THREE SLOVENES VIOLATE CROATIAN BORDER

ZAGREB, Mar 2 (Hina) - The Croatian Interior Ministry on Thursday reported three Slovene citizens yesterday violated the state border while digging earth on Croatian territory. A Croatian border police patrol at 05.45 p.m. on Wednesday came across three Slovenes on the Croatian side of the border, near the Mura river. The three dug the humus with excavators to take away gravel. According to a statement from the Croatian Interior Ministry, they also violated the Law on Croatian Waters. Following an on-the-spot investigation, Stefan T., Ladislav B. and Vladislav B. were released, the statement said, adding a request would be filed for disciplinary proceedings against them for violating the state border and illegal earth digging. Upon reaching Slovene territory, the three released Slovenes blocked a local road with the excavators, not allowing Croatian police to pass. According to Croatian and Slovene Interior Ministry minutes, the road leading to and from the site in question is for joint use. The road was cleared in cooperation with Slovene police from Murska Sobota, and the three Slovenes were returned their passports at their request. The Croatian Interior Ministry states the Croatian border police patrol was acting on Croatian territory and did not use force with the three Slovenes. The Croatian police acted in line with the law and was tactful in establishing the Slovenes' identity, the statement says, further pointing out cooperation with police from Murska Sobota was excellent. Slovene daily "Delo" today reported two Croatian policemen yesterday stopped three Slovene locals who were loading earth with an excavator in a wood on Slovene territory in the immediate vicinity of the cadastral border. The article describes the event as a serious incident, claiming the Croatian policemen had broken into the excavator cabin, were choking one Slovene and injured his hand. (hina) ha jn