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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
January 15, 1999

U.S. Welcomes Extension of the Mandate of the
UN Mission of Observers in Prevlaka

The United States welcomes the decision today of the United Nations Security Council to extend the mandate of the UN Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP), currently operating on the border of the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). We continue to view this dispute as a security, rather than a territorial question, and maintain that resolution of this issue must be consistent with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Croatia within its internationally recognized borders, which the USG views as the inter-republic borders of the former Yugoslavia.

We welcome the decision of the Croatian government to open border crossings at Debeli Brijeg and Konfin along the international border between Croatia and the "FRY." This initiative represents a significant contribution to the peace and security of the area, as well as an important confidence-building measure between the two countries. The Croatian government's standing proposal of "asymmetrical demilitarization" of the area also warrants further consideration.

We call on both sides to redouble efforts to fulfill their commitments to reach a negotiated settlement.

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