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Table of Contents
Country Reports
Sub-Sections:
Croatia, Landmine Monitor Report 2007

Croatia

State Party since

1 March 1999

Treaty implementing legislation

Adopted: October 2004

Last Article 7 report submitted on

30 April 2007

Article 4 (stockpile destruction)

Deadline: 1 March 2003

Completed: 23 October 2002

Article 3 (mines retained)

Initially: 17,500

At end-2006: 6,179

Contamination

APMs, AVMs, UXO

Estimated area of contamination

1,044 km2

Article 5 (clearance of mined areas)

Deadline: 1 March 2009

Likelihood of meeting deadline

Low

Demining progress in 2006

Mined area clearance: 9.9 km2 (2005: 10 km2)

Area cancellation/reduction: 15.3 km2

(2005: 17.5 km2)

MRE capacity

Adequate

Mine/ERW casualties in 2006

Total: 12 (2005: 20 )

Mines: 10 (2005: 12 )

ERW: 0 (2005: 1)

Unknown devices: 2 (2005: 7)

Casualty analysis

Killed: 1 civilian (2005: 7)

Injured: 11 (9 civilians, 2 unknown) (2005: 13 )

Estimated mine/ERW survivors

1,638

Availability of services in 2006

Emergency/continuing medical care:

unchanged-adequate

Psychosocial support: unchanged-adequate

Other services: unchanged-inadequate

Progress towards survivor assistance aims

Slow (VA24)

Mine action funding in 2006

International: US$6,543,964/€5,208,919

(2005: $9,491,287)

National: $42,258,960/€33,637,634

Key developments since May 2006

Croatia played a leadership role as the President of the Sixth Meeting of States Parties from November 2005 to September 2006. Croatia reduced its estimate of total contamination in December 2006 to 1,044 square kilometers, as a result of ongoing survey. Demining companies and NPA released 24.8 square kilometers in 2006 through clearance and technical survey, 10 percent less than 2005. Decreased funding reduced MRE delivery and training of MRE providers. Casualties decreased in 2006.

Mine Ban Policy

The Republic of Croatia signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997, ratified it on 20 May 1998 and became a State Party on 1 March 1999. It enacted national implementation legislation, including penal sanctions, in October 2004.[1] The law created a National Commission for the Coordination of Monitoring the Implementation of the Law.[2]

Croatia submitted its annual Article 7 transparency report on 30 April 2007, covering calendar year 2006. It included voluntary Form J, with reporting on mine casualties and mine victim assistance programs. It has submitted eight previous Article 7 reports.[3]

Croatia played an active leadership role in the work program of the Mine Ban Treaty as the President of the Sixth Meeting of States Parties, from the meeting in Zagreb in November-December 2005 until the Seventh Meeting of States Parties in Geneva in September 2006. This included chairing the treaty’s Coordination Committee, which consists of all of the intersessional Standing Committee co-chairs and co-rapporteurs.

The Seventh Meeting was officially opened by Dijana Pleština, representing Croatia in the role as outgoing President. Croatia made additional statements on mine clearance and victim assistance. At the Standing Committee meetings in Geneva in May 2006 and April 2007 Croatia made statements on mine clearance, victim assistance and mines retained for training.

With respect to much-discussed matters of interpretation and implementation of the treaty, Croatia has not provided any details on what it considers prohibited and permitted under the ban on “assistance.” It has said that the transit of antipersonnel mines across Croatian territory by other states will not be tolerated.[4] With respect to antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes, Croatia informed States Parties in May 2006 that it has removed the tilt rods from its TMRP-6 antivehicle mines.[5] It said that it “fully subscribes” to the statement in a Landmine Monitor Fact Sheet that “a mine that relies on a tripwire, breakwire, or tilt rod as its sole firing mechanism should be considered an antipersonnel mine.”[6]

Croatia is party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons and its Amended Protocol II on landmines and Protocol V on explosive remnants of war. It attended the Eighth Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II in November 2006 and submitted an annual report as required by Article 13 of the protocol.

Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Destruction

Croatia has regularly stated that it has never produced antipersonnel mines.[7] There have been no reports of antipersonnel mines being imported or exported by Croatia. Croatia completed the destruction of its stockpile of 199,003 antipersonnel mines on 23 October 2002, in advance of its treaty deadline of 1 March 2003. Six types of mines were destroyed in three phases.[8] An additional 45,579 mine fuzes were destroyed during the stockpile destruction program.[9] Croatia also possesses 19,076 MRUD Claymore-type directional fragmentation mines, which it does not classify as antipersonnel mines. It has repeatedly said these mines cannot be activated by accidental contact, but has not reported on what steps it has taken to ensure that these mines can only be used in command-detonated mode.[10]

Mines Retained for Research and Training

Croatia reported that it retained 6,179 antipersonnel mines at the end of 2006 for training and development purposes. The mines are stored at the Croatian Armed Forces storage site, Jamadol, near Karlovac, and “are used or going to be used by the Croatian Mine Action Centre.”[11] In 2006 a total of 57 mines were destroyed during testing of demining machines by the Croatian Center for Testing, Development and Training.[12] Croatia destroyed 164 retained mines in 2005, 78 in 2004 and 268 in 2003.[13]

In its 2007 Article 7 report Croatia used the expanded Form D on retained mines agreed by States Parties at the Sixth Meeting of States Parties. It says, “Based on the current needs for testing of demining machines in year 2006, we estimate that the following amount [175] of anti-personnel mines will be used (and consequently destroyed) in year 2007.”[14] This was the same amount estimated for 2006, though only 57 mines were destroyed.

