BOSNIAN BAN ON CRO OIL IMPORTS MAY BE FOLLOWED BY OTHER RESTRICTIONS

SARAJEVO, Feb 1 (Hina) - The Bosnian Council of Ministers' decision determining border crossings through which Croatian oil imports will be allowed into Bosnia has practically introduced a ban on Croatian oil imports and if the dispute continues to deteriorate, the import of other Croatian products, such as tobacco and alcohol, could be banned as well, the Sarajevo press report on Friday. According to the "Dnevni avaz" daily, by determining Doljane, Izacic and Bosanski Brod as the border crossings through which Croatian oil imports will be entering the country, the Council of Ministers has practically imposed a ban on Croatian oil imports. These border crossings are not on a list previously suggested by the Croatian government. "In principle, we use the corridors and border crossings suggested by the Croatian government for oil imports from the third countries. Other border crossings, which Croatian authorities did not include in the list, are border crossings for Croatian oil imports," Bosnian Foreign Trade Minister Azra Hadziahmetovic, who informed Croatia's Transport Minister Alojz Tusek of the decision on Thursday evening, told the daily. If the Croatian government continues insisting on its stand, the BH Council of Ministers will respond with new counter-measures. According to "Jutarnje novine", a ban on tobacco and alcohol imports from Croatia could be introduced soon. According to available data, oil and tobacco accounted for most Croatian exports to Bosnia in 2001. If the current dispute is not resolved soon, it will become even more difficult because Bosnia intends to introduce strict control of Croatian oil imports, which will have to meet European Union standards. Bosnian oil distributors have already complained about the poor quality of Croatian oil imports. (hina) rml