"Slovenian officials established that the findings were from the territory of Macedonia and returned them to us," he said.

This afternoon Slovenian officials said part of the tank column was moving slowly across Croatia, and rumors spread that the army would attack on Thursday.

The fighting claimed 25 lives and scores of people were wounded, a Slovenian official said.

Slovenian officials frequently predicted in recent months that the military would come apart if sent into action within Yugoslavia.

His report contradicted claims by Slovenian officials that they had intercepted messages indicating that a military coup might be planned for Thursday or Friday.

But the Slovenian officials provided no evidence to back up their claims.

Slovenian officials said that a Yugoslav Army officer was killed in fighting near Ormoz, toward the Austrian border.

Slovenian officials estimated dead and wounded at more than 100 on both sides.

This time the Italian political elite criticized the "bad taste" of Slovenian officials.

Since then several Slovenian officials have been detained in connection with a criminal investigation into arms smuggling.