Landmine and ERW Problem

Croatia is affected by landmines and, to a much lesser extent, explosive remnants of war (ERW), a legacy of four years of armed conflict associated with the breakup of the former Yugoslavia during the early 1990s. Mines were laid mainly to protect defensive positions on the lines of confrontation, which changed frequently, but also in areas of strategic importance such as railway lines, power stations and pipelines. Mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) are found in 12 of Croatia’s 21 counties, including the agriculturally-fertile region of Slavonia, which also has oil and natural gas reserves.[15]

Demining and survey activities reduced the 2003-2005 estimate of 1,174 square kilometers of confirmed and suspected mined areas to 1,147 square kilometers by January 2006.[16] In 2006 general survey of 76 percent of the total suspected area further reduced total contamination to 1,044 square kilometers by December 2006; the survey was ongoing until mid-2007.[17]

Mined areas contain an estimated 153,684 antipersonnel and 86,894 antivehicle mines, affecting the population of 119 communities in 12 counties.[18] In addition, Croatia’s 2007 Article 7 report discloses that five military facilities are contaminated with a further 65,526 antipersonnel mines and 1,707 antivehicle mines.[19] Most suspected mined areas are woods and forests (54 percent), followed by agricultural land (17 percent), underbrush and rocky ground (11 percent) and meadows and pastures (nine percent). Houses and yards account for just 1 percent.[20]

UXO can be found around some warehouses, but these areas are said to be well marked and known to the local population. There are no dumps or caches of mines and other munitions.[21] Occasionally, however, members of the public report finding items of abandoned explosive ordnance, including unemplaced mines.[22]

Mine Action Program

The Croatian Mine Action Center Council, appointed by the government in 1998, functions as the national mine action authority, coordinating the work of the Croatian Mine Action Center.[23] It meets near the beginning and end of each calendar year, and as needed, but not less that once every three months.[24]

The Croatian Mine Action Center (CROMAC) is a public authority responsible for coordinating mine action. Its role includes mine action information management, the handover of searched or demined land, accreditation of demining operators, marking and fencing of hazardous areas, allocation of demining tasks, quality management, research and development, and coordinating mine risk education and victim assistance.[25]

Parliament passed two new laws governing mine action on 15 December 2005. The Law on Humanitarian Demining entered into force on 5 January 2006.[26] The Law on Special Rights for Social Security and Pension Insurance for the Humanitarian Demining Staff had not entered into force as of mid-2007.[27]

In December 2006 the Council approved amendments to the statute setting up CROMAC to bring it into line with the new law on humanitarian demining. Under the law, CROMAC was obliged from 5 January 2007 to ensure the presence of a demining monitor at all worksites on a daily basis. The Council also approved amendments to CROMAC’s constitution.[28]

In 2006 CROMAC amended its standing operating procedures: SOPs for marking suspected mined areas were revised and new methods introduced; new SOPs for planning, information systems and information management, training, equipment procurement, testing and evaluation were under development in early 2007, with a new SOP for planning due to be finalized by July 2007.[29]

Strategic Mine Action Planning

In January 2005 CROMAC approved the National Program for Mine Action 2005-2009, which called for demining of 346 square kilometers by the end of 2009. The plan and targets, however, have been under revision since 2005. In June 2006 parliament criticized the pace of demining as too slow. CROMAC claims that the main obstacle to accelerating clearance is a lack of funds. The estimated cost of planned mine action in 2006 was HRK292 million (some US$50 million), but funding available was HRK257.2 million ($44 million). The estimated cost of planned mine action for 2007 was HRK291.8 million ($50 million).[30]

The new Law on Humanitarian Demining obliged CROMAC to prepare a three-year demining plan, with the aim of increasing efficiency by providing a framework for annual operational planning. CROMAC planned to submit a draft three-year plan for 2007-2009 for government approval by mid-2007.[31]

Croatia has identified its clearance priorities as tasks that promote public safety, contribute to socioeconomic development and “ecological priorities.” It believes that these priorities, including land needed for housing, infrastructure and agriculture, account for about 250 square kilometers of the remaining suspected mined areas.[32]

To allow better identification and location of minefields, CROMAC developed the Geo Information Project (GIP); staff training was completed in 2006. In 2007 CROMAC was in the process of merging its Mine Information System into GIP; the project was due to be completed before the end of 2007.[33]

Integration of Mine Action with Reconstruction and Development

Planning and prioritization of mine action is undertaken at the municipal and county levels, based on maps and data of confirmed and suspected mined areas sent by CROMAC twice a year. Municipalities submit their demining priorities to county authorities who take account of development plans in setting regional demining priorities. From these, CROMAC drafts annual plans for approval by ministries and then by the government.[34] Public companies with projects in suspected mined areas are obliged to include mine action in their budgets.

Demining

Demining and survey activities were carried out by 28 commercial companies in 2006, two of which were new, and by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). A total of 583 deminers, 45 demining machines and 103 mine detection dogs were used by these organizations.[35] The Croatian Army conducted clearance of military sites.

Identification, Marking and Fencing of Affected Areas

In 2006 CROMAC completed general survey in 53 communities and municipalities representing 76 percent of the total suspected hazardous areas in Croatia. As a result, Croatia reduced its estimate of total contamination in December 2006 to 1,044 square kilometers, 2,956 square kilometers less than the estimate in 2000.[36] Clearance operations accounted for only about 128 square kilometers of the reduction and general or technical survey for the rest.[37] CROMAC planned to finalize the national general survey by July 2007. Croatia placed new emphasis on developing criteria for surveying suspected mined areas located in forests, which account for over half the estimated suspected areas remaining.[38]

Technical survey was carried out by 20 demining companies on 15.3 square kilometers in 2006, less than in 2005 (17.5 square kilometers). NPA reported that it returned 1,408,562 square meters of land to communities through technical survey during 2004-2006.[39] In 2006 CROMAC reported that NPA had released 202,253 square meters through technical survey.[40]

CROMAC is responsible for marking suspected mined areas during surveys. As of 31 December 2006, there were 12,328 warning signs on suspected areas.[41] However, CROMAC concluded that 1,227 mine warning signs disappeared in 2006 and prosecuted its first case of mine sign theft.[42]

