Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ZAGREB1115
2006-09-15 11:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
Ambassador's Call on Minister for Refugee Issues
how-toVZCZCXRO4390 RR RUEHAST DE RUEHVB #1115 2581110 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 151110Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6656 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ZAGREB 001115
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR PRM ROLSON, EUR/SCE RBALIAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PGOV HR REFUGEES
SUBJECT: Ambassador's Call on Minister for Refugee Issues
Ref: Zagreb 1055
Sensitive but Unclassified; please handle accordingly.
UNCLAS ZAGREB 001115
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR PRM ROLSON, EUR/SCE RBALIAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PGOV HR REFUGEES
SUBJECT: Ambassador's Call on Minister for Refugee Issues
Ref: Zagreb 1055
Sensitive but Unclassified; please handle accordingly.
1. (SBU) Ambassador paid his initial courtesy call on
Bozidar Kalmeta, Minister for Sea, Transport, Tourism and
Development on September 19.
2. (SBU) Ambassador raised the GOC's newly-approved housing
program for former tenancy rights holders outside war-
affected areas (reftel). At the meeting, Ambassador
congratulated Kalmeta on adoption of the program, which
provides for construction of apartments in major cities. He
requested clarification of the purchase and lease options,
as the written government decision and subsequent GOC
statements were vague on whether both options still existed.
Kalmeta indicated that former tenancy rights holders would
only be allowed to lease these apartments in the future, not
to purchase. Ambassador urged Kalmeta and the GOC to
consider the purchase option, as the lack of clarification
has raised the concern of the international community. This
is a difficult decision, Ambassador acknowledged, with both
humanitarian and political implications.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Kalmeta did not appear fully briefed on
the housing program prior to the meeting. Ambassador will
raise this issue with Kalmeta once again during the
September refugee meeting which includes the OSCE, UNHCR,
and EU principals. Also, MFA State Secretary Hido Biscevic
is preparing a written interpretation of the GOC decision in
order to clarify this point in particular. Post will keep
Department informed. END COMMENT.
BRADTKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR PRM ROLSON, EUR/SCE RBALIAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PGOV HR REFUGEES
SUBJECT: Ambassador's Call on Minister for Refugee Issues
Ref: Zagreb 1055
Sensitive but Unclassified; please handle accordingly.
1. (SBU) Ambassador paid his initial courtesy call on
Bozidar Kalmeta, Minister for Sea, Transport, Tourism and
Development on September 19.
2. (SBU) Ambassador raised the GOC's newly-approved housing
program for former tenancy rights holders outside war-
affected areas (reftel). At the meeting, Ambassador
congratulated Kalmeta on adoption of the program, which
provides for construction of apartments in major cities. He
requested clarification of the purchase and lease options,
as the written government decision and subsequent GOC
statements were vague on whether both options still existed.
Kalmeta indicated that former tenancy rights holders would
only be allowed to lease these apartments in the future, not
to purchase. Ambassador urged Kalmeta and the GOC to
consider the purchase option, as the lack of clarification
has raised the concern of the international community. This
is a difficult decision, Ambassador acknowledged, with both
humanitarian and political implications.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Kalmeta did not appear fully briefed on
the housing program prior to the meeting. Ambassador will
raise this issue with Kalmeta once again during the
September refugee meeting which includes the OSCE, UNHCR,
and EU principals. Also, MFA State Secretary Hido Biscevic
is preparing a written interpretation of the GOC decision in
order to clarify this point in particular. Post will keep
Department informed. END COMMENT.
BRADTKE