Key developments since May 2003: In 2003, 285 million square meters
of mine-affected and mine-suspected land were released to communities, through
survey reduction and clearance (28.5 million square meters). A total of 35,475
square meters of land was marked. A total of 28,060 people received mine risk
education training and an estimated 90,000 people were exposed to mine risk
education messages. In 2003, Croatia spent about $42.7 million on mine action,
a decrease from 2002. Croatia has served as co-chair of the Standing Committee
on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration since September 2003.
Croatia has offered to host the next annual Meeting of States Parties of the
Mine Ban Treaty. In October 2003, the Croatian company Agencija Alan reportedly
offered for sale the TMRP-6 mine equipped with a tilt rod; the ICBL believes
this mine is banned. Croatia has indicated its willingness to discuss the
destruction of its stocks of the TMRP-6.
Key developments since 1999: Croatia became a State Party to the Mine
Ban Treaty in March 1999. Croatia has played an active role in the global
effort to ban antipersonnel mines for many years, hosting regional landmine
conferences in Zagreb in June 1999 and Dubrovnik in October 2002. Croatia
completed destruction of its stockpile of almost 200,000 antipersonnel mines in
October 2002, well in advance of the treaty deadline of 1 March 2003. Stockpile
destruction has included 20,000 mines collected from civilians under the
“Farewell to Arms” program. Initially, Croatia announced that it
would retain 17,500 antipersonnel mines, but in December 2000 reduced this to
approximately 7,000. Croatia served as co-rapporteur then co-chair of the
Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction from September 2000 to September
2002. It has served as co-rapporteur then co-chair of the Standing Committee on
Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration from September 2002 until
December 2004. National legislation implementing the Mine Ban Treaty, in
preparation since late 2000, has still not been adopted, although penal
sanctions for violations already exist in Croatian law. Antipersonnel mines
have occasionally been used in criminal activities in Croatia. Croatia became a
party to CCW Amended Protocol II in October 2002.
Since 1999, approximately 444 square kilometers of mine-affected and
mine-suspected land has been released to the community through survey reduction
(about 70 percent) and clearance (about 30 percent). Since 1999, approximately
$160 million has been expended on mine action by CROMAC. CROMAC recorded 160
new mine/UXO casualties between 1999 and July 2004. In October 2001, the
Croatian Mine Victims Association was established.
Mine Ban Policy
The Republic of Croatia signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997 and
ratified it on 20 May 1998, becoming a State Party on 1 March 1999. Croatia was
an early supporter of a mine ban, and took part in all of the Ottawa Process
preparatory meetings and the treaty negotiations in 1997.
National legislation establishing a body to monitor implementation of the
Mine Ban Treaty, mentioned in Croatia’s first Article 7 report of
September 1999, remains in preparation. An official told Landmine Monitor, it
is expected to be put before Parliament in late
2004.[1] A media report said the
Defense Minister on 16 September presented a “final government-sponsored
bill” banning antipersonnel mines to the
Parliament.[2] Croatia has
stated that, even without the legislation, penal sanctions for violations of the
Mine Ban Treaty already exist in Croatian
law.[3]
Croatia has been very active in the Mine Ban Treaty work program, attending
all annual Meetings of States Parties and intersessional meetings. At the Fifth
Meeting of States Parties in September 2003, Croatia described the Mine Ban
Treaty as establishing a new international norm, which more than two-thirds of
the world’s countries have already joined. Looking forward to the Review
Conference, Croatia said that the work of the treaty must become more attuned to
the actual needs of the mine action
community.[4]
At the Fifth Meeting, Croatia became co-chair of the Standing Committee on
Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, having served as
co-rapporteur the previous year. Croatia also served as co-rapporteur then
co-chair of the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction from September 2000
to September 2002. Members of the Croatian Mine Action Center (CROMAC) have
attended intersessional meetings, and Croatia has presented regular updates on
stockpile destruction, mine clearance, mine action funding and victim
assistance.
During a preparatory meeting in June 2004 for the Mine Ban Treaty’s
first Review Conference, Croatia offered to host the next annual Meeting of
States Parties. The offer was welcomed by numerous countries. A formal
decision on the date and location of the next annual meeting is expected to be
made at the Review Conference in Nairobi 29 November-3 December 2004.
Croatia submitted its annual Article 7 report on 18 June 2004. This includes
the voluntary Form J, which reports mine casualties during 2003 and mine victim
assistance programs. Five previous Article 7 reports have been
submitted.[5]
Croatia has sought to universalize the Mine Ban Treaty and has been
particularly active in promoting the treaty in Southeast Europe, hosting
regional landmine conferences in Zagreb in June 1999 and Dubrovnik in October
2002, as well as participating in regional conferences in Hungary in March 1998
and Slovenia in June 2000. During general debate in the Conference on
Disarmament (CD) in February 2004, Croatia called on all States which had not
yet done so to join the Mine Ban Treaty. It pointed out that more effort was
needed to rid the world of antipersonnel mines, as funding of mine action had
stagnated while there are new mine victims every
year.[6] In previous years,
Croatia has made similar contributions to UN
debates.[7] Since 1996, Croatia
has supported each of the annual pro-ban UN General Assembly resolutions.
Croatia has participated in the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe. In
2001, it co-chaired Working Table III which promotes regional cooperation on
mine action. In 2002, Croatia chaired the Pact’s Reay Group on Mine
Action, when victim assistance was added to the work of the Group. This led to
a needs assessment conducted by the Landmine
Monitor.[8]
In March 2004, Croatian representatives participated in a meeting on treaty
implementation hosted by the French Commission Nationale pour
l’Elimination des Mines Antipersonnel. In April 2004, the Croatian Mine
Action Center hosted an international symposium on humanitarian
demining.[9]
Croatia has rarely participated in the extensive States Parties discussions
during intersessional meetings on matters of interpretation and implementation
related to Articles 1, 2, and 3. It has, however, made its views known on some
of these issues related to joint military operations and ”assisting”
non-States Parties, antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes or antihandling
devices, and the permissible number of mines retained for training. Croatia
possesses antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes: TMRP-6 with tilt rods.
With regard to Article 1, the Ministry of Defense confirmed in April 2004
that Croatian soldiers are not allowed to use or assist in the use of
antipersonnel mines within Croatia or in other countries, including those not
party to the Mine Ban Treaty. This position was stated previously by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[10]
The two ministries have also both stated that, consistent with the Mine Ban
Treaty, the transit of antipersonnel mines across Croatian territory by other
States will not be
tolerated.[11]
With regard to Article 2 and antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes and
antihandling devices, in May 2003, Croatia declared that it does not possess
“antivehicle mines with antihandling devices that can be accidentally
activated by human touch.” However, it acknowledged,
“Croatia’s Armed Forces though do still have anti-vehicle mines
equipped with tilt-rods.... As it is certainly possible that TMRP-6 mines when
equipped with tilt-rods could be activated by a person, Croatia is prepared to
discuss this issue within the framework of Article 2 discussions of the
Convention.”[12]
In October 2003, the German Initiative to Ban Landmines reported that the
Croatian company Agencija Alan offered the TMRP-6 for sale at the IDEF weapons
exhibition in Ankara,
Turkey.[13] The ICBL believes
that the sale of TMRP-6 mines with tilt rods would constitute a violation of the
Mine Ban Treaty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was unaware of the case when
Landmine Monitor brought it to their
attention.[14]
Croatia is a State Party to Amended Protocol II of the Convention on
Conventional Weapons (CCW), and attended the Fifth Annual Conference of States
Parties in November 2003. It also attended the annual conference of States
Parties to the Protocol in 2002 and, as an observer, the annual conferences in
previous years. Croatia submitted the annual report as required by Article 13
of the Protocol on 29 September 2003, and also submitted a report in 2002.