CROMAC plans to take over fencing of mined areas previously conducted by demining companies. Fencing is carried out on areas not prioritized by the demining plan, and areas being cleared. If during clearance operations it is found that the minefield boundaries extend beyond those in the tasking document, the demining company is obliged to fence off the additional area. CROMAC attempts to avoid the need for such fencing by precise definition of mine clearance tasks; in 2006 such fencing was not required.[43]

Mine/ERW Clearance

Demining in Croatia is conducted by manual, mechanical and mine detection dog methods. Dogs are used for mine clearance and for quality assurance of technical survey.[44]

Demining operations by commercial companies and NPA released 24.8 square kilometers in 2006, 88 percent of plan (28 square kilometers) and some 2.8 square kilometers (10 percent) less than in 2005. Within these totals, the amount of land cleared fell by about half a square kilometer (to 9.5 square kilometers) and land released through technical survey was down by over 2 square kilometers (to 15.3 square kilometers), excluding clearance by the armed forces.[45] CROMAC attributed the shortfall in clearance to several factors: some tasks proposed by public companies overestimated the amount of land needing clearance, public companies postponed some tasks, and CROMAC did not conduct tasks for which companies did not provide funding as obliged.[46] The cost of demining remained unchanged in 2006 at an average of HRK10 ($1.7) per square meter.[47]

Among the 28 companies, DOK-ING accounted for one-fifth of all clearance, MKA Demining for 16.1 percent and Mungos for 15.3 percent.[48] NPA reported that it cleared 429,142 square meters of mined areas, and technically surveyed 348,428 square meters, destroying 144 antipersonnel mines, 165 antivehicle mines and 1,023 items of UXO.[49]

Demining in Croatia in 2006[50]

Operator

Mined area clearance

(km2)

APMs

destroyed

AVMs

destroyed

UXO

destroyed

Technical

survey (km2)

Commercial companies

9.05

N/A

N/A

N/A

15.12

NPA

0.43

144

165

1,023

0.2

Army

0.51

298

0

6,558

0

Total

9.99

442

165

7,581

15.32

Types of land returned to communities in 2006 were agricultural areas (40 percent), infrastructure (15 percent), forest (18 percent), meadows and pastures (2 percent), underbrush (8 percent), houses and yards (1 percent); “other areas” accounted for 13 percent.[51]

In 2006 CROMAC put more emphasis on quality assurance, monitoring 193 technical survey tasks on a sampling area of 571,439 square meters and 173 clearance tasks with a total sampling area of 170,854 square meters. As a result of quality assurance 22 UXO and one mine were found on cleared land, and companies were asked to re-clear 11 areas. Once quality assurance confirms that clearance or technical survey has been completed to required standards, CROMAC hands over the land to communities, issuing a demining certificate or a statement on non-contamination of the site.[52]

Summary of Efforts to Comply with Article 5

Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Croatia must destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but no later than 1 March 2009. In May 2006 Croatia warned that the chances of meeting this deadline were “very, very slim.”[53]

Since 1998 CROMAC has release some 613 square kilometers to local communities, as a result of mine clearance and general or technical survey.[54] At the start of 2007, Croatia estimated that further general survey would lower the estimate of remaining contaminated land to about 1,000 square kilometers. In April 2007 Croatia informed States Parties that it had the capacity to clear about 40 square kilometers per year (although it has never achieved this amount). To complete clearance within a 10-year extension of its Article 5 deadline, Croatia would have to increase annual clearance to 60-65 square kilometers a year; on the present cost-basis, this would require increasing investment in mine action from €40 million (some $52 million) currently to €70 million ($91 million).[55]

Demining in Croatia 2002-2006[56]

Year

Mined area

clearance (km2)

Area reduced or

cancelled (km2)

2002

31

29

2003

28.5

256

2004

10.6

23.1

2005

10

17.5

2006

9.99

15.3

Total

90.09

340.9

Research and Development

CROMAC’S Center for Testing, Development and Training (CTDT) tests demining machines and mine detection dogs and each year re-certifies all operating demining machinery. The center runs two ongoing projects, researching characteristics of metal detectors and the use of bees for landmine detection. The experimental phase of using bees for area reduction showed positive results and CROMAC believed the method will be used when finalized.[57]

In 2006 CROMAC CTDT tested four new demining machines, Bozena-5, MV-10, MV-20 and Mine Wolf as part of International Test and Evaluation Program for Humanitarian Demining (ITEP) projects and conducted trials of Japanese GPR-EMI dual sensor systems. Under its Systematic Test and Evaluation of Metal Detectors (STEMDT) project, the Center tested the detectors used most in the region. The Center also worked with Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), the Fraunhofer Institute and the Dutch company ARESA.[58]

Mine Risk Education

Mine risk education (MRE) was provided in all of the 12 mine-affected counties in 2006, reaching some 111,400 children and 16,000 adults directly through lectures, puppet and theater shows. Including public information and media, approximately 500,000 people in Croatia received mine awareness messages.[59]

The main target groups for MRE continued to be male outdoor workers, hunters and children. Men 32 to 48 years were most at risk from mines/ERW, particularly when working in agriculture and forestry.[60] However, due to UXO incidents amongst children since 2002, CROMAC believes it is necessary to develop a specific ERW risk education program for children in towns and outside of mine suspected areas.[61]

Organizations involved included the Croatian Red Cross, Croatian Mine Victims Association, Association of Civilian Mine Victims of the Homeland War, Associations of Homeland War Defenders, Bembo, NPA, Puppet Theater Pinokio, Theater Scena MM and the Regional Center for Assistance and Disaster Relief. In total, organizations supporting MRE in Croatia included over 15 national NGOs, associations and theaters and four state institutions. Some 80 people delivered MRE in Croatia; about 60 percent of them were volunteers including 65 MRE educators from Croatian Red Cross branches.[62]

