INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MINE-CLEARING BEGINS IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Sept 29 (Hina) - An international conference on mine- clearing began in Zagreb on Monday in the organization of the Croatian ministries of the interior and defense, the Croatian KOREMA Communications Association, and the Polytechnic University from Lausanne. The three-day conference gathers 130 participants from 25 countries who will discuss the organization of mine-clearing, possibilities of applying existing technologies for the detection and clearing of mines, and analyze the usability and development of new technologies. The conference was opened by Croatian Assistant Interior Minister Miljenko Bukovac, who spoke about the consequences of the Serb aggression on Croatia, with special stress, as he said, on "mine pollution". First estimates show some three million mines were planted in Croatia, he said. Bukovac pointed out Croatia had passed a special law on mine-clearing and introduced the highest world standards in civil mine-clearing. Bukovac's introductory speech was followed by expert discussions on mine-clearing. A visit to the Cerovac army range near Karlovac (50 km south-west of Zagreb) is expected during the day, where the participants in the conference will be shown mine- clearing equipment and procedures. (hina) ha mm 291114 MET sep 97