GOVT DETERMINES DETAILS ON BORDER CROSSING TO BOSNIA

( Editorial: --> 9083 ) ZAGREB, Mar 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Government Thursday reached a decision under which the Stara Gradiska-Bosanska Gradiska border crossing between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina will be made operational for the control of all types of goods, including risky ones like petroleum, tobacco and alcohol. The opening of the border crossing is based on an annexe to an agreement on determining border crossings between Croatia and Bosnia signed 26 September 1997. Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa denied allegations made by certain representatives of European Union countries that Croatia was a controversial factor in the normalisation of relations with Bosnia. Croatia has given its maximum in normalising the flow of people and goods, the premier pointed out. According to Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic, Croatia will open a consulate general in Banja Luka, Bosnian Serb entity, in early May. Negotiations on the establishment of transport and economic relations with that entity will soon follow, he said. In order to alleviate the effects of value added tax, the Government reached a decision on paying compensation to manufacturers of fresh pasteurised milk. The compensation has been introduced in order to bring the milk's price to the same level as before VAT was introduced earlier this year. (hina) ha jn 121722 MET mar 98