MINE CLEARING CENTRE AND INVALIDS' ALLIANCE AGREE ON COOPERATION

SISAK, Oct 21 (Hina) - The Croatian Centre for Mine Clearing (HCR) and the Croatian Alliance of Invalids' Societies (HSUTI) will cooperate in raising the level of quality of life of about 500 persons injured by mines during the Serb aggression against Croatia and after the Homeland War. HCR Director Damir Gorseta and HSUTI president Mirjana Dobranovic signed a letter of intent in Sisak (about 50km southeast of Zagreb) on Wednesday . It is necessary to establish a department of victims of mines who will support and provide help to mine victims and families of persons killed by mines. The department will pay particular attention to support for persons who had been heavily injured and remained invalids, notwithstanding whether they have families or not. The victims of mines are mostly farmers who had no choice but to farm the land after returning to their home towns after years of exile, Dobranovic said. The basic task of the HCR is to make sure that the number of mine victims decreases as much as possible, Gorseta said. There is a service at the Centre which will, with the cooperation of other humanitarian associations, such as the Alliance of Invalids, gather data about mine victims, their quality of life, and will suggest measures for helping these people. (hina) lml jn