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U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell (R) during his meeting with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov in Washington. CTK/EPA
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell (R) meets with Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov at the State Department in Washington. Photo Reuters
Deputy PM Nikolay Vassilev (left) meets Russian Industry, Science and Technologies Minister Ilya Klebanov. The meeting was attended by Russian Ambassador Vladimir Titov (right). Pressphoto BTA Photo Anelia Nikolova
Yugoslav basketball players greet more than 100,000 cheering fans from the balcony of Belgrade City Hall after winning the world championship title in Indianapolis last weekend, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002. Yugoslavia staged a spectacular party for the homecoming players but the government urged fans to remain dignified and not loot and destroy city property as they did Sunday on a night-long rampage after the 84-77 overtime victory over Argentina. (AP Photo/Emil Vas
 Yugoslav basketball fans cheer and raise the three-finger Serbian salute during a celebration to greet the country's basketball team upon its return from the United States after winning the world championship title in Indianapolis last weekend, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002. Yugoslavia staged a spectacular party for the returning players, but the government urged fans to remain dignified and not loot and destroy city property as the did during Sunday's night-long rampage after the 84-77 overtime final's victory over Argentina. (AP Photo/Mikica Petrovic)
SITUATION IN CRISIS REGIONS.
MIA
Frequent shootouts have been heard during Tuesday night in Tetovo region, which were not aimed at direct targets, police says.
The intensity of shootouts decrease at 05:00 hours, MIA's correspondent reports.
Tetovo Interior Department says volleys of gunfire and sporadic shootouts have been registered from Tetovo Teke, Gorna Carsija, Zicara, Kupenik, Vonvardarska and Ciglana settlements, from a drive-by vehicles, the apartment block 82, Stipska and Gjorce Petrov streets, the medical centre, Goce Stojceski textile schools centre and Kuzman Josifovski Pitu barracks.
Gunshots have been also registered from the villages of Semsevo, Ozormiste, Trebos, Odri, Prsovce, Tearce, Slatino, Neprosteno, Dzepciste, Mala Recica, Zerovjane, Lisec, Gajre and Sipkovica.
Dentist dies in gun attack in Macedonia.
AP
TETOVO, Macedonia - A gunman burst into a dentist's office Tuesday in northwestern Macedonia, firing a machine gun and killing an employee, police said.
Besa Azizi, a 28-year-old dentist, was riddled with bullets and died en route to the hospital, police spokesman Voislav Zafirovski said. He said the gunman escaped, but declined to elaborate on possible motives for the attack.
Despite the gradual implementation of a Western-brokered peace deal that ended a rebel insurgency a year ago, the Macedonian government is still struggling to restore law and order in the tense northwest.
Azizi was employed by a wealthy entrepreneur who owned the premises, which was targeted in a hand-grenade attack in July. No one was injured, and police said at the time that they believed extortion and attempted racketeering was behind that attack. The investigation, however, was inconclusive.
(pvs/bk)
PM GEORGEIVSKI LAID CORNERSTONE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF 66 APARTMENTS IN OHRID.
MIA
Macedonian Prime Minister Ljubcho Georgievski laid Tuesday in Ohrid a cornerstone for construction of 66 apartments.
Metropolitan of Debar-Kicevo and Plaosnik eparchy, Timotej dedicated the cornerstone.
According to the governmental program, total of 166 apartments should be constructed in Ohrid.
The apartments will be completed in 14 months and are intended for the young couples, the persons on welfare, invalids as well as those who have lived in the nationalized apartments. They would be granted under very favorable conditions, with advanced payment of 50 percent and payment period of 15 years with annual interest rate of 8 percent. One square meter will be Euro 500, and the total value of the project is Euro 1,45 million.
"Four thousand apartments have been constructed in the past four years or are still in the process of construction, what means that the government works on resolving of this problem," Georgievski said, adding that "the construction of residential facilities has been increased for ten times."
"The Government with its own means resolves the problem of thousand young couples, which were no one's burden previously, but now the state will realize that responsibility," Georgievski said.
According to him "even the private investors obtained over 380 licenses for construction, and many of them are from Ohrid." He pointed out that in this way the private monopoly was interrupted and the competitiveness as well as the quality construction was stimulated. "All construction companies in Macedonia work with the state investments," Georgievski added.