Croatia has been actively engaged in discussions within the CCW on new measures
to deal with antivehicle mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), and
supported the new Protocol V on ERW agreed to in November
2003.[15]
Production, Transfer, and Use
Croatia has regularly stated that it did not produce antipersonnel mines in
the past.[16] None of the
former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia mine production facilities was
located in Croatia. Attempts to develop a mine production capacity during the
conflict in the early 1990s were
abandoned.[17]
There have been no reports of antipersonnel mines being imported or exported
by Croatia. However, as noted above, it is the view of the ICBL that any sale
of the TMRP-6 mine with tilt rods would constitute export of an antipersonnel
mine and be a violation of the Mine Ban Treaty.
Antipersonnel mines have on occasion been used in criminal activities in
Croatia. In 2003, the only incident that the Mine Action Center was aware of
resulted in injury to one
man.[18] In 2002, there were 15
cases of the criminal use of explosives, including mines, and in 2001 four cases
were reported of the use of antipersonnel mines (PMA-2s and PMA-3s). From
October 1995–October 1998, mines were used in ten terrorist or criminal
incidents.[19]
Stockpiling and Destruction
Croatia acquired its stockpile of antipersonnel mines by taking over Yugoslav
Army depots during the break-up of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
in the early 1990s. At entry into force of the Mine Ban Treaty, Croatia
reported possessing 198,649 antipersonnel mines, plus additional components.
This total was revised in later reports, due to more accurate information and
other factors.[20]
Croatia reported that destruction of 199,003 antipersonnel mines was
completed on 23 October 2002, well in advance of the Mine Ban Treaty’s
four-year deadline for Croatia of 1 March 2003. Six types of mine were
destroyed in three phases, and an additional 45,579 fuzes were destroyed. Total
cost of the destruction program, including some salaries, was €110,643
($105,111). It was completed without international financial
support.[21]
No additional stocks of antipersonnel mines were discovered in
2002–2003 after completion of the stockpile destruction
program.[22] However, mines
held by members of the population were collected under the Farewell to Arms
program from 30 June 1992 to 31 December 2002, and included in the stockpile
destruction program. In 2002, 16,507 mines were collected and, in 2001, 3,531
mines were collected. The program may be re-started, as many mines and other
munitions may remain in individual
possession.[23]
Croatia also possesses 19,076 MRUD Claymore-type directional fragmentation
mines, which it says cannot be activated by pressure or accidental contact. It
does not classify them as antipersonnel
mines.[24]
Initially, Croatia announced that it would retain 17,500 antipersonnel mines
under Article 3, but in December 2000 decided to reduce this to approximately
7,000.[25] At the end of 2002,
Croatia reported retaining 6,546 antipersonnel
mines.[26] At the end of 2003,
Croatia reported retaining 6,478 antipersonnel mines, and noted that during
2003, 268 mines were destroyed, including 200 mines incorrectly stated by the
previous Article 7 report to have been destroyed in 2002. Croatia reports that
CROMAC “took command of and used” these mines in the testing and
evaluation of demining
machines.[27]
Landmine Problem
Croatia reported that at the end of 2003, its known mined areas and suspected
mined areas totaled 1,354.5 square kilometers and included 419,442 antipersonnel
mines and 205,801 antivehicle mines. The known mined areas alone, based on
existing minefield records, were approximately 200 square kilometers, containing
166,741 antipersonnel mines of seven known types, 5,101 antipersonnel mines of
unknown types, and 101,621 antivehicle mines. In addition, there were 51
military bases totaling 4.5 square kilometers contaminated with 67,600
antipersonnel mines and 4,180 antivehicle mines. The area suspected of
mine-contamination covered 1,150 square kilometers, with 180,000 antipersonnel
mines and 100,000 antivehicle
mines.[28]
The landmine problem in Croatia is a result of conflict associated with the
break-up of the former Yugoslavia during the early 1990s. In the four years of
conflict in Croatia, mines were laid by all parties, mainly to protect defensive
positions on the lines of confrontation, which changed frequently, and also in
areas of strategic importance, such as railway lines, power stations, and
pipelines. Minefields and areas suspected of being contaminated with mines and
unexploded ordnance (UXO) are located in 14 of the 21 counties of Croatia. Four
of the counties are in the agriculturally-fertile region of Slavonia, which also
has oil and natural gas reserves.
In 1999, the total area affected by mines and UXO was estimated as 6,000
square kilometers, of which only 10 percent was thought to be actually
contaminated. In 2000, the estimate was reduced to 4,000 square kilometers, and
at the end of 2001 to 1,700 square kilometers, due to new mapping and surveying
as well as to clearance
operations.[29] At the end of
2002, 1,630 square kilometers were reported to be contaminated, containing
approximately 700,000 mines. Mine-suspected areas were reported to be often
unmarked or poorly marked.[30]
Mine Action Planning, Coordination and Prioritization
The Croatian Mine Action Center is responsible for mine action in Croatia.
It was set up in February 1998, taking over from the UN mine action center
established in 1996.[31] The UN
continued its involvement in Croatia, in a capacity-building role, until the UN
Mine Action Assistance Program (UNMAAP) ended in December 2001. CROMAC is based
in Sisak, has branch offices in Karlovac, Knin and Osijek, and regional
coordination centers. The head of CROMAC is appointed by the government, and
the CROMAC Council liaises with government. CROMAC’s duties include
marking and surveying of minefields, planning and assigning demining resources,
administering the tender and contract process, supervising projects and quality
control, maintaining data on mined areas and all operations, and financial
management. All mine clearance agencies must be registered by CROMAC. Many
local and foreign commercial companies have undertaken mine clearance contracts.
Special Police units have also carried out demining. In 2002, CROMAC became
responsible also for coordinating mine victim assistance and mine risk education
activities.[32]
CROMAC describes the planning of mine clearance activities as a mutually
interactive process with the users of cleared areas. Requests by cities,
municipalities, and public companies for clearance to be carried out are formed
into County Mine Action Plans. Donors may also place a mine clearance request.
CROMAC prepares annual plans based on these requests, for comment by various
ministries. The plan then requires approval by
parliament.[33] In November
2003, a UNDP-funded assessment of CROMAC’s management capacity was carried
out by an independent
consultancy.[34]
The national mine action plan approved in October 2000 identified the need to
increase clearance capacity in order to meet
targets.[35] By 2003, CROMAC
had increased the number of demining companies involved to 45 (1999: 12; 2000:
17; 2001: 23: 2002: 39) and the average cost of clearance had fallen to roughly
€0.88 (KN6.69 – approximately US$1) per square meter (€2.6 in
1998, €1.77 in 2001).[36]
There were 781 deminers, 94 mine detecting dogs and 41 mine clearance machines
as of September 2003. In contrast, in 2000 there were 450 deminers, 18 dogs and
nine machines.[37]
Additionally, the armed forces have a demining battalion responsible for
clearance of the military areas that are mined. Croatia reported in 2003 that
its army demining battalion was preparing units to be contributed to UN
operations and NATO Partnership for Peace
projects.[38]
The deadline set by Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty for Croatia to complete
the destruction of all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction
or control is 1 March 2009. The national mine action program stated the aim of
making Croatia mine-free by
2010.[39] This plan, announced
in late 2000, was due to be revised in 2004 to develop a 2004–2009 mine
action plan, following survey of all mine-affected and mine-suspected areas, in
order to ensure that Croatia meets the treaty
deadline.[40]
CROMAC’s mine action plan for 2004 calls for release of 40 square
kilometers by demining and technical survey, defining all mine-suspected areas
and fully marking them, creating the new mine information system (pending from
2003) and a new mine action program, and intensifying mine risk education and
international
cooperation.[41]
Mine Clearance, Survey and Marking
In 2003, 284,527,081 square meters of mine-affected and mine-suspected land
were released to communities, which exceeded CROMAC’s plan to release
110,557,700 square meters. A total of 28,495,615 square meters were released
through clearance operations, 3,833,086 square meters through technical survey,
and the great majority (252,198,380 square meters) through general
survey.[42] The area demined in
2003 (28,495,615 square meters) was similar to what was planned (28,847,700
square meters) and less than what was demined in 2002 (31,014,641 square
meters).[43] CROMAC reported
that a drop in donor funding in early 2003 and diversion of the budget to
non-mine-related matters affected demining
projects.[44] One donor, the
International Trust Fund for Demining and Victims Assistance (ITF), also cited a
“lack of expediency” in the assigning of demining tasks it was
funding.[45]
Clearance and technical survey was carried out by 24 commercial companies
(27,530,614 square meters demined), Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) (471,263
square meters demined), and army units (493,738 square meters
demined).[46] In 2002,
commercial companies carried out more clearance (30,460,828 square meters), as
did army units (67,359 square meters), while NPA carried out less (317,363
square meters).[47] CROMAC does
not report on the types of land actually cleared in 2003. Its plan was to
concentrate on survey and demining of farmland, infrastructure, and
forest.[48]
During 2003, 7,680 antipersonnel mines, 4,481 antivehicle mines, and 43,922
items of UXO were found, according to the Article 7 report, or 3,931
antipersonnel mines, 2,879 antivehicle mines, and 21,049 UXO, according to
CROMAC.[49] These data compare
with the location and detection in 2002 of 4,172 antipersonnel mines, 3,700
antivehicle mines and 94,962 UXO, which were large increases from
2001.[50]
In two regions, the plan was not implemented because it was discovered during
general survey that large forested areas were mined and could not be released.