CROMAC coordinates MRE as mandated by the demining law, using the casualty database to plan activities. In 2007 CROMAC planned to develop MRE standard operating procedures and an accreditation process in accordance with the National Mine Action Strategy 2007-2009.[63]

In 2006, as in previous years, the main provider was the Croatian Red Cross, delivering MRE to some 20,000 people (less than half as many as in 2005, due to less donor support), mostly through public events and lectures. The Croatian Red Cross built 10 new safe-play areas bringing the total in Croatia to 46 by the end of 2006.[64]

The Regional Center for Assistance and Disaster Relief (RCADR), in conjunction with the State Administration for Protection and Rescue undertook a pilot project in 11 elementary schools in Splitsko-Dalmatinska county in three phases: first grade (6-7 years old) children, their parents and teachers. Evaluations of each group showed overall participant satisfaction with the pilot project; teachers proposed that the program be extended to all age groups in elementary schools and be introduced into the national education curriculum by the Ministry of Education.[65]

In 2006 radio, television, theater magazines, sports events and festivals raised awareness of mine risk, often in conjunction with fundraising activities. All MRE implementers active during 2006 distributed educational materials including books for children, educational DVDs, brochures and leaflets; approximately 150,000 items were distributed.[66]

Landmine/ERW Casualties[67]

In 2006, 12 new mine/ERW casualties were reported in Croatia (one person killed and 11 injured); this represents a decrease from 2005 (20 casualties). Of these casualties, 10 were recorded by CROMAC (one killed and nine injured) in seven mine incidents; all were civilian adults, one woman was injured. Two casualties were recorded outside CROMAC monitoring areas, which are generally not suspected to be mine/ERW-contaminated; both were adult men injured while farming; in 2005 eight of the 20 casualties were outside CROMAC areas. CROMAC reports that antivehicle mines caused six casualties and bounding antipersonnel mines caused the four other casualties. As in 2005, all the 2006 casualties recorded by CROMAC were involved in livelihood activities at the time of the incident; four were collecting firewood, three farming and three digging canals.

Casualties continued to be reported in 2007, with two people killed and one injured as of April 2007. In March a 35-year-old Italian tourist was killed after stepping on a landmine while hunting in Zadar County. On 10 March, one deminer was killed and one injured in separate landmine incidents.[68]

The total number of mine/ERW casualties in Croatia is not known.

Data Collection

The main sources of casualty data in Croatia are CROMAC and the Croatian Mine Victims Association (CMVA). CROMAC collects data on all casualties, but those occurring within the boundaries of mine suspected areas are recorded separately from casualties outside these areas.[69] Sources of information for CROMAC casualty data include hospitals, police, army, media and mine survivors as well as partner organizations. Although emergency services are obliged to register traumatic injuries, the cause of injury is not always clearly defined. CROMAC shares information on mine casualties with other interested parties.[70]

CROMAC continued updating its casualty database with data from other sources in cooperation with CMVA, the Croatian Red Cross, the NGO Mine Aid and the Ministry of the Interior. As of February 2007 the CROMAC database had recorded 1,892 mine/ERW casualties since 1991 in mine-suspected areas (475 people killed, 1,381 injured and 36 unknown) in 1,277 incidents. At least 574 casualties occurred since the end of the war in 1995.[71]

CMVA records incidents on the whole territory of Croatia. Between 1990 and 2007 the CMVA database recorded 2,244 mine/ERW casualties (543 people killed and 1,638 injured; 63 casualties were unknown). There were 1,630 civilian casualties, including 1,350 mine casualties and 280 ERW casualties, within mine-suspected areas. Outside mine-suspected areas there were 357 civilian casualties, including 14 mine casualties and 343 ERW casualties. There were at least 194 demining casualties, 142 due to mines and 52 due to ERW. CMVA regional representatives and the Croatian Red Cross undertook the compilation of complete survivor data in 2007.[72]

As of March 2007 the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had recorded 341 civilian mine casualties with permanent status as civilian victims of the Homeland War. Nine mine survivors of 2006 requested the same status; eight received it and the other one appealed the decision.[73] The first CROMAC survivor assistance meeting in 2006 identified as a main requirement for survivor assistance the coordination of legal entitlements to mine survivors registered as civilian victims of the Homeland War. It also identified the need to coordinate all databases in accordance with the National Plan of Activities for Regulating Children Rights and Interests 2006-2012 which was adopted in 2006.[74]

The Croatian Trauma Register pilot project began in January 2006 aiming to record and monitor all trauma cases from the occurrence of the incident through to rehabilitation and reintegration services received. It classifies injuries by cause, including mine/ERW incidents.[75] During 2006 the pilot project recorded no landmine casualties and only used data from the largest hospitals. Hospitals are not obliged to use the system and nationwide application would require intervention by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.[76]

Survivor Assistance

The disability sector in Croatia requires strengthening, and survivor assistance requires improved planning and coordination, in the view of a CROMAC advisor.[77] Existing resources for survivor assistance are insufficient and available resources need to be used more efficiently.[78] Croatia reportedly requires more focus on the creation of community-based services for people with disabilities.[79]

Croatia has a well-developed public health infrastructure and health system, including clinics, clinical hospitals, specialized hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Surgery can be performed in all country hospitals. Some equipment and ambulances need upgrading. The Croatian Institute for Health Insurance pays for some types of treatment.[80]

Rehabilitation facilities in Croatia are said to be “unevenly distributed, insufficient in their availability for all types of impairment and show large differences in equipment and staffing.” Reportedly, rehabilitation services are not adequate to meet the population’s needs.[81] The Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Devices and specialized hospitals provide physical rehabilitation; there are private prosthetic workshops and several hospitals with facilities for the fitting of prostheses. Training in physiotherapy is available in Croatia, but prosthetic technicians are trained abroad and receive on-the-job training.[82]

All Croatians covered by health insurance are entitled to physical rehabilitation and devices, although some mine survivors claim that services are incomplete and not all costs are covered. Civilians registered as victims of the Homeland War are entitled to state-funded rehabilitation once a year; military personnel can obtain physical rehabilitation twice a year.[83]

