YU GOVT ADMITS HAVING RECEIVED UNMIK'S OFFICIAL LETTER ON CUSTOMS POINTS

BELGRADE, April 18 (Hina) - The Yugoslav government on Wednesday admitted having received on February 21 from the U.N. Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) an official letter on the establishment of customs points on the border between Serbia and Kosovo, but it claimed the UNMIK's move "is an act violating Resolution 1244 of the U.N. Security Council and Yugoslav laws." In a statement issued today the Yugoslav Foreign Ministry calls the customs points "tax-collection points", reminding, however, that only the federal government has the right to collect taxes. At the end of last week, the UNMIK set up two customs points at Leposavic and Zubin Potok on the border between Kosovo and Serbia, triggering off protests by Serbs from northern Kosovo, whose leaders said the UNMIK's move was "another step toward the recognition of Kosovo's independence." The Yugoslav ministry today confirmed that customs points had been discussed at a meeting of UNMIK head Hans Haekkerup and Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica and Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic in Skopje on February 23. The ministry said it would make efforts to "overcome the current situation through direct talks with the UNMIK." (hina) rml