Inexplicably, in other regions, more land was released by concentrating on roads
(which were not suspected of being mined) rather than agricultural land where
the mine-risk is highest.[51]
In other areas, the plan was not achieved due to expected funding by public
utilities not being supplied. Clearance of the borders with Montenegro and
Bosnia and Herzegovina was not carried out due to a lack of expected funding
from the US.[52] Clearance of
mines on the Prevlaka peninsula was completed successfully by Croatian and
Montenegrin teams.[53]
Of the total land demined, 26,033,049 square meters was given final quality
control supervision in 2003, with the rest to be given final supervision in
2004. During operations, 2,108 supervision visits were made, and 253 final
checks were made on 1,842 control samples of land (1.33
percent).[54]
Since 1999, approximately 444 square kilometers of mine-affected and
mine-suspected land has been released to the community, with the proportion of
this being released due to clearance activities varying widely from year to
year. Types of land prioritized for survey and clearance have changed since
1999, from predominantly housing and streets, to infrastructure, agriculture and
land designated for returning
refugees.[55]
Croatia Mine Action and Survey Results:
1999–2003[56]
Year:
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Total
Area (square kilometers)
23.61
32.98
42.35
60.39
284.53
443.86
Percentage demined
60
30
32
51
10
Before 1999, the Croatian army was primarily responsible for mine clearance.
It cleared 34.5 million square meters in 1995–1997. In 1998 the law was
changed to allow greater involvement of private agencies and the
government-owned mine clearance agency AKD
Mungos.[57] Mungos has been the
operator responsible for most of the mine clearance, but in recent years it has
accounted for smaller percentages (2003: 27.5 percent, 2002: 40 percent, 2001:
53 percent), as commercial companies have increased
capacity.[58]
NPA is the only NGO accredited by CROMAC to conduct mine clearance in
Croatia, and the only organization outside CROMAC accredited to conduct general
and technical survey. Unlike commercial companies, which are the main mine
clearance operators in Croatia, NPA is able to take on projects in smaller
areas, difficult terrain or remote locations, which have social benefits but may
not be profitable. NPA is also distinctive in introducing an integrated
approach to mine action, including impact assessment, mine risk education,
survey and marking.
As part of a multi-year project, in 2003 NPA carried out general survey on
1,251,804 square kilometers of mine-suspected land. A total of 2,461,663 square
meters was reduced through technical survey, with 576,987 square meters being
recommended for clearance. Mechanical preparation was carried out on 672,972
square meters, and mine clearance was carried out on 397,860 square
meters.[60] NPA started its
mine action program in Croatia in late 2001, after closing down its Kosovo
program. In November 2001–December 2003, NPA has reduced and cleared 8.6
square kilometers of mine-suspected land, locating and destroying 1,781 mines
and UXO.
NPA operates in Zadar and Sibenik counties, and in Eastern Slavonia. The NPA
program in Croatia is funded by Norway, Canada, and the ITF. The Croatian Mine
Victims Association (CMVA) provides a financial donation for NPA’s mine
risk education and victim assistance activities.
Marking of Mined and Mine-Suspected Areas
In 2003, a total of 357 square kilometers were marked, and marking was
renewed in other areas. CROMAC reports that marking of mine-suspected areas is
one of its main tasks, is carried out mainly during general and technical
survey, and follows precise procedures. In 2002, 192 square kilometers were
marked, in 2001 approximately 110 square kilometers, in 2000 about 220 square
kilometers (data not available for
1999).[61] In previous years,
CROMAC has reported actually carrying out less marking than planned, and that
many mine-affected/suspected areas were
unmarked.[62]
CROMAC regards the marking of mined and mine-suspected areas as an activity
complementary to mine risk education, and assesses the effect of the two
activities on the level of mine casualties (see later
section).[63]
Croatia’s June 2004 Article 7 report includes full information on mine
risk education (MRE) activities. The organizations involved in 2003 were the
Croatian Red Cross and its local branches, the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC), the Recobot Foundation, and the Croatian Mine Victims
Association. MRE is coordinated by CROMAC. In 2003, 28,060 people received MRE
training and an estimated 90,000 people were exposed to MRE messages, including
attending events where MRE messages were given out. About 70 percent of mine
risk education activities in 2003 were targeted at adults. CROMAC reports that
it pays special attention to MRE for adults, as they form a large proportion of
mine victims, and “the education of adults is much more
demanding.”[65]
The Red Cross organized 956 lectures conducted by 72 instructors at 39 Red
Cross branches attended by 9,215 men, 4,431 women and 13,214 children. The main
target groups were returning refugees and displaced persons, and male outdoor
workers. Two hundred rail workers in five towns also received Red Cross
lectures, as they are involved in reconstruction and maintenance of tracks that
may be mined. There were also about 70 other events during which 44 local Red
Cross branches carried out MRE; about 30,000 people attended these events. The
Red Cross considers that traditional lecture-type presentations are of limited
value, as people are generally aware of the mine risk, and tries to combine MRE
with events raising funds for demining of local areas. The Recobot Foundation
follows a similar approach.
At several sports events, including an eight-day soccer tournament in Darda,
theater performances, exhibitions and broadcasts carried mine risk education
messages, and publicity materials were given out. An estimated 60,000 people
visited CROMAC exhibitions throughout the year. Newspapers, radio and TV
stations carried ICRC, CROMAC and UN safety warnings on 291 occasions in April
and May 2003. For children, mine risk education messages were given at art
workshops, children’s camps and exhibitions, and at 15 new playgrounds
created across Croatia to provide children with play areas free of mines. The
MRE theater performance “Ne, ne, mi-ne” was played in 27 towns and
seen by about 2,400 children.
New MRE instructors were trained and there was refresher training for others
which also included information on implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty and
victim assistance programs in Croatia.
CROMAC has analyzed data since 1998, and concluded that mine risk education
is more effective, in terms of reducing the number of mine casualties, when
combined with the marking of suspected
areas.[66] At the Fifth Meeting
of States Parties, Croatia attributed the “marked decrease in the number
of mine victims for 2003” to the “broad media campaign launched by
the government in collaboration with a number of NGOs and the rigorous marking
and fencing of mine suspected areas....”
[67]
In 2003, CROMAC stated that “mine awareness programs must be
implemented parallel with demining
activities.”[68] Mine
risk education in Croatia has not been formally integrated with mine action
planning and clearance activities, with the exception of NPA, which combines MRE
with survey, impact assessment, clearance and post-clearance community
liaison.[69]
In previous years, groups considered most at risk and therefore prioritized
for mine risk education by CROMAC were those living in mine-suspected areas, in
particular, farmers, hunters, fishermen, employees of public companies, older
people and children. In 2002, MRE was directed mainly to primary-school
children, with other campaigns reaching the general public and some directed to
farmers. Prior to this, there was a diversity of MRE campaigns, many operating
at local community level, with some broader media-based campaigns aimed at the
general population. Hunters have been regarded as one of the most at-risk
groups, and targeted with specific MRE activities.
