Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ZAGREB284
2003-02-06 08:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 01 OF 05 060851Z
REF: A. ZAGREB 193
B. 02 STATE 163905
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR LAWRENCE ROSSIN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B,D)
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 01 OF 05 060851Z
REF: A. ZAGREB 193
B. 02 STATE 163905
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR LAWRENCE ROSSIN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B,D)
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) FROM FEBRUARY 3-5, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE MIRA RICARDEL LED A TEAM OF U.S. POLICY MAKERS FROM
OSD, THE JOINT STAFF, MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD AND US
EUROPEAN COMMAND IN BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS WITH
CROATIA. IN MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT MESIC, PRIME MINISTER
RACAN, DEFENSE MINISTER ANTUNOVIC AND CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF
LUCIC, RICARDEL URGED FURTHER PROGRESS ON DEFENSE REFORM AND
PRESSED FOR RESOLUTION OF LEGAL ISSUES OBSTRUCTING CLOSER
U.S.-CROATIAN MILITARY COOPERATION. RICARDEL PRAISED
CROATIA'S COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL WAR ON
TERRORISM AND URGED GOC LEADERS TO PRESS FORWARD ON
PRIORITIES RAISED DURING THE RECENT REVIEW OF CROATIA'S FIRST
ANNUAL NATIONAL PROGRAM UNDER NATO'S MAP PROGRAM. ON
FEBRUARY 4, DASD RICARDEL AND DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC SIGNED AN
AGREEMENT TO HELP CROATIA DEVELOP ITS CAPABILITY TO COMBAT
PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
2. (C) PM RACAN EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR U.S. ASSISTANCE
TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER CROATIA'S BORDERS AND TO COMBAT WMD
PROLIFERATION. HE DESCRIBED THE KEY REFORMS HIS GOVERNMENT
HAS IMPLEMENTED SINCE IT CAME TO POWER IN 2000, MOST OF WHICH
HAVE COME AT A HIGH PRICE, BUT ALL OF WHICH MAKE CROATIA A
LEADING CANDIDATE FOR INTEGRATION INTO EURO-ATLANTIC
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 00284 01 OF 05 060851Z
INSTITUTIONS. BOTH RACAN AND DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC ASSERTED THAT
THE CABINET WILL PASS A MEASURE ON FEBRUARY 6 WHICH WILL
ALLOW USN SHIPS VISITING CROATIAN PORTS TO IMPLEMENT
NECESSARY FORCE PROTECTION PRACTICES, WHICH SHOULD CLEAR THE
WAY FOR U.S. SHIP VISITS TO RESUME.
3. (C) CROATIA IS SERIOUS ABOUT ITS NATO ASPIRATIONS AND HAS
BECOME A NET CONTRIBUTOR TO SECURITY IN THE REGION. BUT
CROATIA'S POLITICAL LEADERSHIP MUST FIRST IDENTIFY AS A
NATIONAL PRIORITY AND THEN ALLOCATE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES
TO ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES NEEDED IN THE DEFENSE
MINISTRY AND THE CROATIAN ARMED FORCES. IT MUST ALSO BEGIN
TO ADDRESS THE SERIOUS POLITICAL AND SOCIETAL ISSUES
ADDRESSED IN ITS RECENT NATO REVIEW. END SUMMARY.
4. (C) FROM FEBRUARY 3-5 DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE MIRA RICARDEL VISITED ZAGREB FOR THE FIRST FORMAL
BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS (BDC) WITH THE CROATIAN
MINISTRY OF DEFENSE. WITH DASD RICARDEL WERE GENERAL EUGENE
ANDREOTTI, ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
(CROATIA'S STATE PARTNER),REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD JASKOT OF US
EUROPEAN COMMAND'S J5, AND ALAN VAN EGMOND, DOD'S DIRECTOR OF
WESTERN EURASIA AND BALKANS AFFAIRS. DASD RICARDEL MET
SEPARATELY WITH PRESIDENT STIPE MESIC, PRIME MINISTER IVICA
RACAN, DEFENSE MINISTER ZELJKA ANTUNOVIC AND WITH THE NEWLY
APPOINTED CHIEF OF CROATIA'S GENERAL STAFF, JOSIP LUCIC.
THREE BDC WORKING GROUPS DISCUSSED INTEROPERABILITY WITH
NATO, DEFENSE REFORM AND MODERNIZATION, AND BORDER SECURITY
AND COUNTER - PROLIFERATION.
===============================
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 00284 01 OF 05 060851Z
BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS
===============================
5. (C) THE FORMAL STRUCTURE OF THE BDC CONSISTED OF AN
OPENING PLENARY SESSION FOLLOWED BY THREE WORKING GROUP
MEETINGS TO FOCUS ON KEY ISSUES OF BILATERAL CONCERN. IN HER
OPENING STATEMENT, DASD RICARDEL RECOGNIZED CROATIA'S
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WAR ON TERRORISM, HIGHLIGHTING THE
INTERDICTION OF THE M/V BOKA STAR, THE CONTRIBUTION OF
WEAPONS AND MUNITIONS TO THE AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY AND THE
IMMINENT DEPLOYMENT OF A MILITARY POLICE PLATOON TO
AFGHANISTAN IN SUPPORT OF ISAF. EUCOM'S RADM JASKOT GAVE A
BRIEFING ON THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM, HIGHLIGHTING THE
CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY PARTNERS. DASD RICARDEL FOLLOWED WITH
A HARD-HITTING PRESENTATION ON THE CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGERS
PRESENTED BY THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION, PARTICULARLY THE NEXUS BETWEEN TERRORIST GROUPS,
STATES WHICH SPONSOR TERRORISM AND WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION.
6. (C) CROATIAN PRESENTATIONS TO THE PLENARY SESSION COVERED
CROATIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR ON TERRORISM AND TO OTHER
PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS. DASD RICARDEL WELCOMED CROATIA'S
EAGERNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN SO MANY OPERATIONS, BUT
QUESTIONED IF CROATIA HAS A FISCAL PLAN OR HAS IDENTIFIED
SPECIFIC RESOURCES TO CONDUCT SUCH OPERATIONS. ASSISTANT
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ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DOEE-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
AC-01 DCP-01 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00
DTC-00 EPAE-00 SSD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
G-00 SSR-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /008W
-------------- 31C213 060851Z /38
O 060830Z FEB 03
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9400
INFO JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 02 OF 05 060851Z
DEFMIN JELENA GRCIC POLIC, NOTING AN INTERAGENCY PAPER IN
PROGRESS, RESPONDED THAT THE ISAF DEPLOYMENT WILL BE THE
FIRST INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY WHICH THE MOD'S BUDGET WILL NOT
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ABSORBING; THE CABINET TOOK A DECISION TO
FINANCE THIS ACTIVITY WITH A SEPARATE LINE ITEM. THE MOD
HOPES TO REPLICATE THIS PRACTICE FOR OTHER PEACE SUPPORT
OPERATIONS AND FOR FUNDING DEFENSE REFORMS LIKE DOWNSIZING,
WHICH ARE FAR BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE MOD'S BUDGET.
