AMBASSADOR MEETS PRESIDENT MESIC CONCERNING REFIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000533

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/29/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL PGOV OPDC ETTC KSTC HR LY
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS PRESIDENT MESIC CONCERNING REFIT
OF LIBYAN SHIP

REF: A. (A) STATE 67335

B. (B) STATE 68238

CLASSIFIED BY: NICHOLAS M. HILL, POLECON COUNSELOR, FOR
REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) ON MARCH 27, THE AMBASSADOR PASSED TO PRESIDENT
MESIC REFTEL A POINTS CONCERNING REFIT OF THE LIBYAN VESSEL,
"AL-MUNIJED," AND DCM FOLLOWED UP WITH MFA OFFICIALS ON MARCH

29. THE AMBASSADOR TOLD MESIC THAT THE U.S. HAD DECIDED NOT
TO OBJECT TO THE REFIT OF THE "AL-MUNIJED" PROVIDED THE REFIT
DID NOT INVOLVE ANY LETHAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT. THE DECISION
DID NOT APPLY IN BLANKET FASHION TO OTHER LIBYAN VESSELS THE
CROATIANS CONTEMPLATED REFITTING OR CONSTRUCTING. THE
AMBASSADOR NOTED THAT LIBYA HAD MADE DRAMATIC PROGRESS IN
FULFILLING ITS NONPROLIFERATION COMMITMENTS, BUT EMPHASIZED
THAT U.S. SANCTIONS WERE STILL IN PLACE.


2. (C) MESIC WAS CLEARLY PLEASED WITH THE DECISION. IT
WOULD BE WELCOME NEWS FOR THE FINANCIALLY-STRAPPED RIJEKA
SHIPYARD SLATED TO GET THE CONTRACT. MESIC ASKED IF HE COULD
ANNOUNCE THE DECISION TO THE PRESS. THE AMBASSADOR ASKED HIM
TO WITHHOLD THE INFORMATION UNTIL THE U.S. HAD INFORMED OTHER
CONCERNED GOVERNMENTS OF THE DECISION.


3. (C) FOLLOWING UP, THE DCM TALKED TO ASSISTANT FOREIGN
MINISTER MARGETA AND CHIEF FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR TO
PRESIDENT MESIC, IVICA MASTRUKO, ON MARCH 29 REGARDING THE
DECISION. THE DCM TOLD MASTRUKO THAT OTHER GOVERNMENTS WERE
BEING INFORMED AND THAT THE U.S. WOULD NOT OBJECT TO AN
APPROPRIATE ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING THE "AL-MUNIJED." AT THE
MFA, DCM STRESSED THAT THE U.S. DECISION APPLIED ONLY TO THE
WORKED ON THE AL-MUNIJED." AT THE MOD, DAO ON MARCH 29
INFORMED COLONEL ZELJKO CEPANAC, ACTING ASSISTANT MINISTER
FOR POLICY. ALL WERE PLEASED WITH THE DECISION AND HOPEFUL
THAT IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS WITH LIBYA WOULD CONTINUE.
FRANK




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