Since 1999, mine risk education in Croatia has been conducted by a wide
variety of organizations. In addition to those named above, others have
included the Ministry of Education and Sport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
the Ministry of War Veterans Affairs, the Association of Homeland War Civilian
Victims, NONA (a local NGO), Strata Research, and UNICEF. The ICRC and Croatian
Red Cross started mine risk education activities in 1996.
Mine Action Funding and Assistance
At the Fifth Meeting of States Parties, Croatia announced that the government
donated almost $30 million to mine action in 2003, representing about 80 percent
of total mine action expenditure. But it also noted that donor contributions
had been lower than expected, and in future years international funding of the
remaining 20 percent would be needed to meet the treaty obligation of completing
clearance by 2009.[70] CROMAC
reported that domestic as well as international donor funding had dropped in
2003 which, along with the temporary diversion of the mine action budget to non
mine-related matters, had adversely affected demining
projects.[71]
In 2003, CROMAC expended KN286,258,388 (equivalent to
$42,731,051)[72] on mine action,
a reduction of some 20 percent from 2002 (KN342,281,452), but more than in 2001
and earlier years. Of the total, 56 percent came from the State budget
(KN159,506,387 – $23,810,221) and 14 percent (KN39,244,511 –
$5,858,201) came from domestic and international donations, with the balance
coming from public utilities, local authorities and international loans to
Croatia.[73]
Of the total expenditure in 2003, 98 percent (KN281,426,337 –
$42,009,749) was spent on mine clearance and related activities, including
coordination; 1.5 percent on victim assistance (KN4,158,416 – $620,745);
and 0.5 percent (KN673,635 – $100,556) on mine risk education. The
majority of State spending was allocated to mine clearance and related
administrative and coordination activities (KN159,182,794) with much smaller
amounts allocated to victim assistance (KN77,000) and mine risk education
(KN246,593). Donors provided the majority of funding for victim assistance and
mine risk education. [74]
There was a shortfall in expenditure on mine clearance, compared with what
CROMAC planned to spend. This resulted largely from a shortfall in
international donations (53 percent of budget), while public utilities and local
authorities exceeded budget (142 percent). Overall, CROMAC expended 96.5
percent of what it had budgeted for mine clearance in 2003, but the shortfall in
donations was greatest in the first months of 2003, due to disagreements between
donors and CROMAC over fair tendering practices. The shortfall caused delays in
demining operations, which were partly redressed by late
2003.[75]
In 2003, foreign donations totaling KN36,741,950 ($5,484,633) were recorded
by CROMAC.[76] This included
KN1,320,421 from the ITF for mine clearance (including donations by the US,
European Commission and Adopt-a-Minefield). Other major donors were, for mine
clearance, Norway (KN11,250,000), Germany (KN5,552,467), Switzerland
(KN903,479), France (KN885,640), and Luxembourg
(KN280,063).[77] For mine risk
education, there were donations from Canada (KN60,889), Netherlands (KN32,540),
Norway (KN47,994) and various agencies. For victim assistance, there were
donations from Canada via UNDP (KN128,582), France (KN184,800), Greece
(KN8,054), Italy (KN192,500), Luxembourg (KN192,500), Norway (KN212,351), United
States (KN2,798,580) and various
agencies.[78]
These donations do not tally with other data. Donor reporting to Landmine
Monitor and to the United Nations indicate contributions in 2003 totaling about
$3.6 million from: Canada (US$20,265), France ($140,306 – €124,000),
Germany ($898,863–€794,400), Greece ($930–KN6,245), Italy
($218,380–€193,000), Japan ($73,000), Luxembourg ($220,018), Norway
($1,928,296–NOK13,656,000), Monaco ($15,000), and Switzerland
($66,000).[79] The US and EC
also indicated funding for Croatia in 2003, but specific amounts were not
available.
The ITF reports that it channeled funding of $4,249,300 (17 percent of its
funds) to Croatia for mine action in 2003, a considerable reduction from 2002
($10,293,794, or 41 percent) and less than in 2001. Out of the total,
$4,069,200 was expended on demining (20 projects in which 6.5 million square
meters were demined) and $99,900 in support to CROMAC. The balance of ITF
funding was used for mine victim assistance ($60,500) and other projects
($19,700).[80]
Since 1999, approximately $160 million has been expended by CROMAC (1999:
$24.4 million, 2000: $22.5 million, 2001: $26.4 million, 2002: $44.2 million,
2003: $42.6 million). The large majority of this expenditure has been on
demining operations. Since 1999, the Croatian State has provided $115.8 million
of funding (1999: $21.8 million, 2000: $25.4 million, 2001: $20.6 million, 2002:
$24.3 million, 2003: $23.7
million).[81] In this period,
an estimated $30.9 million has been contributed by international donors to mine
action in Croatia (1999: $3.3 million, 2000: $4.1 million, 2001: $7.6 million,
2002: $10 million, 2003: $5.5
million).[82] Since it started
funding mine action in Croatia in late 2000, the ITF has provided a total of
$18,872,890 (2000: $2,913,160, 2001: $5,665,936, 2002: $10,293,794; 2003:
$4,249,300).[83]
Research and Development
In 2003, Croatia continued its involvement in international R&D projects.
For the ARC project (aerial reduction of minefields), field-testing was
completed successfully with CROMAC’s cooperation in 2003, and the project
closed. For the SMART (space and air tools for reduction of minefields)
project, field-testing took place in Croatia in 2003, and project completion was
planned for May 2004. The MEDDS project combining biological detection of mines
carried out testing at a specially prepared site in Croatia in 2003; project
completion was expected by April 2004. For the BIOSENS project, ten field tests
took place in Croatia in 2003, in cooperation with the Swedish Rescue Services
Agency. Croatia is a partner in the PELAN project, which researches the use of
atomic energy for the detection of explosives; testing was conducted in Croatia
twice in 2003.[84]
Croatia has been involved in mine-related R&D since 1999, mainly via its
R&D center at Obrovac. It joined the ARC and SMART projects in 2000, and
has received EC funding in relation to these projects. Other projects in
cooperation with the EU Joint Research Center and the International Test and
Evaluation Program have been carried out at Obrovac. In 2002, CROMAC
established its Test and Evaluation Center.
Mine-affected areas in Croatia have provided opportunities for the testing
and evaluation of several mechanical mine clearance devices. CROMAC has tested
the Mine Guzzler, Oracle, MRV-1000, Hydrema-Weimar, KMMCS-Kerber, ELF, MV-3,
Bozena-2, and the Swedish Countermine L90 machine.
A center was established in Novigrad in 2000, for the training and testing of
mine detecting dogs.[85]
Landmine/UXO Casualties
In 2003, CROMAC recorded 12 new landmine/UXO casualties, including one person
killed, eight injured, and another three sustaining no physical
injuries.[86] However, the
CMVA recorded 14 new mine/UXO casualties in 2003, including two people killed,
six heavily injured, five lightly injured, and one without physical
injuries.[87] This represents a
significant decrease from the 27 new mine/UXO casualties recorded by CROMAC in
2002.[88] The discrepancy
between CROMAC/CMVA statistics can be attributed to a new policy developed by
CROMAC in 2003 regarding the recording of mine incidents and casualty data.