The Directorate of Family of the Ministry of Family, Veterans’ Affairs and Integration Solidarity operates centers for psychosocial support for people with disabilities in all 21 counties. However, systematic psychosocial rehabilitation of mine survivors is lacking. Adapted adult education programs for people with disabilities, including mine survivors are available. Children with disabilities have access to educational facilities but some teachers are not adequately trained.[84]

The law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, but discrimination does occur. The three-year national strategy for people with disabilities which ended in December 2006 was criticized by members of parliament because its implementation was slow and incomplete. A state fund created in December 2005 to encourage employment of people with disabilities was not operational in 2006. Legislation provided benefits for employers of people with disabilities. Disabled veterans and their children can receive economic reintegration through a government-supported program. Pension benefits are based on the level of disability; many pensions are insufficient for a reasonable standard of living. Most mine survivors are not aware of their rights or do not know how to apply for benefits.[85]

On 30 March 2007 Croatia signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol allowing the monitoring of disability activities. An initiative to ensure the rights of mothers of children with disabilities was launched in March 2006 in response to the convention.[86]

Progress in Meeting VA24 Survivor Assistance Objectives

At the First Review Conference in Nairobi, Croatia was identified as one of 24 States Parties with significant numbers of mine survivors and “the greatest responsibility to act, but also the greatest needs and expectations for assistance” in providing adequate services for the care, rehabilitation, and reintegration of survivors.[87] As part of its commitment to the Nairobi Action Plan, Croatia prepared its 2005-2009 objectives for the Sixth Meeting of States Parties in 2005 in Zagreb.[88] By April 2007 Croatia had revised some of these objectives, adding timeframes; one objective was added for economic reintegration; other changes were minimal.[89]

In September 2006 at the Seventh Meeting of States Parties, Croatia reported only on a capacity-building training for CMVA staff. The delegation included one mine survivor. At the April 2007 Standing Committee meetings Croatia did not detail the progress made towards its 2005-2009 objectives.[90] Croatia received support from the victim assistance specialist of the Mine Ban Treaty Implementation Support Unit (ISU) in 2006.[91]

In its 2007 Article 7 report Croatia provided information on casualties and a detailed update of survivor assistance activities implemented by the government and NGOs in 2006.[92]

Progress on Croatia’s Nairobi Action Plan Victim Assistance Objectives[93]

Service

Revised Objective

Time-frame

Task

assigned to

Plans to achieve objectives

Actions

in 2006-2007

Data

collection

Update CROMAC database with other sources; include children of people killed by mines/UXO

End 2006

CROMAC, CMVA, others

N/A

Update in process; some children of deceased casualties identified; other data projects ongoing

Expand injury surveillance to include mine explosion

End 2006

 CROMAC, others

N/A

CTR project started, WHO classification used

National VA and regional mine action coordination

End 2005- end 2006

 CROMAC

 N/A

National VA coordination meeting held; no regional progress

Include mine survivors in coordination bodies

End 2006

 CROMAC

N/A

National VA coordination meeting held

Strategy for VA cooperation

Mid-2007

 CROMAC

N/A

No progress reported

Coordinate and share surveillance monitoring

Mid-2007

 CROMAC

N/A

Update in process

Emergency

and

continuing medical care

SOPs for evacuation of mine casualties from mined areas

2008

CROMAC 

N/A

SOPs established

Emergency

and

continuing medical care (cont.)

Emergency helicopter service

 Mid-2008

CROMAC

N/A

No progress reported

Strategy for regular upgrade of ambulances and medical equipment

 Mid-2008

CROMAC

N/A

No progress reported

Continuous education in emergency treatment of mine casualties

Mid-2008

CROMAC

N/A

No progress reported

Double teams trained in emergency first aid for traumatic injuries

 2009

CROMAC

N/A

No progress reported

Physical rehabilitation

Revise rules on orthopedic and other assistive devices

End 2007

 CROMAC

N/A

No progress reported

Psychological support and social reintegration

Psychological support for survivors

2009

  CROMAC

N/A

Workshops for youth survivors, new program at DUGA planned

Complete reconstruction of DUGA centre and implement programs

Mid-2006

 CMVA;

CDM; MFA

N/A

ITF funding secured

Access to psychological support for at least 70 percent of registered survivors

2009

 CROMAC

 N/A

Workshops for youth survivors, new program at DUGA planned

Access to vocational training/ income generation for at least 60 percent of survivors

2009

 CROMAC

N/A

Survivors employed at CROMAC

Survivor Assistance Strategic Framework

Under the Law on Humanitarian Demining adopted on 5 January 2006, CROMAC is responsible for the coordination of all victim assistance in Croatia.[94] CROMAC’s role is to support and coordinate survivor assistance stakeholders and raise awareness and resources. The national mine action strategy for 2005-2009 includes victim assistance and rehabilitation, mainly organized and conducted by NGOs in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[95] In 2007 CROMAC planned to create a new victim assistance strategy based on the national mine action program.[96] In December 2006 the first coordination meeting was held; future coordination meetings will be held biannually.[97]

Assistance to mine survivors was provided mainly by the NGOs Croatian Mine Victims Association and Mine Aid. At least 160 out of 1,000 mine/ERW survivors and/or families registered by Mine Aid received services in 2006: 15 received emergency or continuing medical care, 155 received psychosocial support, 17 received socioeconomic reintegration services and 34 received educational or other assistance.[98] Recreational rehabilitation through camps and vacations was provided for 102 people including at least 12 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina.[99]

Croatia reported victim assistance in 2006 including workshops, youth camps, training of CMVA regional coordinators, education support and funding for improved prosthetic devices.[100] In 2006, 43 young people participated in the annual summer program for young mine survivors at the Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Department of the Dr. Martin Horvat Hospital in Rovinj. In 2006 CMVA and NPA organized a winter program in Slovenia for young mine/ERW survivors from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.[101]

