KOSTUNICA OPPOSES CHECK-POINTS ON SERBIA-KOSOVO BORDER

BELGRADE, April 18 (Hina) - Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica wrote a letter to the head of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) on Wednesday, urging Hans Haekkerup to "re-examine the decision" on the setting up of customs check-points on the Serbia-Kosovo border. Kostunica believes the two check-points "prejudge a final solution to the Kosovo issue" and give "special state sovereignty to that area." The head of state reminds he opposed the check-points during talks with Haekkerup in Skopje, Macedonia on February 23, and that two days before the Yugoslav Foreign Ministry had sent a note to UNMIK, stating a decision to that effect would clash with the UN Security Council's Resolution 1244 and breach Yugoslav law. The Yugoslav Foreign Ministry issued a statement today, also objecting to the check-points. Like Kostunica, it concedes it was familiar with UNMIK's intention. The Mission set up the check-points last Sunday. Yugoslav and Serb authorities have hence claimed they "knew nothing about it and were not notified." UNMIK has said it will collect tax and duties on goods not originating from Yugoslavia or imported from third countries without the paying of Yugoslav tariffs. The Mission will use the funds it collects to rebuild Serb communities in northern Kosovo. (hina) ha sb