CROMAC now only records data on mine incidents that occurred inside mine
suspected areas in its statistical analysis, whereas CMVA records incidents on
the whole territory of Croatia. The CROMAC policy aims to assist in making
faster and more strategic decisions on mine clearance
priorities.[89]
The casualty rate increased in the first half of 2004 with nine new mine
casualties recorded through June by
CROMAC.[90] Three deminers were
among the seven people killed and two deminers were also injured. PROM-1
antipersonnel mines caused at least seven
casualties.[91] On 29 July
2004, three mine clearance personnel were injured whilst excavating a secret
arms cache which included antivehicle mines, near
Vinkovci.[92]
Since 1998, 19 deminers have been killed, 23 heavily injured and another four
lightly injured during mine clearance operations in Croatia, including one
killed and one injured in
2003.[93]
As of the end of July 2004, the CROMAC database recorded 1,768 mine/UXO
casualties since 1991, with at least 498 casualties occurring since the end of
the war in 1995.[94] Between
1999 and July 2004, 160 new mine/UXO casualties (55 killed, 99 injured and six
with no physical injuries) were
recorded.[95] In comparison,
CMVA reports 1,860 mine/UXO casualties to the end of December 2003, including
420 killed, 1,350 injured and the status of 90 casualties is
unknown.[96] The majority of
casualties are men, with women accounting for five percent; nearly six percent
of recorded casualties were children at the time of the
incident.[97] Karlovac and
Sisak Counties record the highest number of casualties, followed by Osijek
County in the east, and Zadar County in the
south.[98]
Landmine/UXO Casualties recorded by CROMAC – 1991 to July
2004[99]
Year
Total
Killed
Injured
No Injuries
Unknown
Unknown
28
11
16
–
1
1991–1995
1,242
254
934
1
53
1996
124
32
90
1
1
1997
120
36
81
–
3
1998
94
37
57
–
–
1999
58
21
37
–
–
2000
22
10
12
–
–
2001
32
10
22
–
–
2002
27
6
18
3
–
2003
12
1
8
3
2004
9
7
2
Total
1,768
425
1,277
8
58
Since 1999, Croatian nationals were also killed and injured abroad. In
October 2002, one Croatian was killed in an accident during a course at the
Training Center for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief in
Slovenia.[100] In June 2002, an
UNMEE Military Observer from Croatia and a local interpreter sustained injuries
when their vehicle struck a landmine in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ)
between Ethiopia and
Eritrea.[101]
In May 2002, CMVA, in collaboration with CROMAC, began a survey of mine
casualties in Croatia. The survey is based on two questionnaires covering the
health, education, occupation, income and general situation of mine survivors,
or the family of those killed. The survey data is being collected by 14 mine
survivors, and provides a useful tool for setting priorities for mine survivor
assistance projects. About 600 adults and 150 children and young people under
the age of 25 have been surveyed; 200 people refused to take part in the survey.
The Center for Disaster Management in Zagreb will analyze the data in
2004.[102] This project
continues an earlier survey conducted by CMVA, with financial support from
UNICEF, between September and November 2001, to identify the number and status
of mine survivors among children and young people up to 25 years
old.[103]
A 1997 study on landmine casualties conducted by the Center for Disaster
Management in Zagreb identified 671 mine survivors with permanent disabilities;
331 suffered an amputation.[104]
Survivor Assistance
Croatia has a well-developed public health infrastructure including clinics,
clinical hospitals, specialized hospitals, and rehabilitation
centers.[105] In 2001, there
were 119 health centers, 23 general hospitals, 12 teaching hospitals and
clinics, two clinical hospital centers, 30 specialized hospitals (two privately
owned), five health resorts (two privately owned), four emergency medical aid
centers, 185 polyclinics (175 privately owned), 111 medical centers providing
home-based care (110 privately owned), and 141 pharmacies (108 privately owned).
First aid is reportedly always available to mine casualties in a short period
of time, with transport to well-equipped hospitals provided by ambulances.
Surgical treatment is of high quality as surgeons in Croatia gained extensive
experience in trauma surgery during four years of armed conflict in the early
1990s. Mine survivors must pay for medicines not on the list of the Croatian
Health Insurance Institute, and for everything that exceeds the limits
determined by national standards.
There are 12 special hospitals for physical rehabilitation in Croatia: Lipik,
Daruvarske Toplice, Naftalan, Thalasoterapija-Crikvenica, Bizovačke, Kalos,
Thalasoterapija-Opatija, Varaždinske Toplice, Biograd, Stubicke Toplice,
Krapinske Toplice, and the orthopedic hospital “Prim dr. Martin
Horvat” in Rovinj. In October 2002, a new rehabilitation facility opened
in Bizovačke as part of the Osijek University Hospital. The Department of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is planned to be a referral center for all
of eastern Croatia. Private polyclinics also provide physical rehabilitation.
However, some mine survivors claim that the rehabilitation currently available
is insufficient and is often incomplete.
Four hospitals in Croatia have facilities for the fitting of prostheses; in
Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka, and Split. The facilities available are said to be
adequate to meet the needs of amputees; however, a lack of resources limits the
opportunities to improve standards, particularly the physical space. None of
the facilities fitting prostheses has workshops for the production of orthopedic
devices. Croatia has about 400 registered contract companies for the supply of
orthopedic and assistive devices. Mine survivors, and other amputees, with
health insurance pay about ten percent of the cost of a basic prosthesis: if
amputees want a better and more expensive prosthesis, they must pay the
difference in cost themselves. In 2002, the Croatian Government provided
KN180,000 (nearly $27,000) for a project to provide one mine survivor in each
mine-contaminated county with a better prosthesis.
In 2003, Croatia had one Certified Prosthetist (CP) and one Certified
Prosthetist and Orthotist (CPO); about 150 orthopedic technicians are members of
the Croatian Orthopedic Society, of whom fewer than ten have internationally
recognized diplomas. There are no training schools for prosthetic/orthotic
technicians in Croatia. Most technicians receive on-the-job training, or travel
abroad for short courses. However, plans are being developed to establish a
school offering short modules that would lead to internationally recognized
qualifications. Croatia has two university faculties for the training of
physiotherapists at Zagreb and Rijeka, and four physiotherapy schools. Training
for occupational therapists is also available in Zagreb. The ITF is currently
funding one student from Croatia in the prosthetics and orthotics technology
course in the School of Health Studies, at the University of
Ljubljana.[106]
The local NGO, Croatian Blind Dog and Mobility Association (CGDMA), operates
a dog training school and provides support to the visually-impaired in Croatia.
The association has 156 members, of whom three are mine/UXO survivors, including
a 13-year-old boy. The CGDMA has trained over 250 visually-impaired people to
use a cane, and trained 37 guide dogs. The CGDMA has plans to expand its
program to train more dogs for Croatia and other countries in the region but
lacks financial resources.
Although the provision of healthcare and physical rehabilitation in Croatia
is well organized, psychological and social support is inadequate to meet the
needs of mine survivors and other war
victims.[107] Croatia has about
40 practitioners skilled in providing psychosocial assistance, and the Ministry
of War Veterans has centers for psychosocial support for war veterans. The
National Center for Psycho-trauma in Zagreb continues to offer psychological
support to victims of the war, including mine survivors. The main psychosocial
support network for mine survivors is the CMVA.
The CMVA, an NGO, was established on 6 October 2001 in Rovinj, emerging from
the Mine Victims Section of the Croatian Union of Physically Disabled Persons
Associations (HSUTI).[108] CMVA
developed a regional network in the mine-contaminated counties in Croatia and
its activities include: an ongoing survey of mine survivors in Croatia; support
of individual mine survivors including medical assistance, facilitating access
to prosthetics, vocational training and job placement, school tuition fees,
emergency financial support, peer support groups, sports, and other activities;
coordination of the program for rehabilitation and psychosocial support to
children and adult mine survivors during the summer in Rovinj; workshops and
seminars; raising awareness of the problems faced by mine survivors; and the
development of a website with volunteer support from mine survivors. All
projects are carried out in collaboration with other associations or
institutions.[109]
Since 2001, in a Mine Victims Rehabilitation project jointly developed with
CROMAC, CMVA has organized rehabilitation and workshops for mine survivors in
Rovinj. The project included the refurbishment of rooms at the Orthopedics and
Rehabilitation Department of the Dr Martin Horvat Hospital to accommodate young
mine survivors. Under the program, these youngsters benefit from medical and
physical rehabilitation and psychological support. Participants also attend
various workshops on music, painting, sport, web design, and video production.
