PRIME MINISTER HANDS MINE-CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE IN SKABRNJA

SKABRNJA, June 15 (Hina) - Croatian prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Tuesday handed Skabrnja municipal leaders a certificate that the area of three million squared metres was free of mines. More than 50 per cent of areas in Skabrnja which have been mined have now been cleared. For this project more than DM4 million have been invested from the state budget, which is more than the overall Zadar County budget. "I am saying this not because of you or Skabrnja, but for those who will hear this via the media. I wish for them to understand the enormity of efforts the state is investing into making possible the return of people to liberated areas," Matesa said. Skabrnja -- in which the former Yugoslav Peoples' Army killed 42 civilians in 1991 -- is a symbol of resistance and suffering, but also of reconstruction, return and development, Matesa said. Director of the Croatian Mine-Clearing Centre, Damir Gorseta, stressed the mine-clearing job in Skabrnja had been one of the most demanding in Croatia. In the past three years, "Mungos" employees have worked with dogs, detectors and machines, and have removed about 2,000 various mines and explosive devices. After the clearance, the Centre checked 20 per cent of the area, and not one mine or explosive device has been found. Therefore, the area can be turned over to the residents. After the liberation of southern Croatia in 1995, seven Skabrnja residents were killed and 12 injured from mines. Among the injured were two children. (hina) lml jn