treated by both sides and are making contacts with people on both sides all along the lines.

The island is really very beautiful and the weather is hot but pleasant (nights are cool enough to require a blanket). We have 300 guys in the Ledra Hotel (1CDO + HQ), about 150 at the airport, 250 in an apartment complex about 4 miles from here and the rest at Blue Beret Camp. Some guys you never see...I saw Sam for the first time this week. I am one of the lucky people to have my own jeep and permanent driver. Also have two British Scout Cars constantly tasked to me. They love it.

Hows life back in Edmonton...knitting like crazy, I bet. I miss you all the time. It’s ⅓ over and yet it seems like a year, already.

All my love,
Kenn
XXXXX

P.S. Haven’t sent Post Cards yet!!

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Original Scans