The first group of young mine survivors arrived in Rovinj on 1 July 2001.
Through July 2003, 56 children and young people participated in the annual
summer programs, including 20 in 2003. Since 2002, 124 adult mine survivors and
their families, participated in five ten-day workshops and rehabilitation
sessions in Rovinj. About 150 families applied to participate in 2003, but only
35 could be accommodated due to a lack of
resources.[110] In 2003, CMVA
started a new program in Vinkovci. Every Friday afternoon, between four and
seven pm, counseling is available for mine/UXO survivors and their families, and
from seven until midnight the venue becomes a place where people can meet and
socialize. There is no budget for the program as it is run by volunteers and
the space is provided by the Croatian Red Cross.
In 2002, CMVA, in collaboration with the ICRC, produced a picture book by
Zeljko Zorica, entitled “Endangered world,” to raise funds for a
scholarship for mine survivors. In December 2002–June 2003, four young
mine survivors benefited from the project and received KN500 (about $75) a month
to assist with the costs of attending
school.[111]
CMVA’s plans for 2004 included seeking sponsors for scholarships or
employment for eight mine survivors; completing the database on mine casualties
in Croatia; organizing the fourth annual summer workshops for children and young
mine/UXO survivors in Rovinj; convening a regional conference on the comparative
legal status and rights of mine victims in Southeast Europe; organizing a series
of seminars to raise awareness of the rights and problems of mine survivors; and
continuing to provide psychosocial
support.[112]
Since its inception, the CMVA and other victim assistance projects received
funding support from several donors including the Croatian government, Canada,
France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, the US Department of State,
UNICEF, the UNHCR, the ICRC, the Ministry of the Homeland War Veterans, Croatian
Red Cross, USAID, the ITF, NPA, Soroptomists, Zagrebacka banka, Istrian county,
town of Rovinj, and local businesses and
organizations.[113] Since 2001,
the ITF provided US$96,730 to mine victim assistance in Croatia: $60,500 in
2003; $16,593 in 2002; and $19,637 in
2001.[114]
Planning for the creation of a regional psychosocial support center is Rovinj
continues. The center, to be called DUGA (rainbow), is supported by CMVA, the
Center for Disaster Management and Dijana Pleština, and will have the
capacity to host 500–600 mine-affected people from Southeast Europe each
year. It is planned to also invite mine survivors from other parts of the
world. The center will use existing rehabilitation facilities and medical
specialists from the Martin Horvat hospital and be housed in an existing
building, which requires extensive renovation, in the grounds of the hospital.
Reconstruction commenced in April 2004. Funds have been pledged by the US
Department of State, Canada, Norway, and Japan, as well as relevant Croatian
ministries and the county of
Istria.[115]
One of the main problems facing mine survivors in Croatia is the lack of
employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, a problem exacerbated by
high unemployment in the general population. Some mine survivors express a
desire for retraining to learn new skills followed by small loans to enable the
start of income-generating projects. Vocational training has been identified as
a “weak spot” in assistance to mine survivors and other war
disabled.
In 2003, CROMAC employed in the database departments in Sisak and in Karlovac
two children of a deminer who was
killed.[116] In 2002, CROMAC
employed four mine survivors for the task of entering and processing data in the
database; financial support was provided by the Norwegian Government. CROMAC
has also employed four deminers injured in 2002 to monitor ITF-funded
projects.
The local NGO, NONA, primarily a women’s multimedia center focusing on
the promotion of human rights, is also involved in mine survivor assistance.
NONA produced a documentary about young mine survivors which was broadcast on
national television. In addition, representatives of NONA met with the President
of Croatia, Stjepan Mesić, to raise awareness of the problems faced by mine
survivors. NONA organizes regular workshops on computer skills for blind
persons, as well as workshops for video production and graphic design for other
people with disabilities in Zagreb and Karlovac. As a result of the video
production and graphic design workshops two young mine survivors produced an
autobiographical video which was released in September 2002, along with a photo
exhibition. The two mine survivors now use their new skills working part-time to
produce the NONA newsletter. NONA plans to expand the workshops to Sisak and
Zadar.
A study on mine victim assistance in Croatia in 2003 identified several key
challenges to providing adequate assistance to mine survivors including: the
affordability of appropriate healthcare and rehabilitation; improving and
upgrading facilities for rehabilitation and psychosocial support; creating
opportunities for employment and income generation; capacity building and
ongoing training of healthcare practitioners; raising awareness on the rights
and needs of persons with disabilities; and supporting local NGOs and agencies
to ensure sustainability of
programs.[117]
In September 2003, Croatia became co-chair of the Standing Committee on
Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, along with Australia.
Two mine survivors from Croatia participated in the Raising the Voices
training in Geneva in February 2004.
Croatia submitted the voluntary Form J with its Article 7 Report for 2004 to
report on victim assistance
activities.[118]
Disability Policy and Practice
Croatia has extensive legal provisions for the rights and entitlements of
persons with disabilities, including mine survivors; however, many are not fully
implemented, partly due to a lack of knowledge about
entitlements.[119] Research
conducted among mine survivors revealed that one-third (100 out of 300
respondents) were not familiar with benefits available to them. Legal
provisions include the 2002 “Act on vocational rehabilitation and
employment of disabled persons;” the 1998 “Law on Changes and
Additions to the Law on Mine Clearance,” which strengthened the rights of
deminers in the event of death or injury; the 1997 “Law on Social
Care” and its subsequent amendments; the 1996 “Act on Rights of
Croatian Participants in the Civil War and Members of their Families;” and
the “Law on Healthcare and the Law on Health Insurance.” Pension
benefits vary based on the level of disability. The pensions available are
reportedly insufficient for beneficiaries to maintain a reasonable standard of
living for themselves and their families. Civilian mine survivors receive
around KN400 (around $60) a month. In comparison, military mine survivors
receive around KN4,000 (around $600) a
month.[120]
In October 2000, the Commission of the Government for Disabled People was
established to provide expert opinion and monitor the situation concerning
persons with disabilities and their families, and develop activities to ensure
their welfare. On 4 October 2002, the Croatian Parliament adopted a new
national strategy for the period 2002–2006 aimed at improving the quality
of life of persons with disabilities, without distinction as to the cause of the
disability.
There is one Member of Parliament with a disability, and the new government
has created a working group for the rights of people with
disabilities.[121]
[1] Article 7 Report, Form A, 3 September
1999 (the reporting period is not stated), and interview with Marina Juric
Matejcic, Head of International Law Section, Ministry of Defense, 8 April 2004.
The implementation legislation was previously described as in preparation in
December 2000, September 2001, May 2002 and March 2003. See Landmine Monitor
Report 1999, p. 572, Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 208, and Landmine Monitor
Report 2003, p. 211. [2]
”Croatian defence chief presents anti-land mine bill,” HINA
(Zagreb), 16 September 2004. [3]
Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003; telephone interview with Vice Skracic,
Head of Arms Control and Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 26 March
2003. See also Landmine Monitor Report 2003, pp.
211–212. [4] Statement by
Croatia, Fifth Meeting of States Parties, Bangkok, 15–19 September
2003. [5] See Article 7 reports
submitted: 18 June 2004 (for calendar year 2003); 30 April 2003 (for calendar
year 2002); 26 April 2002 (for calendar year 2001); 30 May 2001 (for calendar
year 2000), 26 January 2001 (for the period 1 August–31 December 1999); 3
September 1999 (for the period to 31 July
1999). [6] “Conference on
Disarmament hears statements on fifth anniversary of Mine-Ban Convention,”
M2 Presswire, 26 February 2004. [7]
See Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 610, and Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p.
655. [8] See Landmine Monitor Report
2001, pp. 655–656, and Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p.