WORKING GROUPS PRODUCE CONCRETE RESULTS
--------------
7. (C) THE THREE WORKING GROUPS DISCUSSED THE BROAD RANGE OF
ISSUES RELATING TO U.S. - CROATIA BILATERAL DEFENSE
RELATIONS. FOLLOWING SUBSTANTIVE PRESENTATIONS OF CROATIA'S
REFORM PLANS, U.S. PARTICIPANTS PROPOSED SEVERAL CONCRETE
AREAS WHERE USG EXPERIENCE AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS MIGHT BE
ABLE TO HELP ACHIEVE MOD GOALS. WORKING GROUPS REVIEWED
CROATIA'S PROGRESS IN NATO'S MAP PROGRAM, DISCUSSED THE USE
OF U.S. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT CROATIA'S DEFENSE REFORM,
MODERNIZATION AND TRAINING GOALS, AND BORDER SECURITY AND
COUNTER-PROLIFERATION. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WORKING
GROUPS AGREED:
- TO FORM AN INFORMAL BILATERAL LEGAL WORKING GROUP BETWEEN
EUCOM AND CROATIAN MOD EXPERTS (AUGMENTED AS NECESSARY) TO
MOVE QUICKLY TO RESOLVE OUTSTANDING IMPEDIMENTS TO MILITARY
COOPERATION, AND
- THAT THE GOC WOULD FORM A JOINT CIVILIAN-MILITARY
INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS EXPORT CONTROL AND
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BORDER SECURITY ISSUES. THIS GROUP WILL SERVE AS THE GOC'S
INTERFACE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND WOULD HELP
COORDINATE AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE EFFORTS.
8. (U) THE BDC CONCLUDED BY DECIDING TO MEET AGAIN IN A
YEAR'S TIME WITH THE U.S. HOSTING.
==================
BILATERAL MEETINGS
==================
PM RACAN: PROGRESS TOWARD NATO AND EU MEMBERSHIP
-------------- ---
9. (C) IN A MEETING WITH DASD RICARDEL AND THE AMBASSADOR,
PM RACAN DESCRIBED IN DETAIL HOW CROATIA'S PROGRESS ON
REFORMS MAKES IT A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR INTEGRATION INTO
EURO-ATLANTIC INSTITUTIONS. DESPITE THE INTRA-COALITION
BRINKSMANSHIP THAT SO OFTEN CROWDS THE HEADLINES, RACAN SAID
HIS GOVERNMENT IS STABLE AND WILL SERVE OUT ITS FULL TERM.
COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC REFORM HAS PRODUCED DURABLE RESULTS,
THE MACROECONOMIC SITUATION IS STABLE, GDP GROWTH IS EXPECTED
TO REACH 5 PERCENT THIS YEAR, AND UNEMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN
DECREASING FOR THE PAST TEN MONTHS. RACAN STATED THAT HIS
GOVERNMENT WILL NOT SLACK OFF THE PACE OF REFORMS IN ITS LAST
YEAR, AND PLEDGED HIS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD
WITH REFORMS IN THE MILITARY.
10. (C) ACCORDING TO RACAN, CROATIA IS SUCCESSFULLY
ADDRESSING THE POLITICAL CONDITIONS OF NATO AND THE EU. HE
CLAIMED CROATIA SHOULD HAVE "SOLVED" THE PROBLEM OF MINORITY
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RIGHTS WITH PASSAGE OF A PROGRESSIVE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW ON
NATIONAL MINORITIES, BUT ADMITTED THAT IMPLEMENTATION IS
INCOMPLETE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. RACAN DEFENDED GOC ACTION ON
REFUGEE RETURN; CROATIA'S POST-WAR "ETHNIC MOSAIC" WILL NEVER
BE THE SAME AS IT WAS BEFORE 1991, BUT THE GOC IS COMMITTED
TO SUPPORTING THE RETURN OF ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO COME BACK.
FULLY 100,000 HAVE ALREADY RETURNED SINCE 2000, HE EXPECTS
ANOTHER 20,000 WILL SEEK TO RETURN IN 2003. THE GOC HAS
COMMITTED 300 MILLION EUROS IN ITS 2003 BUDGET TO
RECONSTRUCTION AND RETURN; ALL THOSE WHO FORMALLY EXPRESSED A
DESIRE TO RETURN TO CROATIA BY THE END OF 2002 WILL BE
ACCOMMODATED BY THE END OF 2003, RACAN CLAIMED.
11. (C) RACAN TOUTED CROATIA'S STRONG RECORD OF REGIONAL
COOPERATION AND SAID THE GOC WAS STRONGLY INCLINED TO LIFT
ITS VISA REQUIREMENT FOR CITIZENS OF YUGOSLAVIA, THOUGH THIS
WAS POLITICALLY QUITE SENSITIVE. HE REMARKED THAT SUCH
CROATIAN LIBERALIZATION WOULD, IRONICALLY, COME JUST AS
HUNGARY IMPOSES A VISA REQUIREMENT ON THE FRY.
12. (C) ON CROATIA'S RELATIONS WITH ICTY, RACAN ASSERTED
THAT CROATIA IS IN FULL COMPLIANCE AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S
COMMITMENT TO CLOSE COOPERATION HAS BEEN VALIDATED BY ITS
APPROACH TO THE BOBETKO CASE. FIRST, THE VERY PUBLIC
DISCUSSION OF HOW LACK OF COOPERATION WITH ICTY WOULD AFFECT
CROATIA'S CHANCES TO ENTER THE EU AND NATO HAVE SHORED UP
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CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9118
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ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DOEE-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
AC-01 DCP-01 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00
DTC-00 EPAE-00 SSD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
G-00 SSR-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /008W
-------------- 31C22A 060852Z /38
O 060830Z FEB 03
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9401
INFO JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 03 OF 05 060852Z
PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE GOC POSITION, SECOND, THE
OPPOSITION'S ATTEMPTS TO DESTABILIZE THE DOMESTIC POLITICAL
SCENE FAILED, AND THIRD, CROATIA'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULED
THAT ICTY IS THE COURT OF JURISDICTION FOR ALL FUTURE
APPEALS, CUTTING OFF OPPOSITION LEGAL MANEUVERS. HE CLAIMED
THAT ICTY IS NOW "OFF OF THE EU AGENDA," AND HIS UPCOMING
VISIT TO THE UK WILL TAKE PLACE IN THAT CONTEXT. RACAN ADDED
THAT WITH THE BOBETKO CASE SOON TO REACH FINAL RESOLUTION,
"NOW GOTOVINA HAS BECOME TOPICAL," BUT HE STRESSED THAT
"CROATIA WILL NOT BE HELD HOSTAGE BY GENERAL GOTOVINA."