CMVA remained the main psychosocial support network for mine survivors. The Center for Disaster Management prepared a psycho-trauma counselling pilot project for mine survivors in 2006, however, funding was not available.[102] The DUGA regional psychosocial support and rehabilitation center in Rovinj was scheduled to open by 2007. As of March 2007 reconstruction of the premises had not been completed.[103] Mine Aid provided medical care, training in peer to peer support, employment opportunities, psychological support and support for vacations in 2006. In August 2006 Mine Aid organized an advocacy capacity-building workshop attended by survivors, their families and CMVA regional representatives in Rovinj.[104]

Funding and Assistance

In 2006 international donations totaling $6,543,964 (€5,208,919) for mine action in Croatia were reported by nine countries, a decrease of 31 percent from 2005 ($9,491,287 provided by eight countries and the EC).[105] Donors reporting funding in 2006 were:

  • Belgium: €162,000 ($203,521) consisting of €12,000 ($15,076) in-kind as technical assistance to CROMAC, and €150,000 ($188,445) to CROMAC for mine clearance;[106]
  • Canada: C$50,000 ($44,090) to CROMAC for mine clearance;[107]
  • Czech Republic: CZK2 million ($88,600) via the ITF for victim assistance;[108]
  • France: €75,000 ($94,223) for mine clearance assistance to CROMAC;[109]
  • Germany: €800,000 ($1,005,040) for mine clearance;[110]
  • Luxembourg: €300,000 ($376,890) for mine clearance;[111]
  • Norway: NOK14,999,786 ($2,339,967) to NPA for mine action;[112]
  • Slovenia: SIT17,621,997 ($91,634) for mine action and coordination;[113]
  • US: $2,300,000 for mine action via the ITF.[114]

In addition, Croatia reported funding by the Embassy of China in Croatia for victim assistance programs but did not provide a value for contributions.[115]

The International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance allocated $7,363,709 or 25.5 percent of its funds in 2006 to mine action in Croatia, a decrease from 2005 ($10,050,640). Some 93 percent of ITF funding for Croatia in 2006 was spent on mine/ERW clearance, six percent on victim assistance, and less than one percent on MRE and training; donations were received from Austria, the Czech Republic, the EC, Slovenia, Spain, the US, NGOs and private donors.[116]

National Contribution to Mine Action

In its 2007 Article 7 report Croatia stated that funding from the state budget accounted for 61 percent of total mine action funding in 2006.[117]

Croatia reported that the mine action budget in 2006 was HRK299,983,782    ($51,374,387), of which all national sources of funding covered 82 percent, or HRK246,757,250  ($42,258,960), including HRK198,551,126 ($34,003,313) from the state budget and HRK48,206,124 ($8,255,647) from state and local administrative bodies. The state budget comprised HRK155,751,322 ($26,673,538) for demining and HRK42,799,804 ($7,329,775) for management, administration, equipment and other operational expenses. Public donations to the mine action program were reported to total HRK53,226,532 ($9,115,428).[118]

Croatia estimates total expenditure on demining since 1998 at €290 million ($364 million at current exchange rates), 85 percent of which was from Croatian sources including about 50 percent from the state budget.[119] Croatia has asserted it can fulfill its mine ban treaty obligations with its existing national capacity but “without financial help from [the] international community the process will be slower.”[120]


[1] The Law on Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, was approved by parliament on 1 October 2004 and by the president on 6 October 2004. Article 9, Section IV of the law provides penal sanctions. Article 7 Report, Form A, 8 June 2005.

[2] Article 7 Report, Form A, 8 June 2005. It consists of representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, defense, interior and justice, as well as the Croatian Mine Action Center (CROMAC).

[3] Previous reports were submitted on 28 April 2006, 8 June 2005, 18 June 2004, 30 April 2003, 26 April 2002, 30 May 2001, 26 January 2001 and 3 September 1999.

[4]See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 354.

[5] Croatia intervention on Article 2, Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 12 May 2006; email from Dijana Pleština, CROMAC Council, 22 March 2006.

[6] Croatia intervention on Article 2, Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 12 May 2006. It said, “Moreover, in order to make the agreement on this issue even stronger, we would like to point out that, although TMRP-6 mines do not rely on tilt rod as its sole firing mechanism, and in that sense do not constitute antipersonnel mines, we decided to take a step further and remove tilt rods from these mines so as to exclude every possibility for these mines to be activated by persons. This means that now all TMRP-6 mines in Croatia can be used exclusively as anti-vehicle mines which can only be detonated by pressure force of 250-300 kilos.” In addition, in February 2006 a Ministry of Defense official stated that the Croatian company Agencija Alan had removed TMRP-6 mines from its website and all their sales catalogues. The ICBL had expressed the view that the sale of TMRP-6 mines with tilt rods would constitute a violation of the Mine Ban Treaty. For more details, see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 354.

[7] See Article 7 Report, Form E, 30 April 2007.

[8] Article 7 Report, Form F, 28 April 2006. The mines destroyed included: PMA-1 (14,280); PMA-2 (44,876); PMA-3 (59,701); PMR-2A/2AS (74,040); PMR-3 (4); and PROM-1 (6,102).

[9] Article 7 Report, Form F, 28 April 2006.

[10] Email from Capt. Vlado Funaric, Ministry of Defense, 22 February 2006; “Claymore-Type Mines,” intervention by Croatia, Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 16 May 2003. Claymore-type mines used in command-detonated mode are permissible under the Mine Ban Treaty, but if used with tripwires are prohibited.

[11] Article 7 Report, Form D, 30 April 2007. The mines included: 815 PMA-1A; 1,273 PMA-2; 1,287 PMA-3; 903 PMR-2A; 70 PMR-3; and 1,831 PROM-1.