212. [9] “Humanitarian Demining
2004,” Sibenik, 21–23 April 2004. See www.hcr.hr
. [10] Interview with Col. Slavko
Haluzan, Ministry of Defense, Zagreb, 8 April 2004; telephone interview with
Vice Skracic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 26 March
2003. [11] Interview with Col. Slavko
Haluzan, Ministry of Defense, 8 April 2004; interview with Sanja Bujas Juraga,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zagreb, 23 January 2001. This endorses a similar
statement made in January 2000. See Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p.
611. [12] “Claymore-Type
Mines,” intervention by Croatia, Standing Committee on the General Status
and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 16 May
2003. [13] German Initiative to Ban
Landmines, “Victim activated landmine on offer,” Press Release, 22
October 2003. [14] Interview with
Dijana Plestina, Mine Action Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zagreb, 9
April 2004. [15] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2002, p. 209. [16] Croatia
“did not and has not produced anti-personnel mines before and since
January 1, 1997.” Amended Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form C, 29
September 2003. Croatia’s Article 7 reports have also stated that it
“did not produce any anti-personnel
mines.” [17] See Landmine
Monitor Report 2000, p. 611. [18]
Interview with Liljana Calic-Žminc, Advisor for Mine Risk Education and
Victim Assistance, Croatian Mine Action Center, 7 April
2004. [19] See Landmine Monitor Report
2000, p. 613, Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 209, and Landmine Monitor Report
2003, p. 212. The Ministry of Defense reported no criminal use May
2000–May 2001. Information on criminal use in 1999 and early 2000 has not
been reported. [20] Article 7 Report,
Form B, 3 September 1999. See also Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 612, and
Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
210. [21] Article 7 Report, Form F, 30
April 2003. The six types of antipersonnel mine were: PMA-1 (14,280), PMA-2
(44,876), PMA-3 (59,701), PMR-2A/2AS (74,040), PMR-3: (4), PROM-1: (6,102). For
phases of the destruction program, see Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp.
210–211. [22] Interview with
Col. Slavko Haluzan, Ministry of Defense, 8 April
2004. [23] Interview with Dijana
Plestina, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zagreb, 11 April 2004; interview with
Skavko Kopjar, Coordinator, Farewell to Arms Campaign, Ministry of Interior,
Zagreb, 3 January 2003. See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 211, and Landmine
Monitor Report 2003, p. 213. [24]
“Claymore-Type Mines” intervention, Standing Committee on General
Status, 16 May 2003; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p.
213. [25] Article 7 Report, Form D, 30
May 2001. [26] Ibid., 30 April
2003. [27] Ibid., 18 June 2004;
Article 7 Report, Form D, 30 April 2003. The mines retained at the end of 2003
included: PMA-1 (896), PMA-2 (1,354), PMA-3 (1,363), PMR-2A (931), PMR-3 (70),
and PROM-1 (1,864). The 268 mines that were destroyed in 2003 were: PMA-1 (52),
PMA-2 (73), PMA-3 (86), PMR-2A (33), and PROM-1
(24). [28] Article 7 Report, Form C,
18 June 2004. The seven types of antipersonnel mines are: PMA-1, PMA-2, PMA-3,
PMR-2A, OMR-2AS, PMR-3, PROM-1, and MRUD.
[29] See Landmine Monitor Report
1999, p. 575, Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 657–658, and Landmine
Monitor Report 2002, p. 212. [30]
Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 April 2003; “Mine Situation in
Croatia,” Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education, and
Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 14 May
2003. [31] See Landmine Monitor Report
1999, p. 576. [32] See Landmine
Monitor Report 2002, pp.
658–662. [33]
Ibid. [34] “CROMAC’s
Organisational Assessment,” 5 November 2003, Mine Action News, www.hcr.hr, accessed on 17 April 2004. The results
of the assessment had not been reported as of 9 September
2004. [35] See Landmine Monitor Report
2001, p. 661. [36] Annual estimated
exchange rate for 2003 of €1 = KN7.58, used throughout this
report. [37] CROMAC, “Report on
Implementation of Mine Clearance Plan for Croatian State Territory and Expended
Funds in 2003,” January 2004, p. 15; CCW Amended Protocol II Article 13
Report, Form G, 29 September 2003; “Mine Situation in Croatia,”
Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, 14 May 2003. See also Landmine Monitor
Report 2001, p. 658. By May 2002, the average demining price had fallen to
€1.53 per square meter. During 2003, there were wide fluctuations in
demining costs. [38] CCW Amended
Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form F, 29 September
2003. [39] See Landmine Monitor Report
2001, p. 658. [40] Interview with
Miljenko Vohtaric, Assistant Director, CROMAC, 7 April 2004. See also Landmine
Monitor Report 2003, p. 214. [41]
Interview with Miljenko Vohtaric, CROMAC, 7 April 2004; Croatia presentation,
Humanitarian Demining Research and Development conference, Geneva, 19 March
2004. [42] CROMAC omits the area
cleared by army units (493,738 square meters) – reported in Article 7
Report, Form C, 18 June 2004 -- and reports a total of 284,033,343 square meters
released in 2003. “Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, p.
3. [43] CROMAC, “Presentation of
Plan for 2003,” Public Relations, CROMAC website, 8 April 2003, www.hcr.hr accessed on 27 June 2003; Landmine
Monitor Report 2003, pp.
216–217. [44] CROMAC,
“Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, pp. 4–5,
8. [45] ITF, “Annual Report
2003,” p. 45. [46] Article 7
Report, Form C, 18 June 2004 (for calendar year 2003). CROMAC’s total of
area cleared by NPA refers to certified clearance and includes clearance from
2002 which was certified in 2003, so differs from the area (397,860 square
meters) reported by NPA as cleared in
2003. [47] CROMAC, “Annual
Report 2002,” April 2003, pp. 3,
7. [48] “Presentation of Plan
for 2003,” CROMAC, 8 April 2003; “Mine Situation in Croatia,”
Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, 14 May 2003.
[49] Article 7 Report, Form C, 30
April 18 June 2004; CROMAC, “Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004,
p. 5. [50] CROMAC, “Annual
Report 2002,” April 2003, pp. 4–5. In 2002, there was only a small
discrepancy with the Article 7 report, which recorded 7,856 mines of all types
destroyed. Article 7 Report, Forms C and G, 30 April 2003. See also Landmine
Monitor Report 2002, p. 215. [51]
CROMAC, “Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, p. 4. The Table on
this page appears to mislabel general exploration as technical exploration
(survey). [52] Ibid, pp.
4–5. [53] Interview and
presentation by Miljenko Vohtaric, CROMAC, 7 April 2004;
“Serbia-Montenegro, Croatia say Prevlaka demilitarization successfully
completed,” Tanjug (news agency), 13 November
2003. [54] CROMAC, “Expended
Funds in 2003,” January 2004, pp.
5–7. [55] For details of the
reconstruction and development of cleared land, see Landmine Monitor Report
2000, pp. 619–620. [56]
“Mine Situation in Croatia,” Standing Committee on Mine Clearance,
14 May 2003; CROMAC, “Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, p. 3.
Previous Landmine Monitor reports recorded slightly different totals for some
years, based on earlier CROMAC reports: 1999: 23.59 square kilometers; 2000:
32.81 square kilometers. In the table, the proportions demined are based on
data from previous Landmine Monitor
reports. [57] See Landmine Monitor
Report 1999, pp. 577–579. [58]
CROMAC, “Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, p.
6. [59] NPA, “2003 Annual
Project Report for the NPA Mine Action Programme in Croatia,” 7 April
2004; email from Emil Jeremic, Advisor, NPA, Oslo, 17 June 2004. See also
Landmine Monitor Report 2003, pp.
216–217. [60] CROMAC reports
that NPA carried out mine/UXO clearance on 471,293 square meters in 2003, but
this refers to clearance certified by CROMAC in 2003, including some clearance
actually carried out in 2002. [61]
CROMAC, “Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, pp.
15-16. [62] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2000, pp. 617–618, and Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p.
