UPPER HOUSE CALLS FOR SPEEDIER MINE REMOVAL

( Editorial: --> 9346 ) ZAGREB, March 13 (Hina) - The removal of mines is a precondition for a speedier return of people and everything should be done to increase the funds intended for that purpose, MPs in the Croatian Parliament's House of Counties said on Friday. The Upper House today discussed changes to the Law on Mine-Removal, which is in the first reading. They supported the bill on changes to the law and proposed that the Government set priorities and keep informing Parliament about the course of mine-removal and spent funds. The bill on mine-removal envisages the implementation of de-mining in line with a Plan on De-Mining, which would be adopted by the Government. Domestic and foreign companies could carry out the de-mining. The Upper House warned that this year's budgetary funds for de- mining were too small. They amount to some US$14 million, of which some US$8 million will be secured with a World Bank loan for the de- mining of roads. Ante Dzelalija of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) warned of the seriousness of the problem, adding that "the Serbs sowed around one million mines" in the area of Sibenik County alone. Some 50 mine fields have been registered and 60 per cent remain undetected. Some 30 people were victims in live mine explosions. Tereza Ganza-Aras of the Liberal Party (LS) believes that the problem of mined areas should be raised to the international level, and that its solution should be accelerated in cooperation with government and non-government organisations. Other MPs supported her proposal, adding that only one per cent of mined areas have been cleared so far. The Upper House supported without discussion bills on confirming agreements between Croatia and Yugoslavia on legal assistance in civil and penal matters, and on confirming a consular convention between Croatia and Macedonia. (hina) jn rm/mrb 131649 MET mar 98