13. (C) AS IN ALL HER BILATERAL MEETINGS, DASD RICARDEL
THANKED CROATIA FOR ITS SUPPORT TO AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM. WITH RACAN, SHE ALSO LAID DOWN A
MARKER FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE REQUESTS FOR LANDING RIGHTS AND
TRANSIT OF U.S. PERSONNEL EN ROUTE TO THE MIDDLE EAST REGION
FOR MOVEMENT OF FORCES RELATED TO IRAQ; WHILE HE MADE NO
COMMITMENTS, HE EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THAT SUCH REQUESTS WOULD
BE FAVORABLY REVIEWED. DASD RICARDEL TOLD RACAN THAT SHE HAD
GIVEN THE BDC PLENARY SESSION A BLUNT BRIEFING ON THE THREATS
OF PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION; THE USG
APPRECIATES PAST GOC SUPPORT IN REFRAINING FROM SALES OF
WEAPONS OR DUAL-USE ITEMS TO STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM AND
URGED CONTINUED ADHERENCE TO THIS POLICY OF NOT SELLING
WEAPONS TO LIBYA AND SIMILAR STATES.
14. (C) RICARDEL PRESSED RACAN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DEFENSE
REFORMS AND EXPRESSED UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFICULT ROAD
AHEAD; THE U.S. WOULD CONTINUE TO ASSIST WHERE IT CAN.
RICARDEL SAID THE U.S. WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT CROATIA'S
RESTRUCTURING EFFORTS AS IT MAKES ITS BID FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 00284 03 OF 05 060852Z
AND URGED RACAN TO SUPPORT THE REFORMS IDENTIFIED IN THE MAP
ANP REVIEW PROCESS, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATING TO CIVIL
SOCIETY ISSUES LIKE REFUGEE RETURN.
15. (C) DASD RICARDEL TOUCHED ON THE ISSUE OF THE USG'S
OUTSTANDING REQUEST TO SIGN AN ARTICLE 98 AGREEMENT WITH
CROATIA. SHE EXPLAINED U.S. LEGISLATION MAKING PROVISION OF
MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO ALL NON-NATO STATES CONTINGENT ON
SIGNING SUCH AN AGREEMENT BY JULY 1, 2003; USG MILITARY
ASSISTANCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR CROATIA TO ACHIEVE ITS
MODERNIZATION AND INTEROPERABILITY GOALS. RACAN EXPLAINED
THAT CROATIA IS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE EU'S INSISTENCE THAT
CANDIDATES TOE THE EU LINE AND THE USG'S INSISTENCE ON AN CIC
EXEMPTION. HE CONTINUES TO WAIT FOR A CLEAR SIGNAL FROM
BRUSSELS BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. THE AMBASSADOR TOLD RACAN
THAT USG-EU DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE, BUT THE EU HAS ALREADY
STATED IT DOES NOT OBJECT TO ARTICLE 98 AGREEMENTS, BUT HAS
SIMPLY SET A LIST OF CRITERIA WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
STRESSING THE APPROACHING DEADLINE UNDER U.S. LEGISLATION,
THE AMBASSADOR POINTED OUT TO RACAN THAT THE GOC EVENTUALLY
MAY HAVE TO DECIDE BASED ON CROATIA'S GOALS AND NEEDS, NOT
THOSE OF THE EU.
PRESIDENT MESIC: CROATIA WILL CONTINUE DIFFICULT REFORMS
-------------- --------------
16. (C) DASD RICARDEL THANKED PRESIDENT MESIC FOR HIS MORAL
LEADERSHIP ON REFORM ISSUES AND FOR HIS INSISTENCE THAT
CROATIA MUST CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH THE HAGUE. SHE URGED
THAT HE LEND HIS LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORT OF THE ISSUE OF
DEFENSE DOWNSIZING AND RESTRUCTURING. LIKE RACAN, MESIC
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OUTLINED THE STRONG ECONOMIC PROGRESS THE GOC CONTINUES TO
MAKE, BUT EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION AT THE GOVERNMENT'S INABILITY
TO GET ITS MESSAGE OUT TO THE PUBLIC. HE PLEDGED CROATIA'S
COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE WITH NECESSARY REFORMS, BUT EXPLAINED
THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONTEXT IN WHICH THE MOD
MUST CARRY OUT DOWNSIZING EFFORTS. MESIC HAILED THE USG
COMMITMENT TO ASSIST CROATIA TO COMBAT THE PROLIFERATION OF
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. DASD RICARDEL REQUESTED
CROATIA'S CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR IRAQI COMPLIANCE WITH UN
RESOLUTIONS NOTING THAT CROATIA EXPERIENCED FIRST-HAND THE
CONSEQUENCES OF STATES' NON-COMPLIANCE WITH UN RESOLUTIONS.
CHOD LUCIC: U.S. COOPERATION ALREADY BEARS RESULTS
-------------- --------------
17. (C) DASD RICARDEL CONGRATULATED CHIEF OF CROATIA'S
GENERAL STAFF JOSIP LUCIC ON HIS RECENT APPOINTMENT AND
EMPHASIZED THE USG DESIRE TO CONTINUE WITH STRONG BILATERAL
MILITARY COOPERATION. LUCIC STRONGLY SUPPORTED U.S.
ENGAGEMENT, AND PARTICULARLY HAILED IMET TRAINING PROGRAMS AS
AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF U.S. INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF
CROATIA'S ARMED FORCES. A RECENT AND ENTHUSIASTIC GRADUATE
OF AN IMET ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING PROGRAM, LUCIC ASSERTED
THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF CROATIA'S OFFICERS HAVE BENEFITED
FROM THE PROGRAMS. RICARDEL PRESSED LUCIC TO ENSURE THAT
CROATIAN MILITARY PERSONNEL TRAINED BY U.S. PROGRAMS ARE
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ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DOEE-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
AC-01 DCP-01 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00
DTC-00 EPAE-00 SSD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
G-00 SSR-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /008W
-------------- 31C236 060852Z /38
O 060830Z FEB 03
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9402
INFO JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 04 OF 05 060852Z
PLACED IN POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY. LUCIC THANKED THE
U.S. FOR THE PROPOSAL OF A COUNTERPART VISIT TO THE U.S. AND
HOPED THIS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN AUTUMN 2003.
DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC: COMMITTED TO REFORMS, LOTS OF WORK AHEAD
-------------- --------------
18. (C) DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC EXPRESSED HER STRONG SATISFACTION
WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE U.S. - CROATIAN BILATERAL
RELATIONSHIP. SHE EXPRESSED REGRET AT NOT BEING ABLE TO BE
MORE INTIMATELY INVOLVED WITH THE WORK OF THE BDC, BUT
EXPLAINED THAT HER MOD IS SIMULTANEOUSLY HOSTING A PARP
REVIEW LED BY NATO ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL ALTENBURG.