[12]Article 7 Report, Form D, 30 April 2007. The mines destroyed included: 15 PMA-1; 15 PMA-2; 15 PMA-3; 6 PMR-2A; and 6 PROM-1. Croatia provided details on how many of which types of mines were used for each of the three demining machines tested (Mini Mine-Wolf, Božena 5 and RM-KA 02).

[13] Initially, Croatia announced that it would retain 17,500 antipersonnel mines for training, but in December 2000 decided to reduce this to 7,000. Article 7 Report, Form D, 30 May 2001.

[14] Article 7 Report, Form D, 30 April 2007.

[15] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 356; Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 303.

[16] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 356.

[17] Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 April 2007.

[18] CROMAC, “Disturbing number of mine warning signs missing,” www.hcr.hr, accessed 28 March 2007.

[19] Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 April 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 356.

[20] CROMAC, “Mine Situation in the Republic of Croatia,” Sisak, March 2006.

[21] Telephone interview with Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, Head of Department for Planning and Analysis, CROMAC, 13 April 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 356.

[22] “Explosives and mines discovered in forest,” Vecernji list (daily newspaper), Zagreb, 5 February 2007; “Hand grenades and mines found in Zadar,” Vecernji list, Zagreb, 24 January 2007; “Abandoned mines,” Vecernji list, Slavonia, 23 August 2006.

[23] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 356.

[24] Interview with Kristina Ikic Banicek, Advisor for International Cooperation and Donations, and Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 356.

[25] Extract from Law on Humanitarian Demining, Narodne Novine (National Gazette), No. 153/05, 28 December 2005; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 357.

[26]Narodne Novine, No. 153/05, 28 December 2005.

[27] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 357.

[28] Interview with Zlatko Vukelic, Quality Control, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007.

[29] Interview with Davor Laura, Assistant Director for Operations, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; interview with Damir Jelenic, Head of IT Department, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 357.

[30] Interview with Kristina Ikic Banicek and Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 357. Average exchange rate for 2006: US$1 = HRK5.83917, used throughout this report. “Midpoint Exchange Rates of the Croatian National Bank, (2006 period average),” www.hnb.hr, accessed 14 April 2007.

[31] Interview with Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; CROMAC, “Report for 2006,” www.hcr.hr, accessed 12 April 2007.

[32] Statement by Croatia, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 25 April 2007.

[33] Interview with Damir Jelenic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 April 2007. The advantage of CROMAC’s Mine Information System is that it is used by the state administration and provides CROMAC access to the digitalized cadastral plans developed by some counties and municipalities. See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 360.

[34] Interview with Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007.

[35] CROMAC, “Report for 2006.”

[36] Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 April 2007.

[37] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 361.

[38] Interview with Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; statement by Croatia, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 25 April 2007.

[39] Email from Vanja Sikirica, Mine Action Advisor, NPA, Croatia, 15 April 2007.

[40] CROMAC, “Report for 2006.”

[41] Ibid.

[42] CROMAC, “Disturbing number of mine warning signs missing,” www.hcr.hr, accessed 28 March 2007.

[43] Interview with Davor Laura and Zlatko Vukelic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007.

[44] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 362.

[45]Interview with Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 April 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, pp. 361-362.

[46] Interview with Kristina Ikic Banicek and Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007.

[47]CROMAC, “Report for 2006;” see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 359.

[48] CROMAC, “Report for 2006.”

[49] Email from Vanja Sikirica, NPA, 15 April 2007.

[50] Email from Miljenko Vahtaric, Assistant Director, CROMAC, 23 April 2007; Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 April 2007; email from Vanja Sikirica, NPA, Croatia, 15 April 2007. Clearance data provided by NPA was for 1 February 2006-31 January 2007. CROMAC reported that NPA cleared 617,157 square meters of land (188,015 square meters more than NPA reported) but technically surveyed 0.2 square kilometers (0.15 square kilometers less than NPA reported.

[51] Interview with Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007. Percentages have been rounded.

[52] Interview with Zlatko Vukelic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; CROMAC, “Report for 2006.”

[53] Statement by Croatia, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 10 May 2006.

[54] Interview with Natasa Matesa-Matekovic, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 362.

[55] Statement by Croatia, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 25 April 2007. Average exchange rate for 2006: €1 = US$1.2563, used throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2007.

[56] Email from Miljenko Vahtaric, CROMAC, 23 April 2007. Croatia did not report any battle area clearance.

[57] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 363.

[58] Interview with Nikola Pavkovic, Director, Center for Testing, Development and Training Ltd., Zagreb, 19 February 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 363.

[59] Interview with Ljiljana Stojisavljević, Mine Risk Education and Victim Assistance Advisor, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007.

[60] Information provided by Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; email from Martina Belošević, President, Croatian Mine Victim Association (CMVA), 13 April 2007.

[61] Interview with Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; CROMAC, “Short overview of MRE activities in Croatia,” Sisak, undated.

[62] Interview with Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; email from Nada Hržić, Puppet Theater Pinokio, Knin, 22 February 2007; interview with Slavica Marinović, Secretary, Associations of Homeland War Defenders, Zagreb, 5 March 2007; telephone interview with Petar Peric, Secretary, Scena MM Osijek, 22 February 2007.

[63] Interview with Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; CROMAC, “Short overview of MRE activities in Croatia,” Sisak, undated; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 364.

[64] Email from Ivica Usmiani, MRE Coordinator, CRC, 20 February 2007; CRC, “Annual MRE Report 2006,” January 2007.

[65] Email from Sanja Stanić, Advisor for Disaster Psychology, RCADR, Split, 27 February 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 365.

[66] Interview with Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007.

[67] Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2007; information provided by Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, 21 February 2007; information provided by Martina Belošević, CMVA, Zagreb, 13 April 2007.

[68] Information provided by Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, 2 April 2007.

[69] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 367.

[70] Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2007; interview with Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, 21 February 2007.

[71] Article 7 Report 2006 Report form J, 30 April 2007; interview with Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, Sisak, 21 February 2007; see Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 367.

