NINE BILLION KUNA NEEDED FOR MINE REMOVAL IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, June 13 (Hina) - Some nine billion kuna are needed for Croatia to be cleared of mines by the year 2010, Josip Tulicic, an assistant to the director of the Croatian Mine Action Centre, said on Tuesday. Commenting on the fact that 65 million kuna of budgetary funds will be set aside for demining, Tulicic said one should consider using professional soldiers and police forces in demining as it would reduce costs and speed up the removal of mines. "We should earmark some nine billion kuna, or 800 million kuna annually, so that by 2010 the national programme of demining could be completed," Tulicic said. Almost 24 square kilometres of area were cleared of mines in Croatia in 1999, and the percentage of mine victims was reduced by 36 percent in relation to the year before, Tulicic said submitting the 1999 report of the Mine Action Centre to the House of Counties. The upper house supported the report and the majority of MPs sought more budgetary funds for demining. The upper house also supported changes to the Law on Mine Removal enabling all those who suffered injuries in mine removal activities to use part of the rights from the Law on Croatian Homeland War Soldiers. (hina) mm rml