ANTUNOVIC DESCRIBED U.S. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN CAF
MODERNIZATION, ENHANCED INTEROPERABILITY AND TRAINING AND
EDUCATION AS ESSENTIAL FOR CROATIA'S PROGRESS. SHE THANKED
DASD RICARDEL FOR THE NEW USG COMMITMENT TO HELP CROATIA
DEVELOP ITS COUNTER-PROLIFERATION ACTIVITIES.
19. (C) DASD RICARDEL PRESSED ANTUNOVIC TO ADDRESS LEGAL
ISSUES WHICH ARE INCREASINGLY LIMITING U.S. - CROATIA
BILATERAL MILITARY COOPERATION, SPECIFICALLY FORCE PROTECTION
AND VISITS OF U.S. NUCLEAR VESSELS. ANTUNOVIC DESCRIBED GOC
PLANS TO RESOLVE CURRENT LEGAL LIMITS PREVENTING
IMPLEMENTATION OF POST-USS COLE FORCE PROTECTION STANDARDS
ABOARD USN SHIPS IN CROATIAN PORTS. DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC
ASSERTED THAT THE CABINET WILL PASS A MEASURE ON FEBRUARY 6
WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR EXECUTIVE BRANCH APPROVAL OF FORCE
PROTECTION PRACTICES, WHICH SHOULD CLEAR THE WAY FOR U.S.
SHIP VISITS TO RESUME. SHE EXPLAINED THE GOC INTENTIONS TO
SEEK CHANGES TO CURRENT MARITIME LAW TO ALLOW FOR THE
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PRESENCE OF NUCLEAR POWERED VESSELS IN CROATIA'S INLAND
WATERS, BUT ADMITTED THAT THIS GOAL WOULD TAKE TIME TO
ACHIEVE.
20. (C) DASD RICARDEL THANKED DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC FOR HER
POLICY LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.
ANTUNOVIC ASSERTED THAT THE WAR ON TERROR IS BOTH A CHALLENGE
AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CROATIA TO SHOW WHAT IT STANDS FOR.
AT THE END OF THEIR MEETING, DASD RICARDEL AND DEFMIN
ANTUNOVIC SIGNED AN AGREEMENT GOVERNING MODALITIES OF
PROVISION OF USG ASSISTANCE TO HELP CROATIA DEVELOP ITS
CAPABILITY TO COMBAT PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION. ANTUNOVIC NOTED THAT CROATIA WAS GAINING
EXPERTISE AND EQUIPMENT AND THE U.S. WAS GAINING A PARTNER.
THE EVENT WAS WELL AND POSITIVELY COVERED IN THE CROATIAN
PRESS.
21. (C) ON FEBRUARY 5, AFTER THE FORMAL CLOSING OF THE BDC,
DASD RICARDEL VISITED THE MP PLATOON WHICH WILL DEPLOY IN
SUPPORT OF ISAF. SHE WAS HOSTED BY BRIGADIER GENERAL JOSIP
STOJKOVIC, COMMANDER OF THE "CROATIA BARRACKS." SHE RECEIVED
A BRIEFING ON THE EQUIPMENT AND CAPABILITIES OF THE UNIT,
WHICH IS ANTICIPATED TO DEPLOY TO KABUL BY THE END OF
FEBRUARY WITH THE GERMAN CONTINGENT. DASD RICARDEL ALSO
REVIEWED THE NBC PLATOON DESIGNATED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR
PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS BY THE END OF 2003. RICARDEL
PRAISED CROATIA'S DETERMINATION TO DEVELOP SPECIALIZED
CAPABILITIES TO CONTRIBUTE TO NATO AND COALITION ACTIVITIES
AND OPERATIONS.
22. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF JOINT STATEMENT RELEASED AFTER THE
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SIGNING OF THE WMD AGREEMENT.
RECOGNIZING A COMMON INTEREST IN STRENGTHENING BILATERAL
COOPERATION AND PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL PEACE, SECURITY AND
STABILITY, THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE
CROATIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE HELD THE FIRST OF WHAT WILL
BECOME REGULAR BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS IN ZAGREB,
CROATIA ON FEBRUARY 4, 2003.
THE TEAM FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WAS LED BY MS.
MIRA RICARDEL, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR
EURASIA. THE U.S. DELEGATION WAS WELCOMED BY MS. ZELJKA
ANTUNOVIC, THE CROATIAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE, MR. ZLATKO
GARELJIC, DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER, AND DR. JELENA GRCIC
POLIC, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENSE POLICY. THE
CONSULTATIONS WERE AIMED AT ELABORATING AREAS FOR COOPERATION
BETWEEN THE RESPECTIVE DEFENSE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE U.S. CO-CHAIR EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR CROATIA'S
INCREASING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.
THE U.S. AND CROATIA SIGNED THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT
OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA CONCERNING COOPERATION IN THE AREA
OF PREVENTION OF PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION, AND THE PROMOTION OF DEFENSE AND MILITARY
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ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DOEE-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
AC-01 DCP-01 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00
DTC-00 EPAE-00 SSD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
G-00 SSR-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /008W
-------------- 31C23B 060852Z /38
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FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9403
INFO JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 05 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
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RELATIONS. THIS AGREEMENT ESTABLISHES THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK
FOR JOINT EFFORTS TO COUNTER PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION AND IMPROVE CROATIA'S BORDER SECURITY
CAPABILITIES.
AS A RESULT OF THE BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS, BOTH
SIDES AGREED TO FOCUS EFFORTS OVER THE FORTHCOMING YEAR ON
ATTAINING MUTUAL-DETERMINED GOALS IN THE FOLLOWING THREE
AREAS: FIRST, DEVELOPING CAPABILITIES TO ENHANCE CROATIA'S
INTEROPERABILITY WITH NATO; SECOND, SUPPORTING NECESSARY
DEFENSE REFORM AND MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS FOR THE CROATIAN
ARMED FORCES; AND, THIRD, PURSUING JOINT ACTIVITIES IN THE
AREA OF BORDER SECURITY AND MARITIME INTERDICTION OPERATIONS.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION, JOINT EXERCISES, AND REGULAR DEFENSE
CONTACTS ARE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF THESE AREAS OF
COOPERATION.
THE SIDES REAFFIRMED THE IMPORTANCE OF STRENGTHENING
RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, AS WELL AS PROMOTING SECURITY AND
STABILITY IN THE REGION. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF THE
UNITED STATES AND THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF
CROATIA PLAN TO EXPLORE AND DEVELOP FURTHER INITIATIVES TO
MORE MEET COMMON SECURITY CHALLENGES MORE EFFECTIVELY. BOTH
SIDES AGREED TO HOLD BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS AGAIN
NEXT YEAR WITH THE UNITED STATES HOSTING.
END TEXT OF JOINT STATEMENT
23. (U) DASD RICARDEL CLEARED THIS MESSAGE.
