UNA RAILWAY - TRAIN ARRIVES IN KNIN

KNIN, Jan 26 (Hina) - The train which set out on a promotional ride on a newly reopened Zagreb-Bihac-Knin railway, known also as the Una Railway, arrived in Knin as scheduled at 3.15 pm on Friday. The 392km Una Railway, of which 257 cross Croatian territory, was re-opened for transport on Friday after nine and a half years in disuse. Aboard the train which left Zagreb's Central Station at eight a.m. were the heads of Croatian Railways (HZ) and Bosnia's Public Railway Corporation, representatives of the two governments, members of the press, Stabilisation Force in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Croatian Mine Action Centre, business people and Knin County officials. Upon their arrival in Knin, all passengers expressed satisfaction with the ride, especially with the cordial welcome of Croatian and Bosnian citizens who gathered along the railway. Croatian Railway director Marijan Drempetic said the railway was currently partially repaired and freight trains would travel along it for the time being. As of June 13 the railway will be opened for passenger traffic as well. Drempetic recalled that four million tonnes of cargo and 1,400,000 passengers were transported on the railway annually before the war. BH Civil Affairs and Communications Minister Tihomir Gligoric said today's reopening was the result of implementation of an agreement between a BH delegation and Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan. Gligoric said the further repair of the Una Railway would be financed by both states, Stability Pact and with international loans. Croatian Transport Minister Alojz Tusek said it had been agreed that the railway be electrified and returned to its pre-war state by the end of this year. Croatian First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic said the opening of the railway was the greatest victory of the future for both countries. Ministers Tusek and Gligoric signed an agreement on joint maintenance and traffic organisation of the railway during the ride. The agreement regulates that the border point of Martin Brod is the last railway stop on the Bosnian side while Licko Dugo Polje is the last railway stop on the Croatian side. Customs and border control will be carried out on the two stops before the train passes on to either side. Croatian trains are not allowed to stop but only pass through Bosnian territory. The train is scheduled to return to Zagreb around 10 pm tonight. (hina) rml