666. [63] CROMAC, “Expended
Funds in 2003,” January 2004, p.
20. [64] In this section, data for
2003 is taken from: Article 7 Report, Form I, 18 June 2004; CROMAC,
“Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, pp. 20–21; and
interview with Vijorka Roseg, Mine and ERW Program Manager, Croatian Red Cross,
Zagreb, 9 April, 2004. The Article 7 report also gives, in a table, a larger
number of Red Cross events, but these events are not identified as specifically
MRE events. [65] CROMAC,
“Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, p.
20. [66]
Ibid. [67] Statement by Croatia, Fifth
Meeting of States Parties, Bangkok, 15–19 September
2003. [68] “Mine
Awareness,” Education and Victim Assistance,” CROMAC
website. [69] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2003, p. 217. [70] Statement by
Croatia, Fifth Meeting of States Parties, Bangkok, 15–19 September
2003. [71] CROMAC, “Expended
Funds in 2003,” January 2004, pp. 4–5,
8. [72] €1=$1.1315, used
throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates
(Annual),” 2 January 2004.
[73] CROMAC, “Expended Funds in
2003,” January 2004, pp. 8–21, as amended: email from Miljenko
Vahtaric, Assistant Director, CROMAC, 22 July
2004. [74]
Ibid. [75] Ibid., pp.
8–10. [76] Email from Miljenko
Vahtaric, Assistant Director, CROMAC, 22 July
2004. [77] CROMAC, “Annual
Report 2002,” April 2003, pp.
8–12. [78] CROMAC,
“Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, pp. 19,
21. [79] See entries for these
countries in this report. See also, “Multi-year Recipient Report:
Croatia,” Mine Action Investments database, accessed at www.mineaction.org on 13 July
2004. [80] Emails from Sabina Beber,
Head of International Relations, ITF, 27 February and 30 April 2004; ITF,
“Annual Report 2002,” p.
34. [81] Data taken from previous
Landmine Monitor reports, at US$ rates used in each year. The excess funding
over expenditure in 2000 was used in 2001. CROMAC records a total of €133
million (roughly the same in dollars) donated by the State in 1998–2002,
including €22 million (approximately $20.8 million) in 2002 (data for 2003
not reported). “Mine action in Croatia,” CROMAC website. Croatia
reported lower annual funding to the intersessional Resource Mobilization
Contact Group for its June 2004 review of mine action
resources. [82] Data for
1999–2001 is from “Multi-year Recipient Report: Croatia,” Mine
Action Investments database. Data for 2002 is from CROMAC, “Annual Report
2002,” pp. 8–12 (database records only $1.4 million donated in
2002). Data for 2003 is from an email from Miljenko Vahtaric, CROMAC, 22 July
2004. (database records only $228,854 donated in 2003).
[83] Emails from Sabina Beber, ITF,
27 February and 30 April 2004. [84]
CCW Amended Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form E, 29 September
2003. [85] For details of R&D
projects in Croatia, see Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 668–669, and
Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
217. [86] Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Kristina Isić, Mine Awareness and Victim Assistance Advisor,
CROMAC, 3 August 2004. [87] Article 7
Report, Form J, 18 June 2004, p. 40; interview with Martina Belošević,
Coordinator, CMVA, Zagreb 10 April
2004. [88] Email from Kristina
Ikić, CROMAC, 3 August 2004. [89]
Article 7 Report, Form J, 18 June 2004, p. 40; interview with Ljiljana
Čalić-Žminć, Advisor for Mine Risk Education and Victim
Assistance, CROMAC, 7 April 2004. [90]
Email from Kristina Ikić, CROMAC, 3 August
2004. [91] Email from Ljiljana
Čalić-Žminć, CROMAC, 17 May
2004. [92] ”Explosion caused
while digging up hidden weapons,” Croatian TV, 29 July
2004. [93] “Be Aware –
Mines Don’t Care,” HCR News, 28 January 2004, accessed at www.hcr.hr on 8 August 2004; Article 7 Report, Form
J, 18 June 2004, p. 40. [94] Email
from Kristina Ikić, CROMAC, 3 August
2004. [95]
Ibid. [96] Article 7 Report, Form J,
18 June 2004, p. 43. [97] Interview
with Martina Belošević, Coordinator, CMVA, Zagreb, 10 April
2004. [98] Presentation by Croatia,
Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration,
Geneva, 23 June 2004. [99] Email from
Kristina Ikić, CROMAC, 3 August
2004. [100] Notification of Jernej
Cimpersek, Director, ITF, to Zeljko Vukosav, Chargé d’Affaires,
Embassy of Croatia in Ljubljana, 18 October 2002. See Landmine Monitor Report
2003, p. 428. [101] “UN
observer, Eritrean national wounded in landmine explosion,” IRIN, 25 June
2002. [102] Article 7 Report, Form J,
18 June 2004, p. 43; interview with Martina Belošević, CMVA, 10 April
2004. [103] For more details see
Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp.
219–220. [104] Center for
Disaster Management, “Preliminary Report about the Activities in the
Project ‘Development of a System for Monitoring Injuries Caused by
Land-Mines and Unexploded Ordnances’,” provided by Dr. Neven
Henigsberg, Director, Center for Disaster Management, Zagreb, 19 February
2003. [105] Unless otherwise stated
information in this section is taken from the Croatia entry in Handicap
International, Landmine Victim Assistance in South East Europe, Brussels,
September 2003, available at www.handicapinternational.be/downloads/ITFVAStudyfinalreport.pdf
. The study was undertaken in collaboration between Landmine Monitor and
Handicap International. [106] ITF,
“Annual Report 2003,” p.
27. [107] Presentation by Croatia,
Standing Committee on Victim Assistance, 23 June
2004. [108] HSUTI has been active in
Croatia for more than twenty years and has 40 member organizations. It
established the Mine Victims Section on 31 May 1999. See Landmine Monitor
Report 2000, p. 623. [109]
Presentation by Croatia, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance, 23 June 2004;
interview with Martina Belošević, CMVA, 9 April 2004; for more details
see Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p.
220. [110] Interviews with Martina
Belošević, CMVA, 9 April 2004 and 18 February 2003; CMVA,
“Report on Psychosocial Rehabilitation of Adult Landmine and UXO
Survivors,” Rovinj, 2003. [111]
Article 7 Report, Form J, 18 June 2004 (for calendar year 2003), p. 42;
interviews with Martina Belošević, CMVA, 20 January 2003, and Sisak,
11 February 2003. [112] Interview with
Martina Belošević, CMVA, 9 April
2004. [113] Information provided by
Martina Belošević, CMVA, 18 February 2003; interviews with Martina
Belošević, CMVA, 9 April 2004 and 18 February 2003; CMVA,
“Report on Psychosocial Rehabilitation,” 2003; CROMAC,
“Expended Funds in 2003,” January 2004, pp. 19,
21. [114] Emails from Sabina Beber,
ITF, 27 February 2004 and 18 June 2003; email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Eva
Veble, ITF, 17 May 2002. [115]
Presentation by Croatia, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance, 23 June 2004;
interview with Martina Belošević, CMVA, 9 April 2004; and interview
with Dijana Pleština, Mine Action Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by
Landmine Monitor Victim Assistance Research Coordinator, Rovinj, 18 February
2003. [116] “Education and
Victim Assistance,” CROMAC, accessed at www.hcr.hr on 8 August
2004. [117] Handicap International,
Landmine Victim Assistance in South East Europe, Brussels, September 2003, p.
50. [118] Article 7 Report, Form J, 18
June 2004 (for calendar year 2003). For calendar years 1999–2001, Croatia
reported on victim assistance activities in Form I of their Article 7
Reports. [119] For more information on
disability policies in Croatia see Handicap International, Landmine Victim
Assistance in South East Europe, Brussels, September 2003, pp. 48–49.
Unless otherwise stated information in this section is take from this
report. [120] Interview with Martina
Belošević, CMVA, 9 April
2004. [121] Ibid.
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