The Dutch contribution to Operation Essential Harvest in Macedonia
On 17 Augustus 2001 the Council of Ministers provided a reinforced airmobile company and some staff officers. The government did, however, impose the condition that the company could only be deployed as part of the British battalion.
The main force departed for the area of operations on 26 August 2001. It established a base camp on the site of a fruit processing plant in Dracevo, somewhat to the southeast of the Macedonian capital Skopje. Weapon collection points were set up in accordance with the instructions of the British commander of Task Force Harvest.
Collection of weapons
The weapons collection points were set up under the instruction of the British TFH commander near the areas where the UCK-M had been active before the ceasefire had come into force. The collection and registration of the weapons began on 27 August and ended on 26 September 2001. Almost immediately after collection, the weapons were destroyed by EOD personnel.
Dutch security
The Dutch company’s main task was to guard the collection points where British units were taking care of the actual collection. The Dutch personnel also assisted with the transportation of the confiscated weapons and helped to provide security for the temporary storage. On 26 September, the Dutch government decided not to prolong the (military) presence in Macedonia and on the same day the company's attachment to the British battalion came to an end. Most of the personnel returned to the Netherlands on 2 October.