BRUSSELS, June 27 (Hina) - In April 1996 Croatia joined countries which decided to ban the production, traffic, storage and use of anti- personnel mines, Croatian Ambassador to Belgium and UN, Janko Vranyzany- Dobrinovic told
attendants of a conference convened to prepare the terrain for a new Convention on global mine ban.
BRUSSELS, June 27 (Hina) - In April 1996 Croatia joined countries which
decided to ban the production, traffic, storage and use of anti-
personnel mines, Croatian Ambassador to Belgium and UN, Janko Vranyzany-
Dobrinovic told attendants of a conference convened to prepare the
terrain for a new Convention on global mine ban. #L#
Among delegations of 120 countries is the Croatian delegation.
"The intent to ban all anti-personnel mines is the firm stance of
my country. Although we were the victims of aggression in 1991, the
consequences of which we still feel, we, as a country affected with the
problem of mines, in April 1996, declared moratorium on their use,
production, traffic and stocking," Vranyzany-Dobrinovic said.
"My country has never produced nor traded mines, and the existing
amount found in the barracks of the former Yugoslav People's Army, will
be destroyed," he stressed.
Vranyzany-Dobrinovic informed the participants of the conference
about the estimate that about three million mines had been laid in
Croatia, adding that they were "a big encumbrance to Croatia, which not
only was a threat to human lives, mainly to civilians and children, but
also caused great problems in the process of return of refugees and
displaced persons".
Mines were the cause of losses in economy, especially agriculture,
Vranyzany-Dobrinovic said. After having informed the attendants about
the mine disposal process, Vranyzany-Dobrinovic appealed for foreign
help.
"By supporting this one, Croatia does not want to restrict the
efforts of other international initiatives, such as the suggestion that
the Conference on disarmament be chosen as forum for negotiations. All
ideas must be welcome and compatible, not competitive," Vranyzany-
Dobrinovic said, adding that it was the stance of Croatia that
agreement, the so-called Ottawa Process, offered more flexibility and
headed to a faster mine ban.
"The solution offered by this conference is very practical, which
is to gather countries supporting the mine ban as members of the
process, and the rest as observers," Vranyzany-Dobrinovic concluded,
announcing Croatia's complete cooperation during the new round of talks
in Oslo in September.
(hina) lm
271240 MET jun 97