CRO AMBASSADOR TO UN ON LATEST SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON PREVLAKA

NEW YORK, July 15 (Hina) - Croatia's Ambassador to the United Nations on Thursday said the latest UN Security Council resolution on Croatia's southernmost tip Prevlaka continues the policy of small, but positive steps forward. Ambassador Ivan Simonovic added international support to Croatian views regarding Prevlaka was continuously growing.#L# The Security Council on Thursday decided to the extend for another six months the mandate of UN observers on Prevlaka, a Croatian peninsula bordering with the Yugoslav Republic of Montenegro. Simonovic is encouraged by the Security Council demand that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his next report suggest measures to further secure the freedom of movement of civilians on Prevlaka. The demand is fully on the trail of Croatia's suggestion for a changed regime on the peninsula, the ambassador said. He added the latest resolution was a stronghold and significant step in the establishment of full freedom of movement in the entire Prevlaka area and in ensuring undisturbed use of the peninsula for civil purposes. Simonovic said Croatia shares the Security Council's concern and dissatisfaction with the absence of progress in bilateral negotiations with Yugoslavia. Croatia's negotiators will continue talks with the Yugoslav delegation, the ambassador said, but added Croatia cannot consent to be the prisoner of a stubborn refusal to accept international borders. Simonovic said it is of key importance that Belgrade finally accept that security issues in the contemporary world are solved by agreements and demilitarisation, and not by changing borders. International borders are unalterable, the ambassador asserted. Croatia is always willing to negotiate with Yugoslavia, in an understanding and constructive tone, he added. (hina) ha