ROSSIN
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CONFIDENTIAL
>
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 01 OF 05 060851Z
REF: A. ZAGREB 193
B. 02 STATE 163905
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR LAWRENCE ROSSIN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B,D)
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) FROM FEBRUARY 3-5, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE MIRA RICARDEL LED A TEAM OF U.S. POLICY MAKERS FROM
OSD, THE JOINT STAFF, MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD AND US
EUROPEAN COMMAND IN BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS WITH
CROATIA. IN MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT MESIC, PRIME MINISTER
RACAN, DEFENSE MINISTER ANTUNOVIC AND CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF
LUCIC, RICARDEL URGED FURTHER PROGRESS ON DEFENSE REFORM AND
PRESSED FOR RESOLUTION OF LEGAL ISSUES OBSTRUCTING CLOSER
U.S.-CROATIAN MILITARY COOPERATION. RICARDEL PRAISED
CROATIA'S COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL WAR ON
TERRORISM AND URGED GOC LEADERS TO PRESS FORWARD ON
PRIORITIES RAISED DURING THE RECENT REVIEW OF CROATIA'S FIRST
ANNUAL NATIONAL PROGRAM UNDER NATO'S MAP PROGRAM. ON
FEBRUARY 4, DASD RICARDEL AND DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC SIGNED AN
AGREEMENT TO HELP CROATIA DEVELOP ITS CAPABILITY TO COMBAT
PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
2. (C) PM RACAN EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR U.S. ASSISTANCE
TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER CROATIA'S BORDERS AND TO COMBAT WMD
PROLIFERATION. HE DESCRIBED THE KEY REFORMS HIS GOVERNMENT
HAS IMPLEMENTED SINCE IT CAME TO POWER IN 2000, MOST OF WHICH
HAVE COME AT A HIGH PRICE, BUT ALL OF WHICH MAKE CROATIA A
LEADING CANDIDATE FOR INTEGRATION INTO EURO-ATLANTIC
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INSTITUTIONS. BOTH RACAN AND DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC ASSERTED THAT
THE CABINET WILL PASS A MEASURE ON FEBRUARY 6 WHICH WILL
ALLOW USN SHIPS VISITING CROATIAN PORTS TO IMPLEMENT
NECESSARY FORCE PROTECTION PRACTICES, WHICH SHOULD CLEAR THE
WAY FOR U.S. SHIP VISITS TO RESUME.
3. (C) CROATIA IS SERIOUS ABOUT ITS NATO ASPIRATIONS AND HAS
BECOME A NET CONTRIBUTOR TO SECURITY IN THE REGION. BUT
CROATIA'S POLITICAL LEADERSHIP MUST FIRST IDENTIFY AS A
NATIONAL PRIORITY AND THEN ALLOCATE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES
TO ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES NEEDED IN THE DEFENSE
MINISTRY AND THE CROATIAN ARMED FORCES. IT MUST ALSO BEGIN
TO ADDRESS THE SERIOUS POLITICAL AND SOCIETAL ISSUES
ADDRESSED IN ITS RECENT NATO REVIEW. END SUMMARY.
4. (C) FROM FEBRUARY 3-5 DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE MIRA RICARDEL VISITED ZAGREB FOR THE FIRST FORMAL
BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS (BDC) WITH THE CROATIAN
MINISTRY OF DEFENSE. WITH DASD RICARDEL WERE GENERAL EUGENE
ANDREOTTI, ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
(CROATIA'S STATE PARTNER),REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD JASKOT OF US
EUROPEAN COMMAND'S J5, AND ALAN VAN EGMOND, DOD'S DIRECTOR OF
WESTERN EURASIA AND BALKANS AFFAIRS. DASD RICARDEL MET
SEPARATELY WITH PRESIDENT STIPE MESIC, PRIME MINISTER IVICA
RACAN, DEFENSE MINISTER ZELJKA ANTUNOVIC AND WITH THE NEWLY
APPOINTED CHIEF OF CROATIA'S GENERAL STAFF, JOSIP LUCIC.
THREE BDC WORKING GROUPS DISCUSSED INTEROPERABILITY WITH
NATO, DEFENSE REFORM AND MODERNIZATION, AND BORDER SECURITY
AND COUNTER - PROLIFERATION.
===============================
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BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS
===============================
5. (C) THE FORMAL STRUCTURE OF THE BDC CONSISTED OF AN
OPENING PLENARY SESSION FOLLOWED BY THREE WORKING GROUP
MEETINGS TO FOCUS ON KEY ISSUES OF BILATERAL CONCERN. IN HER
OPENING STATEMENT, DASD RICARDEL RECOGNIZED CROATIA'S
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WAR ON TERRORISM, HIGHLIGHTING THE
INTERDICTION OF THE M/V BOKA STAR, THE CONTRIBUTION OF
WEAPONS AND MUNITIONS TO THE AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY AND THE
IMMINENT DEPLOYMENT OF A MILITARY POLICE PLATOON TO
AFGHANISTAN IN SUPPORT OF ISAF. EUCOM'S RADM JASKOT GAVE A
BRIEFING ON THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM, HIGHLIGHTING THE
CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY PARTNERS. DASD RICARDEL FOLLOWED WITH
A HARD-HITTING PRESENTATION ON THE CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGERS
PRESENTED BY THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION, PARTICULARLY THE NEXUS BETWEEN TERRORIST GROUPS,
STATES WHICH SPONSOR TERRORISM AND WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION.
6. (C) CROATIAN PRESENTATIONS TO THE PLENARY SESSION COVERED
CROATIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR ON TERRORISM AND TO OTHER
PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS. DASD RICARDEL WELCOMED CROATIA'S
EAGERNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN SO MANY OPERATIONS, BUT
QUESTIONED IF CROATIA HAS A FISCAL PLAN OR HAS IDENTIFIED
SPECIFIC RESOURCES TO CONDUCT SUCH OPERATIONS. ASSISTANT
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ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DOEE-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
AC-01 DCP-01 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00
DTC-00 EPAE-00 SSD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
G-00 SSR-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /008W
-------------- 31C213 060851Z /38
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FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9400
INFO JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 02 OF 05 060851Z
DEFMIN JELENA GRCIC POLIC, NOTING AN INTERAGENCY PAPER IN
PROGRESS, RESPONDED THAT THE ISAF DEPLOYMENT WILL BE THE
FIRST INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY WHICH THE MOD'S BUDGET WILL NOT
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ABSORBING; THE CABINET TOOK A DECISION TO
FINANCE THIS ACTIVITY WITH A SEPARATE LINE ITEM. THE MOD
HOPES TO REPLICATE THIS PRACTICE FOR OTHER PEACE SUPPORT
OPERATIONS AND FOR FUNDING DEFENSE REFORMS LIKE DOWNSIZING,
WHICH ARE FAR BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE MOD'S BUDGET.
