DRAFT MINE REMOVAL ACT DISCUSSED BY EXPERTS

SISAK, Sept 15 (Hina) - The implementation of a rule book on mine removal and a new draft act on demining were main topics of Friday's meeting which was held by the Sisak-based Mine Removal Centre (HCR), unionists, the society of engineers for humanitarian demining, competent firms, officials from the Croatian Defence and Interior Ministries and international mission for assistance in demining - UNMAP and WEADUM. The HCR head, Damir Gorseta, said this centre accepted all remarks and objections which mine removal experts and other workers had given about the implementation of the rule book and about the conditions of the work and their rights. He added the centre responded to the objections and proposals in line with its possibilities, explaining that this meeting was convened in Sisak in order that relevant factors could elaborate a system of demining. Gorseta briefed the meeting's participants about the draft act on mine clearance, which was proposed by the Interior Ministry. The act will not be launched into further procedure until all participants in the humanitarian demining give their opinion and until the Government responds to the remarks, he added. The head of mine clearance experts' union, Antun Vincentic, insisted that the new law should regulate the status of those workers and firms. They also urge that their years of services be doubled and that security conditions be enhanced. During this meeting, a joint commission was established in charge of preparing remarks to the draft law. (hina) ms