MORE THAN 757 SQUARE KILOMETRES OF LAND STILL CONTAMINATED BY MINES

SARAJEVO, JULY 7 /SRNA/ – More than 757 square kilometres of land in BiH remain contaminated by landmines, read the data from the BiH Mine Action Centre /BHMAC/ presented today at a meeting of the Donor Committee for Mine Action.

Representatives of international donors and partner organisations reaffirmed their continued support for mine action efforts in BiH. Last year, 52.43 square kilometres of land were cleared of mines, i.e. approximately 70 percent. During the first six months of this year, 17 square kilometres were returned to safe use. Dubravka Bošnjak, Minister of Civil Affairs in the Council of Ministers, said the results indicate a certain degree of progress but remain insufficient to meet the obligations that have been undertaken. "The plan must not be merely a collection of individual expectations, but implementable document based on which the performance of every participant in the process can be measured," Bošnjak said, stressing the need for more realistic planning. The line ministry said that the reduction in international funding, together with the withdrawal of several international organisations that had long provided significant support to the demining process, has further increased the responsibility of local institutions and all levels of government in BiH. The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme /UNDP/, in cooperation with the BiH Mine Action Centre /BHMAC/ and the BiH Demining Commission.