LJUBLJANA PROTESTS OVER ARREST OF SLOVENE CITIZEN

LJUBLJANA, Aug 21 (Hina) - Slovenia's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday sent a protest note to Croatia in response to the arrest of a Slovene citizen residing in Mline (near the Crotian-Slovene border). #L# "Severe measures such as imprisoning a Slovene citizen at this particular time in no way contributes to calming relations between the two countries, nor to the constructive implementation of agreements already reached," the Slovene protest notes says. As reported in Ljubljana, surprise was expressed that the Slovene Embassy was not advised of the arrest of Josko Joras and a request was immediately forwarded to make it possible for Slovene diplomats to be able to contact Joras. Slovene Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel immediately tried to contact his Croatian counterpart, Tonino Picula, to discuss the matter over the phone, however, he did not manage to do so, Slovene media reported. (hina) lml sb