Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ZAGREB1367
2004-07-27 13:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:  

CROATIA EAGER FOR MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN PSI

Tags:  PGOV PREL PARM KNNP MNUC HR NATO 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 001367 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL PARM KNNP MNUC HR NATO
SUBJECT: CROATIA EAGER FOR MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN PSI

REF: A. STATE 142212

B. ZAGREB 1245

Classified By: EconOff Joshua Harris for reasons 1.5 (b&d).

SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST
--------------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 001367

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL PARM KNNP MNUC HR NATO
SUBJECT: CROATIA EAGER FOR MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN PSI

REF: A. STATE 142212

B. ZAGREB 1245

Classified By: EconOff Joshua Harris for reasons 1.5 (b&d).

SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST
--------------


1. (C) The GoC solidly supports the Proliferation Security
Initiative (PSI). In two recent meetings, key foreign
ministry interlocuteurs have requested US views on modalities
for intelligence sharing under PSI as well as US advice in
organizing the GoC's own National PSI Coordinator Office.
The GoC has also offered to participate or even host
PSI-related military exercises either under the umbrella of
the Adriatic Charter or as a broader regional exercise. The
GoC has also expressed interest in exploring bilateral
boarding and non-overflight clearance agreements with the US.
Post requests Department guidance in responding to these
offers for an expanded role for Croatia in the PSI. END
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST.

HIGH-LEVEL SUPPORT SQUARELY BEHIND PSI
--------------


2. (SBU) On July 22, Assistant Minister for Multilateral
Affairs in the MFA Tomislav Vidosevic called acting PolEcon
Chief to his office as a follow-on to reftels to express
personally the GoC's eagerness to participate in PSI.
Vidosevic affirmed that strengthening Croatia's involvement
in PSI is a central task of this government as part of its
objective to play a constructive role in the region.
Vidosevic stressed that Croatia sees PSI as a clear step
towards Euro-Atlantic integration, even as Croatia seeks to
maintain its position within SE Europe.


3. (C) Vidosevic said that the GoC is working to organize
itself better to participate more fully in PSI, through
improving horizontal communication among MFA, MinDef, MinFin,
MinInt, and intelligence services. He said he had invited
senior Polish officials -- including the Polish National
Coordinator for PSI -- to come to Zagreb in September for a
"trilateral exchange of views" with US representation. In
response to our question on what type of US participation he
envisioned, Vidosevic backed off, saying that he wanted to

postpone a visit from Washington until more concrete
preparations had been completed.


4. (SBU) In response to our observation that PSI could meld
well with Croatia's involvement in the Adriatic Charter
regarding maritime issues and interdiction, Vidosevic
suggested joint training exercises in the region could work
within the A-3 framework. He added that while the GoC was
very keen to see the US included, he realized the initiative
would have to come from the A-3 themselves.

CROATIA TAKES STOCK OF PSI PROGRESS TO DATE
--------------


5. (SBU) Prior to the Vidosevic meeting, on July 7 we took
stock with Drazen Hrastic, Head of Department for Cooperative
Security and GoC POC for PSI, of Croatia's progress to date
on the five objectives outlined by U/S Bolton in Lisbon in
April.


6. (SBU) SUPPORT: Croatia has already issued a statement of
support and remains enthusiastic for GoC participation in PSI.


7. (C) LEGISLATION: Hrastic believes the legislative review
could be conducted in parallel with Croatia's acquis
implementation program in which police interdiction
competencies could be extended in line with PSI guidelines.
The MFA recently produced an internal policy document
recommending both the establishment of an inter-ministerial
body with authority over not just legislative review but
day-to-day operations and closer cooperation with other PSI
countries. In terms of intelligence sharing, Hrastic asked
how we would like to see intelligence resources reallocated
within PSI.


8. (SBU) CONTACT: Drazen Hrastic will be the working level
PSI contact at least until an inter-agency coordination body
is up and running. The appropriate rank of a full-time PSI
coordinator will be determined in collaboration with Poland
and the U.S.


9. (C) AGREEMENTS: GoC is prepared to consider both a
boarding agreement and an overflight denial agreement and
asked if we could produce any sample agreements previously
concluded with other countries. At the Vidosevic meeting, we
responded that the US will likely focus efforts on concluding
agreements with the most problematic flag-of-convenience
countries as a first priority and that an agreement with
Croatia would likely be considered in subsequent rounds of

such negotiations. Hrastic noted that Croatia could be of
more assistance interdicting foreign-flagged vessels in
Croatian territorial waters rather than Croatian-flagged
vessels in international waters.


10. (C) TRAINING: Croatia is willing to host an indiction
training exercise both to further PSI participation but also
to fulfill Croatia's MAP obligations. Hrastic noted that
Croatia will certainly observe any training exercises in the
region but would like to participate if its capacity permits.


COMMENT
--------------


11. (C) Croatian participation in PSI clearly has solid
high-level political support -- as Assistant Minister
Vidosevic's meeting request demonstrates. Yet dispite broad
promises to press ahead with training exercises and
interdiction agreements, Croatia may find its enthusiasm
outstrips its resources. As Hrastic himself summed it up:
"It's not a question of willingness but capacity." Within
our larger priorities, we should tap this enthusiasm by
seriously considering supporting any follow-up ideas
presented by the GoC for hosting PSI-related exercises. END
COMMENT.
FRANK


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