PANEL HELD ON CHILDREN IN MINE-INFESTED ENVIRONMENTS

SKABRNJA, Sept 11 (Hina) - Currently there are some 1.2 million mines planted underground throughout Croatia, the assistant manager of the Croatian Demining Centre, Josip Tulicic, said in Skabrnja, central Croatia, on Friday addressing a panel on children in mine-infested environments. "Where these mines are planted is often unknown to us," he said at the panel at which teachers showed local children mines, explaining how each is activated, and pointing to signs indicating mine- fields. According to Tulicic, data on mined areas was scarce until the government in February 1998 established the Croatian Demining Centre, which gathers all information on mined areas and mine- clearing equipment, and develops mine-clearing technology. In the last four years, Zadar County has been the most represented in the demining programme, Tulicic said, adding that according to the number of mines, it is the fourth county in Croatia, behind Vukovar-Srijem County, Sisak-Moslavina County, and Karlovac County. Skabrnja municipal head Mladen Skara said mined areas remained one of the biggest issues in the area because it prevented people from going on with farming. Skara also reminded that six people were killed, including two children, because of mines in the area. (hina) ha