"We are criticized for building churches and not factories and apartments.
Unfortunately, this is the case because many atheists cannot realize that. We cannot have prosperous economy unless we build churches and monasteries.
We have investments on Plaosnik, Samoilo fortress in everything that means spirit and culture in Ohrid and Macedonia. This is only part of the investment boom and we will turn Ohrid not only into spiritual, but also into economic and tourist center on the Balkans," Georgievski said.
Today, Georgievski formally opened a new residential-business complex in the Kicevo municipality Drugovo.
The residential complex of 18 apartments is for families on welfare from Druguvo.
He laid cornerstone for construction of other 24 apartments, also for families on welfare. The public company for Trade in Residential and Business Premises invested Euro 750,000 in this project.
Metropolitan of Debar and Kicevo Timotej dedicated the cornerstone.
A cornerstone for construction of new factory for cement was also laid in the Drugovo industrial zone. The private company BEMOS - B is the main investor in this factory, which is to employ 85 workers.
A new transformer was also set into work in the Drugovo industrial zone. The Electric Power Supply Company of Macedonia provided funds for this project.
KOZLODOUI N-PLANT.
BTA
Sofia, September 10 (BTA) - The Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRA) intends to invite the regulatory bodies of Germany, the UK and France to inspect generating units 3 and 4 of the Kozlodoui N-plant in October, Energy and Energy Resources Minister Milko Kovachev said.
The three regulatory bodies will prepare the mission of the atomic affairs group next year to establish the real state of the two generating units. The NRA is in the process of signing a contract on cooperation with them. Kovachev stressed that Bulgaria is pursuing a policy of nuclear safety.
The Energy Minister said that in the first five years after the closure of generating units one and two expenditures will total 35 million euro. Some 300 million leva have been raised for the closure of the two units plus 100 million euro in financial aid.
A tender is underway for choosing a consultant to manage the project for the closure of the two oldest units. Three offers have already been received.
US - SECRETARY OF STATE - BULGARIA - PRESIDENT.
BTA
US Secretary of State Lauds Bulgaria's Solidarity with Anti-Terror Coalition.
Washington, September 10 (BTA special correspondent Dimiter Anestev) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell highly appreciates Bulgaria's contribution to the global anti-terror effort. This emerged after Powell's meeting with Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov at the US Department of State on Monday.
Purvanov said that Powell had described as "excellent" Bulgaria's actions in solidarity with the international anti-terror coalition. The Secretary of State also gave high assessment of Bulgaria's progress in army reform, Purvanov said.
The US authorities made no request to Bulgaria with respect to Iraq, Purvanov said.
PRESIDENT PURVANOV-TALKS IN WASHINGTON.
BTA
US Secretary of State Colin Powell Talks to Georgi Purvanov about "Big Bang" NATO Enlargement from the Baltic to the Black Sea.
Washington, DC, September 10 (BTA special correspondent Dimiter Anestev) - Meeting with Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov on Monday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell highlighted President George W. Bush's formula for "Big Bang" NATO enlargement, from the Baltic to the Black Sea.
On September 9 Purvanov arrived on his first visit to the US since he became president in January.
The results of the meeting were summarized by Purvanov for Bulgarian journalists. At his meeting with Powell, he presented Bulgaria's arguments for NATO membership. He cited Sofia's consistent solidarity with the global anti-terrorist coalition, the military reform and political stability in the country.
"Bulgaria's moves to organize its efforts regarding the global anti-terrorist coalition were very highly appreciated," Purvanov said. These moves were described as excellent, he added.
Powell commended the progress of military reform. He called the Bulgarian government's efforts to fight crime and corruption positive. He warned that after its possible entry into NATO, Bulgaria would have to work much harder and to redouble its efforts.
The US has not made requests to Bulgaria regarding Iraq, the US government is continuing its efforts, Purvanov said. He recalled that the Bulgarian position is restrained; a way should be found to inspire respect in Saddam Hussein, but this should be done in keeping with the UN Security Council resolutions and through the UN Security Council's actions.
