WASHINGTON, July 16 (Hina) - The United States is satisfied with a decision of the UN Security Council to extend the mandate of UN military observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP) for six months, and it maintains that this is a security rather
than a territorial issue, read a special statement issued by the US State Department on Friday.
WASHINGTON, July 16 (Hina) - The United States is satisfied with a
decision of the UN Security Council to extend the mandate of UN
military observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP) for six months, and it
maintains that this is a security rather than a territorial issue,
read a special statement issued by the US State Department on
Friday.#L#
The United States maintains that "resolution of this issue must be
consistent with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Croatia within its internationally recognised borders," the
statement added.
The State Department applauded UNMOP for its role in "maintaining
peace and stability in the Prevlaka region" and in promoting
normalisation of relations between Croatia and Montenegro by
helping to open border crossings at Debeli Brijeg and Konfin.
"UNMOP helped defuse a potentially dangerous situation that
resulted from the Yugoslav army's establishment, in violation of
the FRY's (Yugoslavia's) commitment to demilitarise the area, of a
fortified checkpoint in the yellow zone," the statement added.
The United States commended Croatian and Montenegrin governments
for their efforts to build confidence and encouraged them to
promote further regional stability and foster economic
cooperation.
"Specially we call on them (Croatia and Montenegro) to cooperate on
the development of Adriatic coast tourism and fully implement their
agreement on the development to liberalise cross-border transit by
people living in the border regions," read the statement issued by
Spokesman James Rubin.
Such endeavours will contribute "toward the ultimate settlement of
the Prevlaka dispute. With this in mind we call on the FRY and
Croatia to intensify their efforts to negotiate a lasting
settlement," the statement concluded.
(hina) ms