DEMINING GOING ON IN CROATIA

BILJE, March 15 (Hina) - During the next period of demining of the eastern Croatian natural park "Kopacki Rit", priority will be given to removal of mines from dams and ditches important for prevention of floods, said the Croatian Mine Action Centre (HRC) council chairman, Drazen Budisa, who on Thursday toured the park and the nearby town of Bilje together with the HRC head, Damir Gorseta, and a Foreign Minister special adviser on demining, Dijana Plestina. These officials held a meeting with the natural park's management. On that occasion Budisa said it would also be very important to demine the Drava Dam along the border-line with Hungary, the dam beside the entrance to the park and meadows called Kovaceve Livade, the area around the Sakadas lake, and the Podravlje-Kopacevo embankment and Lorencov Bridge. The participants in the meeting said a loan from the World Bank and budgetary means would be insufficient for such a plan and therefore it would be necessary to intensify bids to collect donations, particularly from abroad. The financial backing could be thus ensured via the "Mine-Free Croatia" Fund programmes. Kopacki Rit, covering 17,700 hectares, is a typical example of central European marshland which is almost intact. It is the habitat of rare and endangered birds such as rooks or black storks. (hina) sb ms