Bulgaria holds that Iraq should also implement the UN resolutions and admit arms inspectors. Purvanov categorically ruled out linkage between the Iraq issue and NATO membership. The US Secretary of State voiced appreciation for Bulgaria's efforts before the subject of Iraq was raised. Powell was obviously satisfied to hear that despite some delay, Bulgaria was already destroying components of the SS-23 missiles.
Later on Tuesday Purvanov is expected to meet with US Vice President Dick Cheney. The highlights of the conversations with Cheney and Powell are the fight against international terrorism and Bulgaria's participation in the global anti-terrorist coalition.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, who is also in the US, joined the President and gave a news conference at the Bulgarian Embassy to the Bulgarian journalists covering the state leader's visit.
Passy said the EU and the US were very likely to reach agreement on the implementation of Article 98 of the Rome Treaty Establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC), which shields US personnel and officials from prosecution by the ICC. Bulgaria is applying the formula of negotiations with the US in active consultation with the EU, Passy recalled. As to the EU, Passy has been informed that the 15 member states are getting closer to an agreement with the US on what are contentious issues now: the implementation of Article 98 of the Rome Treaty.
"I believe that there is a certain reconciliation of positions and that agreement will be reached," Passy commented.
Asked to comment on the issue of a possible military strike on Iraq, Passy said the big issues under discussion now were whether the US administration would turn to Congress and whether the matter would be referred to the UN Security Council.
The Bulgarian chief diplomat said it was early days yet to talk about a military coalition against Iraq. Passy expressed the view that Bulgaria actively joined the fight against terrorism from the outset and should continue working in this area.
Passy said that talks on NATO membership had given way to the Iraq issue and the fight against international terrorism, which are of much greater current relevance to the US at the moment.
Late on Monday evening Passy met at the US National Security Council with Ambassador Daniel Fried, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European and Eurasian Affairs, the Foreign Ministry's press office told BTA. The two praised the state of Bulgaria-US cooperation and partnership in a number of matters, including the fight against terrorism, Euro-Atlantic integration and regional security in Southeastern Europe, and exchanged views on NATO's Prague Summit in November. Ambassador Fried highly assessed cooperation between Bulgaria and the US in the UN Security Council.
Meeting with Passy, experts of the Senate NATO Observer Group commended Bulgaria's position on the ICC, stressing that they fully supported its principled approach to the search for a solution that would be balanced and acceptable both to the EU and the US. They showed interest in Bulgaria's judiciary reform, the fight against corruption and illegal arms trafficking. The hosts emphasized Bulgaria's role as a US ally in the international coalition against terrorism, and its contribution to the UN Security Council, the Foreign Ministry said.
US-PURVANOV-CHENEY.
BTA
Bulgaria Has US Support for NATO Membership, Says Purvanov after Meeting with Cheney.
Washington D.C. (BTA spec. corr. Dimiter Anestev) - Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov met Tuesday with Vice President Richard Cheney in Washington D.C. The conversation took place via a video conference link because of the tight security measures in connection with the 9/11 attack anniversary.
Emerging from the meeting Purvanov told journalists he had received the US support for Bulgaria's NATO membership.
"Richard Cheney acknowledges the great importance of the upcoming forum in Prague. It was said that we have their [the US] support and that we are expected to work together," the Bulgarian president noted.
Another issue that topped the agenda of the talks was Iraq. Cheney said that the U.S. will not resort to a unilateral strike but will instead seek dialogue, and that they see a more active role of the UN Security Council in finding a possible solution.
The US Vice President thanked Purvanov for Bulgaria's support and its participation in the world anti-terror coalition.
Purvanov stressed that he leaves Washington convinced that US President George Bush's idea for a "Big Bang" enlargement remains topical.
Later on Tuesday the President is expected to leave for New York where he will chair a special open meeting of the UN Security Council on terrorism and will attend the 57th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Actress Starring in "The Mummy Returns" Caused Embarrassment.
Standartnews
Hristo Kunev
Venezuelan beauty Patricia Velazquez landed at Sofia Airport midday yesterday. The model, famous for her part in the movie "The Mummy Returns", is in Bulgaria at the invitation of "BBB" juice-company. She will pose for a calendar for the company and will take part in "Slavi Trifonov's Show". She shared her hope for enjoyable meetings in Bulgaria. Patricia demonstrated her knowledge of Bulgarian history and said she was exceptionally impressed the way Bulgaria had saved her Jews in the WWII. The beauty caused embarrassment at the airport. She was first invited into a black Jeep but later seated into a "Mercedes" limo. It took her to the "Hilton" Hotel. She was holding a spruce bunch of Bulgarian roses.
