ZAGREB, Dec 10 (Hina)- An agreement between Croatia, Bosnia-+Herzegovina and Stabilisation Force, forged after a recent +incident in Martin Brod, calls for easing of tensions, prevention +of incidents, full freedom of movement, return
of refugees and +resolution of border disputes by an international commission, +Foreign Minister Mate Granic told the press on Thursday. + The incident, caused by SFOR's penetration of a Croat-controlled +area of Martin Brod, arose from the fact that the SFOR command has +heard only the Bosniak side of the story about the ownership of the +area. + "Acting upon that information, SFOR considered the contentious +area of Martin Brod Bosniak and acted accordingly", Granic said. + "When we informed them about the documents in my possession, +proving that the area belongs to the Croats, they realised that they +are faced with a border dispute that should be resolved by civi
ZAGREB, Dec 10 (Hina)- An agreement between Croatia, Bosnia-
Herzegovina and Stabilisation Force, forged after a recent
incident in Martin Brod, calls for easing of tensions, prevention
of incidents, full freedom of movement, return of refugees and
resolution of border disputes by an international commission,
Foreign Minister Mate Granic told the press on Thursday.
The incident, caused by SFOR's penetration of a Croat-controlled
area of Martin Brod, arose from the fact that the SFOR command has
heard only the Bosniak side of the story about the ownership of the
area.
"Acting upon that information, SFOR considered the contentious
area of Martin Brod Bosniak and acted accordingly", Granic said.
"When we informed them about the documents in my possession,
proving that the area belongs to the Croats, they realised that they
are faced with a border dispute that should be resolved by civilised
means, i.e.. by an inter-state commission", Granic said.
The problem has been generated by discrepancies in maps and land
registers owned by the Croats and the Bosniaks, Granic explained.
Here it should be noted that the Una River divides Martin Brod
(southern Croatia/western BH) in two very unequal parts. The larger
part is clearly Bosniak and the smaller one is now subject to
dispute. Croats rest their case on maps, some of which go back to the
Austro-Hungarian monarchy, as well as on land registers and the Una
as a natural divide, whereas Bosniaks, who have "their" maps and
land registers also cite data from the past population censuses.
The situation was especially sensitive due to the presence of
refugees from that area of Martin Brod, who were not allowed to
return home. The group includes 80 persons (one Croat, one Bosniak
and 78 Serbs) whom the agreement guarantees freedom of movement and
the right to return home.
Croatia is extremely satisfied with such resolution of the
conflict, and will insist that in the future all refugees be treated
on equal bases, said he.
Given the complexity of the situation created by the existence of
two sets of documents, the meeting concluded that pending the final
settlement the contentious area could be patrolled by SFOR, Granic
said.
The Croatian minister said he was very satisfied that border
disputes with BH have finally got out of the rut.
(hina) jn mr