The value of mine removal from farmland in Matesko Selo and Prodanovici is HRK 1,129,941 (approximately US$ 21,000), the American Chamber in Croatia (AmCham) reported.
Present at today's ceremony in Matesko Selo were the ambassadors, James B. Foley of the United States and Edwin L. Loughlin of Canada, as the funds for this purpose were mainly secured at a charity dinner organised by the American and Canadian embassies and AmCham in Zagreb last year. The funds raised on that occasion were redoubled by the International Trust Fund for Humanitarian Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF).
Ambassador Foley pledged the continuation of assistance in de-mining. He recalled that since 2002 his country had donated more than $2.8 million to Karlovac, making more than 2.2 square kilometres in that county safe for local residents.
Ambassador Loughlin spoke about Canada's support for de-mining initiatives.
Markusic announced a new fund-raising dinner for 14 October this year in Zagreb.
Croatia still has 792 square kilometres of mine-suspected areas in 101 towns and municipalities in 12 counties.
Karlovac County has reduced mine-suspected areas to 68.8 square kilometres.
Since 1998, a total of 230 mine-related incidents in Croatia have resulted in 308 casualties, including 113 deaths.