FARMLAND DEMINING PROJECT PRESENTED IN SISAK

SISAK, Feb 27 (Hina) - The "BASF Croatia" company, which sells crop- protection agents, and the Croatian Mine Action Centre's (HCR) foundation called "Croatia Without Mines" on Thursday presented a joint project aimed at demining fields and then handing them over to farmers. #L# There are currently 560 square kilometres of farmland that is possibly mined, of which 200 square kilometres is fertile. The foundation's head, Branko Bosnjak, said the foundation would provide all the necessary logistical support. HCR assistant director, Nikola Gambiroza, said the Centre would provide technical support and determine priority surfaces to be demined. Bosnjak also informed reporters of another mine-clearing action which started a month ago. This is a joint project by the Sisak branch of the Agency of Local Democracy (Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities) and the Italian region of Veneto, called "I, too, can clear a square metre of mines". People can buy coupons at a price of one euro to support the project. So far, EUR50,000 has been collected. Italy is very interested in the project, and the HCR and its foundation have received calls from England and Germany, which are also interested in organising such a humanitarian action, said Bosnjak. (hina) lml