[72] Information provided by Martina Belošević, CMVA, 13 April 2007.

[73] Department for Civilian Victims of Homeland War, Annual Statistics for 2006, in letter from Neven Ljubičić, Minster of Health and Social Welfare, Zagreb, 30 March 2007.

[74] CROMAC, “The 1st MVA Coordination Meeting Held in Sisak,” 11 December 2006, www.hcr.hr, accessed 5 July 2006.

[75] Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2007.

[76] Telephone interview with Dr. Zvonimir Lovrić, Coordinator, CTR, Zagreb, 4 July 2007; Article 7 Report; Form J, 30 April 2007; CCW Amended Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form B, 26 October 2006.

[77] Information provided by Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, 21 February 2007.

[78] CROMAC, “The 1st MVA Coordination Meeting Held in Sisak,” 11 December 2006.

[79] EC, “Screening report Croatia Chapter 19 – Social policy and employment,” 27 June 2006, p. 10,

http://ec.europa.eu, accessed 5 July 2007.

[80] See Landmine Monitor 2006, p. 369.

[81] Ivan Džidić, Dr. Miroslav Jelić, Katarina Sekelj-Kauzlarić et al., “Rehabilitation Medicine In Croatia-Sources and Practice,” Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Volume 38, Issue 4, July 2006, p. 211.

[82] Email from Dr. Miroslav Jelić, Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Devices, 15 February 2006.

[83] Letter from Neven Ljubičić, Minster of Health and Social Welfare, 30 March 2007; see Landmine Monitor 2006, pp. 369-370.

[84] CCW Amended Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form B, 26 October 2006; Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2007; see Landmine Monitor 2006, p. 370.

[85] US Department of State, “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2006: Croatia,” Washington, DC, 6 March 2007; interview with Vesna Škulić, Member of Parliament, Zagreb, 1 March 2007; CROMAC, “Presidency Session of Croatian Mine Victims Association Held in Beli Manastir,” 5 June 2006; see Landmine Monitor 2006, pp. 371-372; Landmine Monitor 2004, p. 378.

[86] Amended Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form B, 26 October 2006.

[87] UN, “Final Report, First Review Conference,” Nairobi, 29 November-3 December 2004, APLC/CONF/2004/5, 9 February 2005, p. 33.

[88] “Final Report of the Sixth Meeting of States Parties/ Zagreb Progress Report,” Part II, Annex V, Zagreb, 28 November-2 December 2005, pp. 135-142.

[89]Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, “Status of the development of SMART victim assistance objectives and national plans,” Geneva, 23 April 2007, pp. 23-24.

[90] Statement by Croatia, Seventh Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 19 September 2006.

[91] Email from Sheree Bailey, Victim Assistance Specialist, ISU, GICHD, 12 June 2006.

[92] Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2007.

[93]Ibid; CCW Amended Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form B, 26 October 2006; interview with Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, 21 February 2007; letter from Dijana Pleština, President, DUGA, Zagreb, 15 March 2007; interview with Vesna Škulić, Zagreb 1 March 2007; CROMAC, “From mine incident to reintegration-capacity building in the Republic of Croatia,” 17 August 2006; co-chairs, “Status of the development of SMART victim assistance objectives and national plans,” Geneva, 23 April 2007, pp. 23-24.

[94] CROMAC, “Co-ordination of Activities and Mine Risk Education Program,” 13 March 2007, www.hcr.hr, accessed 5 July 2007

[95] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 311.

[96] Information provided by Ljiljana Stojisavljević, CROMAC, 21 February 2007.

[97] CROMAC, “The 1st MVA Coordination Meeting Held in Sisak,” 11 December 2006, www.hcr.hr, accessed 5 July 2006.

[98] Email from Marija Breber, Social Worker, Mine Aid, 4 July 2007; CMVA, “Annual Report 2006,” Zagreb; email from Martina Belošević, CMVA, Zagreb, 4 July 2007.

[99] Email from Marija Breber, Mine Aid, 4 July 2007.

[100] Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2007.

[101] International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF), “Annual Report 2006,” Ljubljana, p. 39.

[102] Interview with Dr. Neven Henigsberg, President, Center for Disaster Management, Zagreb, 20 January 2007.

[103]Letter from Dijana Pleština, DUGA, Zagreb, 15 March 2007.

[104] Email from Marija Breber, Mine Aid, Zagreb, 4 July 2007.

[105] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, p. 365. Average exchange rate for 2006: €1 = US$1.2563, used throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2007.

[106] Belgium Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2007.

[107] Email from Carly Volkes, Program Officer, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, 5 June 2007. Average exchange rate for 2006: C$1 = US$0.8818. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2007.

[108] Email from Jan Kara, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2007. Average exchange rate for 2006: CZK1 = US$0.0443. CZK-EU exchange: European Central Bank Statistical Data Warehouse, Exchange rates, Bilateral, Annual. EU-US exchange: US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2007.

[109] Email from Anne Villeneuve, Advocacy Officer, Handicap International, Lyon, 12 July 2007.

[110] Germany Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2007.

[111] Email from Michel Leesch, Secrétaire de Légation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2007.

[112] Email from Yngvild Berggrav, Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 August 2007.

[113] Email from Irina Gorsic, Counsellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar 2007. Average exchange rate for 2006: SIT1 = US$0.0052. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2007.

[114] USG Historical Chart containing data for FY 2006, by email from Angela L. Jeffries, Financial Management Specialist, US Department of State, 20 July 2007.

[115] Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2007.

[116] ITF, “Annual Report 2006,” pp. 22, 39-42; ITF, “Annual Report 2005,” pp. 12-17. Percentages have been rounded.

[117] Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 April 2007.

[118] Email from Sandra Kuzmic, Organizational Affairs Adviser, CROMAC, 23 July 2007.

[119] Statement by Croatia, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 25 April 2007; Statement by Croatia, Seventh Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 19 September 2006.

[120] Statement by Croatia, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 25 April 2007.