Disneyland to Be Opened in Sofia.
Standartnews
Antoaneta Peteva
The biggest entertainment park in Southeastern Europe is to start work in a week in Sofia. It will comprise 2 cinema halls, an amphitheatre, a bowling, shops, restaurants, a discotheque both for children and adults, as well as 21 merry-go-rounds, up-and-down roundabouts, a Ferris wheel, a tower, etc. The entertainment park spreads out over 3,5 ha and it is called "Sofialand". The medieval atmosphere of the town of Verona is reproduced in the central 4-storeyed building. Romeo and Juliet are only part of the symbols of the park.
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Missiles Destroyed for Souvenirs.
Standartnews
The PM declined to visit the Zmeyovo Range.
Power-vested have new souvenirs of theirs - pieces of SS-23 missiles. MPs and ministers are expected to fight for these pieces. Today, the first warhead is to be blasted at the Zmeyovo Range. "It is inadmissible that only Defense Minister Nikolay Svinarov should have a piece of the missiles - we want some, too," deputies from the Foreign Policy, Defense and Security Committees commented and took off by a bus to the Range. The Socialists in Parliament, however, boycotted the event. No BSP feet will be set on the Range, they were flat. Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha also declined to attend the show. Almost the entire Ministry of Environment and Water is moving to the village of Zmeyovo. They are to gauge even the grass in front of the mayors' building offices.
SS-23-WARHEAD-DESTRUCTION.
BTA
SS-23 Warhead Destroyed Experimentally, Environmental Parameters within Normal Range.
Village of Pustrovo (Southern Bulgaria), September 10 (BTA special correspondent Asen Boyadjiev) - The first warhead of an SS-23 missile was exploded experimentally at Zmeyovo test range on Tuesday.
Reports following the test showed the environmental parameters were within the normal range. Officials, journalists and members of the public watched the explosion from a distance of 5.4 km from a place overlooking the village of Pustrovo.
CRIMINAL PROPERTY-CONFISCATION-LAW.
BTA
Bill Provides for Confiscation of Criminal Property.
Sofia, September 10 (BTA) - Property acquired with the proceeds of criminal activity will be confiscated by the State under a bill that was presented at a public debate Tuesday by Interior Minister Georgi Petkanov.
The bill says that the property of individuals and corporations will be frozen or confiscated by the State when the owner is unable to prove its legal origin even where he is not subject to criminal prosecution or has an effective sentence against him.
The aim of the bill is to identify property that has been acquired with criminal income and prevent future use of the receipts of criminal activity, the Interior Minister explained.
The bill borrows heavily from the legislation of the United States, Switzerland, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands, and complies with the international conventions against terrorism and the illegal traffic in narcotics.
The public debate on the bill was organized by the Centre for the Study of Democracy and Coalition 2000. Among the participants were Karen Craner, a Justice Department representative at the US Embassy in Sofia, the director of the National Investigative Service Roumen Georgiev, Deputy Finance Minster Gati Al-Jeburi, Supreme Administrative Court President Vladislav Slavov and prime ministerial adviser Konstantin Palikarski.
The bill provides for a special procedure for the confiscation of property whose owners cannot prove beyond doubt the legal origin of the sources used for its acquisition. Such procedure will be launched on the initiative of the district prosecutor or following a tipoff by the competent bodies of the Interior or the Finance Ministry.
In criminal justice, a crime must be proven 100% and a punishment must be passed. In the special procedure, experts will check the property of a criminal who has been caught and punished, and where this person possesses substantial property that is very much likely to have been acquired in criminal ways, it will be confiscated, the Interior Minister explained. This applies not only to the person with a criminal record but to his family and third persons who have benefited from his criminal activity.
The Penal Code makes third persons immune to criminal justice and the perpetrator of the crime has all responsibility. Criminals have put this provision to good use and started assigning their property to third persons - family members or others, to prevent confiscation. With the new legislation they will no longer be able to do that, Petkanov said.
According to him, noone has yet been blacklisted for property checks.
