SFOR HAS REMOVED CLOSE TO 10,500 MINES IN BH ( Editorial: --> 2182 )

( Editorial: --> 2182 ) MOSTAR, Nov 19 (Hina) - Close to 10,500 anti-personal and anti-tank mines have been removed and neutralized during the Multinational Division South East-monitored "Summer mine clearing campaign" which began in March, the NATO-led Stabilization Force said in a statement on Wednesday. The mines were cleared by 16 teams of formerly conflicted factions. Twenty-six soldiers were injured during the process, of whom six died, the statement said. The most sensitive clearing locations were Sarajevo, Mostar and Konjic. The statement said that in winter time, de-mining operations would be reduced, but time would be dedicated to the training of mine- clearing expert teams, the reconnaissance and mapping of mined areas to be cleared next summer, and the exchange of information to determine the presence of mines in lesser known areas. (hina) ha 192101 MET nov 97