US WELCOMES OPENING OF DEBELI BRIJEG; KONFIN BORDER CROSSINGS

WASHINGTON, Jan 26 (Hina) - The United States on Monday welcomed the opening of the international border crossings of Debeli Brijeg and Konfin on the border between Croatia and the Yugoslav republic of Montenegro. A State Department deputy spokesman, James Foley, yesterday said his country believed the opening of the two border crossings was an important step towards establishing trust and would enable population from both sides of the border to re-establish economic and cultural ties. The United States calls on Croatia and Montenegro to harmonise their agreements with the UN Military Observers on Prevlaka (UNMOP), thus securing safety of movement in the area and enabling the UNMOP to perform tasks it has been entrusted with. The UN observers on Prevlaka are supervising the demilitarisation of the area. Foley said America believed that the opening of Debeli Brijeg and Konfin border crossings could help Croatia and Yugoslavia further strengthen trust and reach an agreement on resolving the problem of Prevlaka. The United States also calls on the two countries to increase their efforts in finding a permanent solution, he added. Prevlaka is located within Croatia's internationally recognised borders, but Yugoslavia has territorial pretensions towards this southern-most part of Croatia's territory. Croatia has rejected the possibility of changing the border but understands the importance of establishing security in the area and has therefore suggested its permanent demilitarisation. The United States recently supported Croatia's standpoint. (hina) jn rml