MINE DISPOSAL OPERATION UNDER WAY IN WESTERN SLAVONIA

PAKRAC, July 25 (Hina) - Major General Slavko Baric, the Croatian president's military envoy to the government office for the Serb-occupied areas of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Srijem, visited the Western Slavonia village of Kusonje on Thursday to inspect the progress of mine disposal operations which began ten days ago. Under an agreement between the Croatian government amd the UN High Commission for Refugees, a pilot project for the return of refugees gives priority to Kusonje and the Eastern Slavonia villages of Bilje, Antunovac and Ernestinovo, which must be cleared of mines before the reconstruction and return processes begins. The mine disposal operation was being carried out by Croatian Army 124th Brigade teams, Baric said, adding that it was a difficult job because there were no maps showing the exact location of mines laid by rebel Serb forces. The area and houses were being cleared of mines in consultation with Serb citizens wishing to return to Western Slavonia who were now living in the occupied areas of eastern Croatia. Some of the houses had been cleared and were now being repaired, he said. Kusonje was also visted by Mirko Tankosic, deputy head of the Croatian government office for the occupied areas, who said that Croatia was making every effort to facilitate the reconstruction of war-damaged areas and the return of all people who wanted to return to their homes. (hina) vm 251847 MET jul 96