No available shotlist




Initials jec/v/jf/



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Operation "Yellow Cross" yesterday (Thursday) moved into its second phase at Steinfeld, near Grossmittel, Lower Austria. The operation is to rid the area of 32,000 poison gas shells buried there soon after the Second World War. The shells are being located and removed one by one. It's dangerous work and the searchers have been equipped with special protective clothing.

Several shells were found recently and a full-scale search was ordered when it was decided their presence could endanger Vienna's water supply as a new pipeline is planned nearby.

But the finding and removal of the shells is not the end of the problem. The authorities have still to find a safe way of disposing of them. Specialists are working on this final aspect of Operation "Yellow Cross".