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Following the Steering Board Ambassadors meeting on 3rd April in Sarajevo, the High Representative expressed his concern over the deteriorating financial situation of the BiH Mine Action Coordination Center (MACC). A serious lack of funding, some US $2.3m, means that the MACC will have to suspend its operations before the 2001 de-mining season is actually underway; this would result in a cessation of de-mining work on the ground.
The High Representative strongly encourages donor nations to make financial pledges at the earliest opportunity, particularly to the MACC, so as to allow the 2001 program to continue as planned. The High Representative welcomes the announcements made by the US Ambassador that the US Government is pledging US $590,000 with immediate effect as well as the Canadian Government’s intention to pledge Canadian $400,000 to the UNDP Trust Fund immediately. He also welcomes the intention of the Swedish Government to pledge some US $400,000 for mine action in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a substantial part of which will go to the UNDP Trust Fund.
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