PREVLAKA IS SECURITY ISSUE, TO BE SOLVED IN LINE WITH CRO'S SOVEREIGNTY

WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Hina) - The issue of Prevlaka is a security issue, rather than territorial, and the solution should be consistent with Croatia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognised borders, US State Department spokesman James Rubin said in Washington on Friday. In a statement handed to the press, Rubin said the United States welcomed the decision of the United Nations Security Council to extend the UN Mission of Observers (UNMOP) in Croatia's southernmost peninsula of Prevlaka, bordering with FR Yugoslavia, for another six months. "We continue to view this dispute as a security, rather than a territorial question, and maintain that resolution of this issue must be consistent with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Croatia within its internationally recognised borders, which the US Government views as the inter-republic borders of the former Yugoslavia", the statement said. Washington also applauded the announcement of Croatian authorities it would open border crossings at Debeli Brijeg and Kofin "along the international border between Croatia and the FRY". "This initiative represents a significant contribution to the peace and security of the area, as well as an important confidence- building measure between the two countries," Rubin stressed. The statement added that "the Croatian Government's standing proposal of 'asymmetrical demilitarisation' of the area also warrants further consideration". (hina) lml