WORKING GROUPS PRODUCE CONCRETE RESULTS
--------------
7. (C) THE THREE WORKING GROUPS DISCUSSED THE BROAD RANGE OF
ISSUES RELATING TO U.S. - CROATIA BILATERAL DEFENSE
RELATIONS. FOLLOWING SUBSTANTIVE PRESENTATIONS OF CROATIA'S
REFORM PLANS, U.S. PARTICIPANTS PROPOSED SEVERAL CONCRETE
AREAS WHERE USG EXPERIENCE AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS MIGHT BE
ABLE TO HELP ACHIEVE MOD GOALS. WORKING GROUPS REVIEWED
CROATIA'S PROGRESS IN NATO'S MAP PROGRAM, DISCUSSED THE USE
OF U.S. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT CROATIA'S DEFENSE REFORM,
MODERNIZATION AND TRAINING GOALS, AND BORDER SECURITY AND
COUNTER-PROLIFERATION. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WORKING
GROUPS AGREED:
- TO FORM AN INFORMAL BILATERAL LEGAL WORKING GROUP BETWEEN
EUCOM AND CROATIAN MOD EXPERTS (AUGMENTED AS NECESSARY) TO
MOVE QUICKLY TO RESOLVE OUTSTANDING IMPEDIMENTS TO MILITARY
COOPERATION, AND
- THAT THE GOC WOULD FORM A JOINT CIVILIAN-MILITARY
INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS EXPORT CONTROL AND
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BORDER SECURITY ISSUES. THIS GROUP WILL SERVE AS THE GOC'S
INTERFACE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND WOULD HELP
COORDINATE AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE EFFORTS.
8. (U) THE BDC CONCLUDED BY DECIDING TO MEET AGAIN IN A
YEAR'S TIME WITH THE U.S. HOSTING.
==================
BILATERAL MEETINGS
==================
PM RACAN: PROGRESS TOWARD NATO AND EU MEMBERSHIP
-------------- ---
9. (C) IN A MEETING WITH DASD RICARDEL AND THE AMBASSADOR,
PM RACAN DESCRIBED IN DETAIL HOW CROATIA'S PROGRESS ON
REFORMS MAKES IT A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR INTEGRATION INTO
EURO-ATLANTIC INSTITUTIONS. DESPITE THE INTRA-COALITION
BRINKSMANSHIP THAT SO OFTEN CROWDS THE HEADLINES, RACAN SAID
HIS GOVERNMENT IS STABLE AND WILL SERVE OUT ITS FULL TERM.
COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC REFORM HAS PRODUCED DURABLE RESULTS,
THE MACROECONOMIC SITUATION IS STABLE, GDP GROWTH IS EXPECTED
TO REACH 5 PERCENT THIS YEAR, AND UNEMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN
DECREASING FOR THE PAST TEN MONTHS. RACAN STATED THAT HIS
GOVERNMENT WILL NOT SLACK OFF THE PACE OF REFORMS IN ITS LAST
YEAR, AND PLEDGED HIS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD
WITH REFORMS IN THE MILITARY.
10. (C) ACCORDING TO RACAN, CROATIA IS SUCCESSFULLY
ADDRESSING THE POLITICAL CONDITIONS OF NATO AND THE EU. HE
CLAIMED CROATIA SHOULD HAVE "SOLVED" THE PROBLEM OF MINORITY
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RIGHTS WITH PASSAGE OF A PROGRESSIVE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW ON
NATIONAL MINORITIES, BUT ADMITTED THAT IMPLEMENTATION IS
INCOMPLETE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. RACAN DEFENDED GOC ACTION ON
REFUGEE RETURN; CROATIA'S POST-WAR "ETHNIC MOSAIC" WILL NEVER
BE THE SAME AS IT WAS BEFORE 1991, BUT THE GOC IS COMMITTED
TO SUPPORTING THE RETURN OF ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO COME BACK.
FULLY 100,000 HAVE ALREADY RETURNED SINCE 2000, HE EXPECTS
ANOTHER 20,000 WILL SEEK TO RETURN IN 2003. THE GOC HAS
COMMITTED 300 MILLION EUROS IN ITS 2003 BUDGET TO
RECONSTRUCTION AND RETURN; ALL THOSE WHO FORMALLY EXPRESSED A
DESIRE TO RETURN TO CROATIA BY THE END OF 2002 WILL BE
ACCOMMODATED BY THE END OF 2003, RACAN CLAIMED.
11. (C) RACAN TOUTED CROATIA'S STRONG RECORD OF REGIONAL
COOPERATION AND SAID THE GOC WAS STRONGLY INCLINED TO LIFT
ITS VISA REQUIREMENT FOR CITIZENS OF YUGOSLAVIA, THOUGH THIS
WAS POLITICALLY QUITE SENSITIVE. HE REMARKED THAT SUCH
CROATIAN LIBERALIZATION WOULD, IRONICALLY, COME JUST AS
HUNGARY IMPOSES A VISA REQUIREMENT ON THE FRY.
12. (C) ON CROATIA'S RELATIONS WITH ICTY, RACAN ASSERTED
THAT CROATIA IS IN FULL COMPLIANCE AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S
COMMITMENT TO CLOSE COOPERATION HAS BEEN VALIDATED BY ITS
APPROACH TO THE BOBETKO CASE. FIRST, THE VERY PUBLIC
DISCUSSION OF HOW LACK OF COOPERATION WITH ICTY WOULD AFFECT
CROATIA'S CHANCES TO ENTER THE EU AND NATO HAVE SHORED UP
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ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DOEE-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
AC-01 DCP-01 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00
DTC-00 EPAE-00 SSD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
G-00 SSR-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /008W
-------------- 31C22A 060852Z /38
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FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9401
INFO JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 03 OF 05 060852Z
PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE GOC POSITION, SECOND, THE
OPPOSITION'S ATTEMPTS TO DESTABILIZE THE DOMESTIC POLITICAL
SCENE FAILED, AND THIRD, CROATIA'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULED
THAT ICTY IS THE COURT OF JURISDICTION FOR ALL FUTURE
APPEALS, CUTTING OFF OPPOSITION LEGAL MANEUVERS. HE CLAIMED
THAT ICTY IS NOW "OFF OF THE EU AGENDA," AND HIS UPCOMING
VISIT TO THE UK WILL TAKE PLACE IN THAT CONTEXT. RACAN ADDED
THAT WITH THE BOBETKO CASE SOON TO REACH FINAL RESOLUTION,
"NOW GOTOVINA HAS BECOME TOPICAL," BUT HE STRESSED THAT
"CROATIA WILL NOT BE HELD HOSTAGE BY GENERAL GOTOVINA."
