Cain Kenneth - Emergency Sex (And Other Desperate Measures)

CONTENTS

To the Memories of Marc-Arthur and Kai

And to our parents

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Epub ISBN 9781446408254

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First published in the US by Miramax Books 2004
First published in Great Britain by Ebury Press 2005

This edition published 2006

Text Kenneth Cain, Heidi Postlewait and Andrew Thompson 2004

Kenneth Cain, Heidi Postlewait and Andrew Thompson have asserted their rights to be identified as the authors of this work under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright owners.

The publisher and authors would like to thank Anvil Press Poetry for permission to reprint the poem Posthumous Rehabilitation from Tadeusz Rozewicz:
They Came to See A Poet translated by Adam Czerniawski, 1991

Mama, Youve Got A Daughter written by John Lee Hooker.
Copyright 1958, 1986 King of Boogie Music (BMI)/Administered by BUG.
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

September 1, 1939 copyright 1940 & renewed 1968 by W.H. Auden, from Collected Poems by W.H. Auden. Used by permission of Random House, Inc.

In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel, Real World Music, Ltd.) Used with permission of Lipservices Music Publishing, Brooklyn, NY. All Rights Reserved.

Two Princes copyright 1991 Sony/ATV LLC, Mow, BJow Music, Inc. and Troubadour 12 Music. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, 8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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Its the early 1990s and three young people are looking to change their lives, and perhaps also the world. Attracted to the ambitious global peacekeeping work of the UN, Andrew, Ken and Heidis paths cross in Cambodia, from where their fates are to become inextricably bound. Over the coming years, their stories interweave through countries such as Rwanda, Bosnia, Somalia and Haiti war-torn, lawless places where the intervention of the UN is needed like nowhere else. Driven by idealism, the three struggle to do the best they can, caught up in an increasingly tangled web of bureaucracy and ineffectual leadership. As disillusionment sets in, they attempt to keep hold of their humanity through black humour, revelry and emergency sex.

Brutal and moving in equal measure, Emergency Sex (And Other Desperate Measures) explores pressing global issues while never losing a sense of the personal. Deeply critical of the Wests indifference to developing countries and the UNs repeated failure to intervene decisively, the book provoked massive controversy on its initial publication. Kofi Annan called for the book to be banned, and debate was sparked about the future direction of the UN. Brilliantly written and mordantly funny, it is a book that continues to make waves.

Heidi Postlewait, Kenneth Cain & Andrew Thomson served in peacekeeping operations throughout the 90s. All are now based in New York.

Everything in these pages is true as we experienced it, perceived it, and remember it. The book does not, however, pretend to be about the nuances of international politics, and we are not claiming objective historical, journalistic, or academic accuracy. The work is derived from our official memos, personal diaries, letters home, and memories some many years after the fact. These pages therefore include all the subjective distortions and revisions we told ourselves, our friends, and our bosses. We have changed the names and identities of lovers, acquaintances, and colleagues. We have telescoped time, adjusted the sequence of events, and altered minor facts in some passages to help render the progression of our lives and missions more understandable. We have not artificially re-created dialogue; instead we have simply reported conversations as we remember them. Dialogue that does appear in quotes indicates a more distinct recollection of specific words and phrases.

United Nations peacekeeping operations in the 1990s used a security threat designation system proceeding in descending order from Condition Alpha to Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo. Condition Alpha is All Clear; Bravo means that some caution is warranted, no immediate threat but follow normal security protocols; Charlie indicates a direct threat, either seek shelter at your duty station or relocate in an orderly manner away from danger; Delta signifies a substantial deterioration, all activities suspended, lockdown wherever you are, only movements necessary to stay alive are advised; and Echo is the end of the line, evacuate urgently to save your life. Return to Normal means the threat has subsided.

Now, we can see a new world coming into view. A world in which there is the very real prospect of a new world order. In the words of Winston Churchill, a world order in which the principles of justice and fair play protect the weak against the strong A world where the United Nations, freed from Cold War stalemate, is poised to fulfill the historic vision of its founders. A world in which freedom and respect for human rights find a home among all nations. The Gulf War put this new world to its first test. And, my fellow Americans, we passed that test.

President George H. W. Bush, address to Joint Session of Congress, at the end of the Gulf War, March 6, 1991.

My husbands colleagues dont believe he has a wife since I never show up at any of their events. Hes an agent, represents models, and theres always a party somewhere. Hes been cheerfully making the rounds of holiday celebrations around town, solo and without much complaint, but I know hed like me to join him. So, in a gesture of goodwill, I agree to attend the agencys annual Christmas party.

I started dragging myself up and down the avenues of New York City a month ago, abhorring every minute of my search for the perfect little black fuck-me dress. I dont want to stand out at the party like the Bowery social worker I am. I figure if Im dressed like the models, I can at least blend in. Little black dresses are camouflage in that world.

The salespeople were good sports about it. They looked me over in my old jeans, muddy boots, and ski parka, and took it on as a challenge. A little makeup, honey, and youll look dynamite. My mother says the same thing.