According to the US Embassy representative, many countries have such legislation and the recent shootings in Sofia showed that corruption and organized crime are major problems in Bulgaria. She believes that the best way to get criminals is through their money.
The bill has the support of the Finance Ministry, said Deputy Finance Minister Gati Al-Jeburi, and described it as "a follow-up on the Code of Tax Procedure".
The National Investigative Service director said that the law should be perfect to make sure it does not conflict the Constitution or other laws. One of his criticisms was that the investigative authorities are nowhere present in the bill.
ROMANIA-ACCOUNTING OFFICE-COOPERATION.
BTA
Sofia, September 10 (BTA) - Customs control and more efficient control for the protection of the Danube and the Black Sea were on the agenda of a meeting Tuesday between the presidents of the Bulgarian and Romanian Accounting Office, Georgi Nikolov and Don Drasu Saguna. The press learnt about the meeting from Nikolov.
The two sides agreed to cooperate for better control over what comes in and out of the two countries through the check points on both sides of the common border, Nikolov said.
They will also cooperate by exchange of expert teams, and Bulgaria will help Romania in auditing its national debt.
The delegation of the Romanian Accounting Office is visiting Wednesday the Rousse office of the Bulgarian Accounting Office, where the two sides will sign a cooperation agreement. In Rousse, Don Saguna is also meeting with District Governor Roumen Yanourov and Mayor Eleonora Nikolova.
Russi GMBH, The Largest Wild Mushrooms Company In Russia, Ukraine And Bulgaria, Invests $500,000 In Urbani Holdings.
Urbani Holdings Inc.
LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 2002--Urbani Holdings Inc., one of the largest distributors in the United States of truffles, caviar, wild mushrooms and other specialty gourmet food items, today announced that Russi GMBH ("Russi"), the largest wild mushroom company in Russia, Ukraine and Bulgaria, has made a $500,000 investment into Urbani Holdings, the terms of which have not been disclosed.
Russi GMBH is a leading international producer of fresh, frozen, dried and preserved wild mushrooms.
President of Urbani, Rosario Safina stated, "We are excited to have Russi as an investor in Urbani to accelerate our growth. We believe this investment demonstrates their confidence in the enormous growth potential for our business. Furthermore, our strategic relationship with Russi allows us to aggressively expand our new product lines. These initiatives will help us reach our goal of becoming the leading distributor and exclusive `one-stop-shop' for restaurants, specialty food retailers and supermarkets across the United States."
Dominico Russi, President of Russi GMBH, stated, "We are happy to make this investment into Urbani Holdings, since we view them as the only reliable and continuous source in the U.S. to distribute our high quality products. The U.S. market for wild mushrooms is about 50% larger than Europe and is growing at an exceptional pace. Our partnership with Urbani will accelerate Russi's rapid growth in the United States."
About Urbani Holdings Inc.
Urbani Holdings Inc. is one of the largest importers, packers and distributors of specialty and gourmet food items in the United States to nationally leading retailers and restaurants. These items include truffles, caviars, and 950 other top quality items, such as specialty meats, game mushrooms, infused oils, foie gras, pates, smoked seafood, prepared condiments, sauces and European specialties. For more information please visit www.urbani.com
Forward-Looking Statements.
Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21 E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results.
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Contact:
Urbani Holdings Inc. Rosario Safina, 718/392-5050 rsafina@msn.com or Investor Relations: Strategic Growth International Stan Altschuler / David Waldman 516/829-7111 info@sgi-ir.com
Rulers Still Do Not Pay Attention to People.
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Evgenia Zhivkova
Ralitsa Krasteva
Matriculations will create chaos in universities, maintains MP Evgenia Zhivkova.
Evgenia Zhivkova was born in 1965. In 1988 she graduated in history and philosophy from the Sofia University. Postgraduate in culturology at the same university and in Indian culture at the University in Delhi. From 1991 she took to fashion. She was awarded "The Golden Needle" prize twice. In 2000 she was proclaimed the designer of the year.
- Mrs Zhivkova, you are taking the most active stand on education in Coalition "For Bulgaria". What is your opinion about the policy carried out in this sphere?
