ZAGREB, April 7 (Hina) - The removal of mines from yards and other areas around family houses, farmland and local utility infrastructure is priority in this year's demining plan adopted by the Croatian government last Thursday.
According to the plan, a total of 41,754,088 square metres will be combed by mine removal experts. For this purpose some 509 million kuna (approximately 60.5 million US dollars) should be earmarked. At present 343.4 million kuna are ensured for the demining of 27,215,250 square metres. Mine removal experts are going to clear mines from yards and villages in the war-hit counties of Vukovar-Sirmium, Sisak-Moslavina, Sibenik-Knin and Karlovac. The emphasis will be also given to the demining of arable land, local water management systems and canals. At the second stages, mines will be removed from facilities of the Croatian Power Industry (transmission lines), the railway line, the nat
ZAGREB, April 7 (Hina) - The removal of mines from yards and other
areas around family houses, farmland and local utility
infrastructure is priority in this year's demining plan adopted by
the Croatian government last Thursday.
According to the plan, a total of 41,754,088 square metres will be
combed by mine removal experts. For this purpose some 509 million
kuna (approximately 60.5 million US dollars) should be earmarked.
At present 343.4 million kuna are ensured for the demining of
27,215,250 square metres.
Mine removal experts are going to clear mines from yards and
villages in the war-hit counties of Vukovar-Sirmium, Sisak-
Moslavina, Sibenik-Knin and Karlovac.
The emphasis will be also given to the demining of arable land,
local water management systems and canals.
At the second stages, mines will be removed from facilities of the
Croatian Power Industry (transmission lines), the railway line,
the national Water Management, telephone lines and the Adriatic oil
pipe-line. Most of those projects refer to the demining of roads in
Lika-Senj and Zadar counties and the future sections of a motorway
to the south of Croatia as well as to regional roads in Vukovar and
Osijek areas.
The plan envisages the demining of industrial plants, and great
areas of farmland in eastern Slavonia, for example.
This year the plan also covers natural parks and a segment along the
borderline with Hungary and the frontier with Montenegro.
According to the plan drawn up by the Croatian Mine Action Centre
(HCR), 353 kilometres of mine fields should be marked and local
population educated about threats and dangers in order to reduce
the number of landmine victims.
Last year, nine (9) persons died and 13 sustained injures in blasts
of landmines in Croatia. In 2000, approximately $22 million were
spent for the demining which was carried out by 13 companies and the
Interior Ministry's special units.
Croatia is planning to remove all mines in next ten years.
(hina) ms