13. (C) AS IN ALL HER BILATERAL MEETINGS, DASD RICARDEL
THANKED CROATIA FOR ITS SUPPORT TO AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM. WITH RACAN, SHE ALSO LAID DOWN A
MARKER FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE REQUESTS FOR LANDING RIGHTS AND
TRANSIT OF U.S. PERSONNEL EN ROUTE TO THE MIDDLE EAST REGION
FOR MOVEMENT OF FORCES RELATED TO IRAQ; WHILE HE MADE NO
COMMITMENTS, HE EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THAT SUCH REQUESTS WOULD
BE FAVORABLY REVIEWED. DASD RICARDEL TOLD RACAN THAT SHE HAD
GIVEN THE BDC PLENARY SESSION A BLUNT BRIEFING ON THE THREATS
OF PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION; THE USG
APPRECIATES PAST GOC SUPPORT IN REFRAINING FROM SALES OF
WEAPONS OR DUAL-USE ITEMS TO STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM AND
URGED CONTINUED ADHERENCE TO THIS POLICY OF NOT SELLING
WEAPONS TO LIBYA AND SIMILAR STATES.
14. (C) RICARDEL PRESSED RACAN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DEFENSE
REFORMS AND EXPRESSED UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFICULT ROAD
AHEAD; THE U.S. WOULD CONTINUE TO ASSIST WHERE IT CAN.
RICARDEL SAID THE U.S. WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT CROATIA'S
RESTRUCTURING EFFORTS AS IT MAKES ITS BID FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP
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AND URGED RACAN TO SUPPORT THE REFORMS IDENTIFIED IN THE MAP
ANP REVIEW PROCESS, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATING TO CIVIL
SOCIETY ISSUES LIKE REFUGEE RETURN.
15. (C) DASD RICARDEL TOUCHED ON THE ISSUE OF THE USG'S
OUTSTANDING REQUEST TO SIGN AN ARTICLE 98 AGREEMENT WITH
CROATIA. SHE EXPLAINED U.S. LEGISLATION MAKING PROVISION OF
MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO ALL NON-NATO STATES CONTINGENT ON
SIGNING SUCH AN AGREEMENT BY JULY 1, 2003; USG MILITARY
ASSISTANCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR CROATIA TO ACHIEVE ITS
MODERNIZATION AND INTEROPERABILITY GOALS. RACAN EXPLAINED
THAT CROATIA IS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE EU'S INSISTENCE THAT
CANDIDATES TOE THE EU LINE AND THE USG'S INSISTENCE ON AN CIC
EXEMPTION. HE CONTINUES TO WAIT FOR A CLEAR SIGNAL FROM
BRUSSELS BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. THE AMBASSADOR TOLD RACAN
THAT USG-EU DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE, BUT THE EU HAS ALREADY
STATED IT DOES NOT OBJECT TO ARTICLE 98 AGREEMENTS, BUT HAS
SIMPLY SET A LIST OF CRITERIA WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
STRESSING THE APPROACHING DEADLINE UNDER U.S. LEGISLATION,
THE AMBASSADOR POINTED OUT TO RACAN THAT THE GOC EVENTUALLY
MAY HAVE TO DECIDE BASED ON CROATIA'S GOALS AND NEEDS, NOT
THOSE OF THE EU.
PRESIDENT MESIC: CROATIA WILL CONTINUE DIFFICULT REFORMS
-------------- --------------
16. (C) DASD RICARDEL THANKED PRESIDENT MESIC FOR HIS MORAL
LEADERSHIP ON REFORM ISSUES AND FOR HIS INSISTENCE THAT
CROATIA MUST CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH THE HAGUE. SHE URGED
THAT HE LEND HIS LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORT OF THE ISSUE OF
DEFENSE DOWNSIZING AND RESTRUCTURING. LIKE RACAN, MESIC
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OUTLINED THE STRONG ECONOMIC PROGRESS THE GOC CONTINUES TO
MAKE, BUT EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION AT THE GOVERNMENT'S INABILITY
TO GET ITS MESSAGE OUT TO THE PUBLIC. HE PLEDGED CROATIA'S
COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE WITH NECESSARY REFORMS, BUT EXPLAINED
THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONTEXT IN WHICH THE MOD
MUST CARRY OUT DOWNSIZING EFFORTS. MESIC HAILED THE USG
COMMITMENT TO ASSIST CROATIA TO COMBAT THE PROLIFERATION OF
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. DASD RICARDEL REQUESTED
CROATIA'S CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR IRAQI COMPLIANCE WITH UN
RESOLUTIONS NOTING THAT CROATIA EXPERIENCED FIRST-HAND THE
CONSEQUENCES OF STATES' NON-COMPLIANCE WITH UN RESOLUTIONS.
CHOD LUCIC: U.S. COOPERATION ALREADY BEARS RESULTS
-------------- --------------
17. (C) DASD RICARDEL CONGRATULATED CHIEF OF CROATIA'S
GENERAL STAFF JOSIP LUCIC ON HIS RECENT APPOINTMENT AND
EMPHASIZED THE USG DESIRE TO CONTINUE WITH STRONG BILATERAL
MILITARY COOPERATION. LUCIC STRONGLY SUPPORTED U.S.
ENGAGEMENT, AND PARTICULARLY HAILED IMET TRAINING PROGRAMS AS
AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF U.S. INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF
CROATIA'S ARMED FORCES. A RECENT AND ENTHUSIASTIC GRADUATE
OF AN IMET ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING PROGRAM, LUCIC ASSERTED
THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF CROATIA'S OFFICERS HAVE BENEFITED
FROM THE PROGRAMS. RICARDEL PRESSED LUCIC TO ENSURE THAT
CROATIAN MILITARY PERSONNEL TRAINED BY U.S. PROGRAMS ARE
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ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DOEE-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
AC-01 DCP-01 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00
DTC-00 EPAE-00 SSD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
G-00 SSR-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /008W
-------------- 31C236 060852Z /38
O 060830Z FEB 03
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9402
INFO JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 04 OF 05 060852Z
PLACED IN POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY. LUCIC THANKED THE
U.S. FOR THE PROPOSAL OF A COUNTERPART VISIT TO THE U.S. AND
HOPED THIS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN AUTUMN 2003.
DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC: COMMITTED TO REFORMS, LOTS OF WORK AHEAD
-------------- --------------
18. (C) DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC EXPRESSED HER STRONG SATISFACTION
WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE U.S. - CROATIAN BILATERAL
RELATIONSHIP. SHE EXPRESSED REGRET AT NOT BEING ABLE TO BE
MORE INTIMATELY INVOLVED WITH THE WORK OF THE BDC, BUT
EXPLAINED THAT HER MOD IS SIMULTANEOUSLY HOSTING A PARP
REVIEW LED BY NATO ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL ALTENBURG.
ANTUNOVIC DESCRIBED U.S. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN CAF
MODERNIZATION, ENHANCED INTEROPERABILITY AND TRAINING AND
EDUCATION AS ESSENTIAL FOR CROATIA'S PROGRESS. SHE THANKED
DASD RICARDEL FOR THE NEW USG COMMITMENT TO HELP CROATIA
DEVELOP ITS COUNTER-PROLIFERATION ACTIVITIES.