- To me, in recent years, it became a tradition to lack national educational strategy. As for the Bulgarian educational processes, both the now and former cabinets were in want of national policy-making. Recently a great number of ignorant kids are graduating from schools. The educational level in Bulgaria is low and therefore matriculations can't be a stepping stone to universities. Prestigious universities will hardly enroll students relying only on the marks at the matriculations. Besides, the quality of training is not the same at different schools, which, to me, will result in a complete chaos while holding mandatory matriculations next year.
Bulgaria has good educational traditions and we'd better preserve and develop them, rather than borrow someone else's models.
- Which are the lessons that Bulgarian politicians did not learn?
- They did not get into the habit to pay attention to people's problems.
(Abr) Yugoslavia Honors Basketball Champs.
By KATARINA KRATOVAC, Associated Press Writer
BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) - Belgrade staged a spectacular homecoming party Tuesday as nearly 100,000 fans crowded the capital's main square to welcome Yugoslavia's world champion basketball team.
The fans hailed the 12 "Golden Gods" as local media dubbed the players for their fifth gold medal at the World Championships in Indianapolis.
Yugoslavia became the first team to repeat as champions since Brazil in 1963.
Dejan Bodiroga, who scored 27 points in the final against Argentina, told the crowd: "This is your gold, you deserve it!"
Sacramento Kings center Vlade Divac joined his teammates in singing popular Serbian songs.
President Vojislav Kostunica delayed his flight to New York to attend a Sept. 11 commemoration and a U.N. General Assembly meeting to congratulate the players as they arrived to the airport.
Prime Minister Dragisa Pesic also congratulated the players, who had their medals dangling around their necks.
"Your magical basketball wizardry will forever shine in our gratitude," he said.
Traffic was paralyzed in the city of the center as the team bus drove through streets lined with flag-waving and screaming fans.
The crowd cheered as the players climbed onto the City Hall balcony.
The celebration went off without trouble, a sharp contrast from early Monday when thousands took to the streets, shooting guns and rifles in the air, looting and wrecking kiosks and store windows following the team's 84-77 overtime victory over Argentina.
On Tuesday, the government urged fans to "remain dignified and welcome the champions while preserving Belgrade."
In Buenos Aires, Argentina's national team returned to a heroes welcome after its second-place finish.
The Buenos Aires international airport was packed with hundreds of flag-waving fans.
When the players emerged from customs, they were met by flowers, cheers of "Well done champions" and a long burst of applause by the enthusiastic crowd.
The players climbed onto tables and saluted the fans.
Croatian Slovene prime ministers agree to impose temporary sea border.
By EUGENE BRCIC, Associated Press Writer
ZAGREB, Croatia - In a bid to end friction over disputed territory in the Adriatic Sea, Croatia and Slovenia on Tuesday agreed to impose a temporary border on the waters.
Slovenia and Croatia both seceded from Yugoslavia in 1991, and their land and sea borders were never clearly defined, particularly in the Piran Bay in the northern Adriatic Sea.
A vague line has served as a border for more than a decade, as prior governments bickered over a permanent border.
Last month, tensions reached an all-time high between the two otherwise friendly neighbors after a series of confrontations in the disputed waters between Croatian patrol boats and Slovene fishermen.
"Today we agreed on ... forming a temporary sea border," Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan told reporters after meeting with his Slovene counterpart, Janez Drnovsek.
Racan said that the duration of the agreement was three months, with the possibility of extension following mutual consent.
Drnovsek welcomed the agreement, which stipulates joint policing and unrestricted fishing for selected local fishermen.
Racan held out hope that Slovenia would in the meantime agree to international arbitration to solve the border issue permanently, while Drnovsek suggested further bilateral negotiations before contemplating such a move.
Although Croatia and Slovenia have reached agreement over 99 percent of territory, they still disagree on a few bordering villages and some 100 square kilometers (60 miles) of water near the Piran Bay in the northern Adriatic Sea.
Tensions on the sea quickly spread to the land after Croat police arrested Josko Joras, a controversial Slovene nationalist who lives in a swath of land currently inside the Croatian border, on civil disobedience charges.
After Drnovsek urged the release of Joras, to ease growing friction and as a sign of good faith before his meeting with Racan, a Croatian court last week freed him midway through a 30-day prison sentence for evading fines for minor offenses dating back to 1991.
(eb/gj)
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