CROAT POLICE TO TAKE CONTROL OF ANOTHER 5 U.N. CROSSINGS

OSIJEK, Aug 8 (Hina) - The head of the Association of Croatia's Displaced Persons, Mato Simic, have sent a letter to Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Kostovic informing him of the fact that the Croatian police can undertake the control of another five official U.N. crossings into the U.N. Protection Areas (UNPAS) where the displaced persons have guarded so far. The new checkpoints to be under the Croatian police's control are Brest and Glinska Poljana near Petrinja, the U.N. Sector North, Vojnovac north of Slunj, U.N. Sector North, Sajnerica near Otocac, Sector South. The Croatian police can take up control from the expelled persons over a crossing at the road south of Lipik, Sector West, provided that the Croatian government can ensure the presence of the Croatian police at the local petrol station. The letter underlines that the displaced persons are willing to consider the lifting of blockades at the rest of impeded checkpoints if the Croatian government and UNPROFOR guarantee the return of the expelled people to the "blue" and "pink" zones as well as to the residential settlements included in a pilot programme on the return of the displaced persons by 15 September this year. The Croatian association of refugees also requires the mixed commissions for missing persons and detainees should start with their work immediately. The Croatian police is now controlling 7 official checkpoints out of 19 U.N. crossings into UNPAs. The police have resumed control since 28 July after a one-month blocking of the UNPROFOR movements and following an agreement between the Croatian government and displaced persons. (hina) mar mm 081546 MET aug 94