19. (C) DASD RICARDEL PRESSED ANTUNOVIC TO ADDRESS LEGAL
ISSUES WHICH ARE INCREASINGLY LIMITING U.S. - CROATIA
BILATERAL MILITARY COOPERATION, SPECIFICALLY FORCE PROTECTION
AND VISITS OF U.S. NUCLEAR VESSELS. ANTUNOVIC DESCRIBED GOC
PLANS TO RESOLVE CURRENT LEGAL LIMITS PREVENTING
IMPLEMENTATION OF POST-USS COLE FORCE PROTECTION STANDARDS
ABOARD USN SHIPS IN CROATIAN PORTS. DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC
ASSERTED THAT THE CABINET WILL PASS A MEASURE ON FEBRUARY 6
WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR EXECUTIVE BRANCH APPROVAL OF FORCE
PROTECTION PRACTICES, WHICH SHOULD CLEAR THE WAY FOR U.S.
SHIP VISITS TO RESUME. SHE EXPLAINED THE GOC INTENTIONS TO
SEEK CHANGES TO CURRENT MARITIME LAW TO ALLOW FOR THE
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PRESENCE OF NUCLEAR POWERED VESSELS IN CROATIA'S INLAND
WATERS, BUT ADMITTED THAT THIS GOAL WOULD TAKE TIME TO
ACHIEVE.
20. (C) DASD RICARDEL THANKED DEFMIN ANTUNOVIC FOR HER
POLICY LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.
ANTUNOVIC ASSERTED THAT THE WAR ON TERROR IS BOTH A CHALLENGE
AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CROATIA TO SHOW WHAT IT STANDS FOR.
AT THE END OF THEIR MEETING, DASD RICARDEL AND DEFMIN
ANTUNOVIC SIGNED AN AGREEMENT GOVERNING MODALITIES OF
PROVISION OF USG ASSISTANCE TO HELP CROATIA DEVELOP ITS
CAPABILITY TO COMBAT PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION. ANTUNOVIC NOTED THAT CROATIA WAS GAINING
EXPERTISE AND EQUIPMENT AND THE U.S. WAS GAINING A PARTNER.
THE EVENT WAS WELL AND POSITIVELY COVERED IN THE CROATIAN
PRESS.
21. (C) ON FEBRUARY 5, AFTER THE FORMAL CLOSING OF THE BDC,
DASD RICARDEL VISITED THE MP PLATOON WHICH WILL DEPLOY IN
SUPPORT OF ISAF. SHE WAS HOSTED BY BRIGADIER GENERAL JOSIP
STOJKOVIC, COMMANDER OF THE "CROATIA BARRACKS." SHE RECEIVED
A BRIEFING ON THE EQUIPMENT AND CAPABILITIES OF THE UNIT,
WHICH IS ANTICIPATED TO DEPLOY TO KABUL BY THE END OF
FEBRUARY WITH THE GERMAN CONTINGENT. DASD RICARDEL ALSO
REVIEWED THE NBC PLATOON DESIGNATED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR
PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS BY THE END OF 2003. RICARDEL
PRAISED CROATIA'S DETERMINATION TO DEVELOP SPECIALIZED
CAPABILITIES TO CONTRIBUTE TO NATO AND COALITION ACTIVITIES
AND OPERATIONS.
22. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF JOINT STATEMENT RELEASED AFTER THE
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SIGNING OF THE WMD AGREEMENT.
RECOGNIZING A COMMON INTEREST IN STRENGTHENING BILATERAL
COOPERATION AND PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL PEACE, SECURITY AND
STABILITY, THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE
CROATIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE HELD THE FIRST OF WHAT WILL
BECOME REGULAR BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS IN ZAGREB,
CROATIA ON FEBRUARY 4, 2003.
THE TEAM FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WAS LED BY MS.
MIRA RICARDEL, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR
EURASIA. THE U.S. DELEGATION WAS WELCOMED BY MS. ZELJKA
ANTUNOVIC, THE CROATIAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE, MR. ZLATKO
GARELJIC, DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER, AND DR. JELENA GRCIC
POLIC, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENSE POLICY. THE
CONSULTATIONS WERE AIMED AT ELABORATING AREAS FOR COOPERATION
BETWEEN THE RESPECTIVE DEFENSE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE U.S. CO-CHAIR EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR CROATIA'S
INCREASING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.
THE U.S. AND CROATIA SIGNED THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT
OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA CONCERNING COOPERATION IN THE AREA
OF PREVENTION OF PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION, AND THE PROMOTION OF DEFENSE AND MILITARY
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CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9122
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 00284 05 OF 05 060852Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DOEE-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FBIE-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00
AC-01 DCP-01 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 T-00 USIE-00
DTC-00 EPAE-00 SSD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
G-00 SSR-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /008W
-------------- 31C23B 060852Z /38
O 060830Z FEB 03
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9403
INFO JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 05 OF 05 ZAGREB 000284
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
SECDEF FOR DASD EURASIA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2013
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS PREL MARR MCAP MASS HR HRPARM NATO NATO
SUBJECT: DASD RICARDEL LEADS BILATERAL DEFENSE
CONSULTATIONS IN CROATIA
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00284 05 OF 05 060852Z
RELATIONS. THIS AGREEMENT ESTABLISHES THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK
FOR JOINT EFFORTS TO COUNTER PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION AND IMPROVE CROATIA'S BORDER SECURITY
CAPABILITIES.
AS A RESULT OF THE BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS, BOTH
SIDES AGREED TO FOCUS EFFORTS OVER THE FORTHCOMING YEAR ON
ATTAINING MUTUAL-DETERMINED GOALS IN THE FOLLOWING THREE
AREAS: FIRST, DEVELOPING CAPABILITIES TO ENHANCE CROATIA'S
INTEROPERABILITY WITH NATO; SECOND, SUPPORTING NECESSARY
DEFENSE REFORM AND MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS FOR THE CROATIAN
ARMED FORCES; AND, THIRD, PURSUING JOINT ACTIVITIES IN THE
AREA OF BORDER SECURITY AND MARITIME INTERDICTION OPERATIONS.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION, JOINT EXERCISES, AND REGULAR DEFENSE
CONTACTS ARE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF THESE AREAS OF
COOPERATION.
THE SIDES REAFFIRMED THE IMPORTANCE OF STRENGTHENING
RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, AS WELL AS PROMOTING SECURITY AND
STABILITY IN THE REGION. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF THE
UNITED STATES AND THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF
CROATIA PLAN TO EXPLORE AND DEVELOP FURTHER INITIATIVES TO
MORE MEET COMMON SECURITY CHALLENGES MORE EFFECTIVELY. BOTH
SIDES AGREED TO HOLD BILATERAL DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS AGAIN
NEXT YEAR WITH THE UNITED STATES HOSTING.
END TEXT OF JOINT STATEMENT
23. (U) DASD RICARDEL CLEARED THIS MESSAGE.
ROSSIN
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