BOSNIA ESCALATING 'OIL DISPUTE' WITH CROATIA?

SARAJEVO, Jan 31 (Hina) - If the Croatian government does not change its ban on oil imports from Bosnia-Herzegovina via the border crossing Izacic, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia-Herzegovina will probably impose a permanent ban on oil imports from Croatia, said Hasib Salkic, deputy director of the Federation of Bosnia- Herzegovina customs authorities. The Sarajevo-based daily "Dnevni avaz" of Thursday quoted Salkic as saying the latest information indicated that Zagreb had not changed its stand regarding the status of the border crossing Izacic which the Bosnian side requested. He added that the existing supplies and oil imports from Yugoslavia met demand on the Bosnian market. Ahead of today's session of the Council of Ministers, which is to reconsider the oil dispute with Croatia, a visit by Council of Ministers chairman Zlatko Lagumdzija to the oil refinery in the northern town of Bosanski Samac was given a lot of media coverage. "Oslobodjenje" daily reports on its front page that the refinery would increase production as of June following renovation works. The refinery's director Vojin Mujicic said the refinery would start producing lead-free petrol and eco-diesel during this year. "Jutarnje novine" carry Lagumdzija's statement that Croatia's decision is an attack on Bosnia's dignity and that the authorities in Sarajevo would respond in kind. "If the Croatian government does not accept Izacic as the border crossing for the import of oil products, Bosnia-Herzegovina is ready to introduce additional measures," Lagumdzija said. (hina) rml