MINE CLEARING IN E. CROATIA HAS SLOWED DOWN

( Editorial: --> 2822 ) OSIJEK, Feb 18 (Hina) - The clearing of mines in the Danube river region of eastern Croatia has slowed down, the president of the Government's commission for mine-clearing, Major General Slavko Baric, told Hina Wednesday. The establishment of the Croatian centre for mines, which should deal with the matter in an organised way, is taking too much time, Baric said. Insufficient funds have been ensured in the state budget for the purchase of bigger machines and equipment necessary for mine- clearing, he added. The Major General announced the formation of smaller mine-clearing units within the Croatian army, adding the marking of minefields would begin any day now. It is estimated there are between 250,000 and 300,000 mines and unexploded devices in eastern Croatia, Baric told Hina, pointing out the clearing should be carried out daily by 200 men. Judging by last year's mine-clearing tempo, the process should be completed in five-six years, the he said, but believed that due to current difficulties, it could take up ten years or more. Due to lack of funds, mine-clearing will not be performed in the eastern region of Baranja, only minefields will be marked, Baric said. He pointed out that difficulties in mine-clearing were not evident only in eastern Croatia, but in western Slavonia and other regions as well. A lot remained to be done so that refugees may be able to return in greater number, Baric concluded. (hina) ha jn 181346 MET feb 98