ICRC ANNOUNCES FUTURE ACTIVITIES IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Nov 23 (Hina) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1999 intends to complete projects it started in 1991 with the aim to offer humanitarian aid and protect civilians in former conflict areas, the ICRC Office in Zagreb said in a statement on Monday. The decision to make changes in the work programme was influenced by the standing presence of national and international organisations whose mandate, said the statement, covers more directly the monitoring of human rights in post-war surroundings. As a result, in late 1998 the ICRC will close offices in Knin, Vojnic, and Beli Manastir. The ICRC believes this region is still burdened with many problems requiring resolution, and calls on all relevant national and international bodies to continue with their activities in offering protection and assistance. The ICRC will coordinate future humanitarian activities from offices in Zagreb and Vukovar, and will include activities related to persons captured in the recent conflicts, aimed at assisting missing persons' families, and a local community programmes on mine danger counselling. The ICRC intends to further support cooperation with the Croatian Red Cross and promote universal humanitarian principles, the statement concluded. (hina) ha