The embassy said the article in the Makarsko Primorje paper had elicited resentment among Bosnian citizens.

"We do not wish to comment on the author's view about the manners of guests from Bosnia and Herzegovina or his opinion about their spending because he forgets that visitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina were the most numerous tourists in Makarska for decades, staying in private and other accommodation facilities in the town despite the fact that they had their own holiday homes in the area, and that they have always been well received there," the embassy said.

It went on to say that Bosnians' long tradition of vacationing in Makarska had contributed to the development of that and other Croatian resorts, adding that statements by an individual cannot affect the attitude of Bosnian citizens to the people of Makarska or overall relations between the two countries.

The article in the local paper was about tourists from the neighbouring country who visit Makarska on weekends. The tourists are described as "of-and-on guests" who are a nuisance but who cannot be avoided and removed.

The author of the article also claims that the local community and tourism workers do not benefit from such guests.

The head of the local tourist office, Davor Glavina, said today that all guests are welcome in Makarska and described the article as insulting.