UN SECRETARY-GENERAL SUBMITS NEW REPORT ON PREVLAKA

NEW YORK, July 12 (Hina) - Conditions for the departure of U.N. military observers on Prevlaka have not been created yet, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a report to the U.N. Security Council on Monday, suggesting that the U.N. mandate on Prevlaka be extended for another six months in its existing form. The report, which is almost the same as Annan's April report, contains almost identical objections to the Yugoslav and Croatian authorities regarding violations of the demilitarised zone, i.e. movement restrictions for UNMOP members. The only new information is that the Yugoslav Army transported anti-aircraft cannons and heavy artillery into the demilitarised area after March 24. Annan objects to Croatia's "unilateral" opening of border crossings with Montenegro, although he admits that the local population was able to move freely, that there were no security problems and that the local population seemed to be satisfied. Moreover, he adds that during the Kosovo crisis humanitarian aid was being delivered via the border crossing of Debeli Brijeg. The U.N. Secretary General also objects to the arrival of tourists and fishermen in the Prevlaka area, as it represented a violation of the status of the so-called blue zone which is under U.N.'s exclusive authority. Commenting on the Croatian-Yugoslav negotiations about Prevlaka, Annan expresses regret that they have not yielded any progress. The agreed fifth round of talks was cancelled by the Yugoslav side who said it was unable to attend the talks due to NATO's military operation, he said. After the cessation of NATO air strikes, Croatia has failed to invite the Belgrade delegation for talks, which should be held in Zagreb, he added. The Security Council should adopt a resolution regarding Annan's report until Thursday. (hina) rml