GOC PROPOSES PSI EXERCISE

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001414 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL PHSA EWWT PBTS HR SUBJECT: GOC PROPOSES PSI EXERCISE ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: Head of MFA's Department for International Security Sanja Bujas Juraga presented PolOff and EXBS advisor with a non-paper on November 16 describing a GoC offer to host a regional WMD-response exercise under the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The GoC seeks USG guidance and political support for this exercise that will contribute to regional security. Post wishes to extend maximum USG support to this initiative and recommends a tabletop exercise of realistic scope and timing given other PSI activities already scheduled in the region. Full text of the non-paper follows in para 5. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT. ¶3. (SBU) According to Juraga, this new initiative is in direct response to: - FM Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic's conversations with Secretary Rice during the PM's October visit to Washington, - a November OSCE/US workshop in Vienna on implementation of UNSCR 1540, and - a conversation between Milena Zaninovic, head of the International Security Department's Nonproliferation Section, and CDR John Kroft of T/ISN/CPI on the margins of the "Amber Sunrise" exercise in Poland in September. The GoC is anxious to contribute more to PSI activities, as noted in the non-paper, both as a key partner on the so-called "Balkan route" and as the only country in the region to sign a shipboarding agreement with the US. The GoC has proposed the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Center (RACVIAC) facilities in Zagreb as an exercise venue. ¶4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department guidance in responding to the GoC proposal. We understand from informal communication with T/ISN/CPI/Kroft that Slovenia is planning a PSI exercise for early to mid-2007, and we are prepared to ensure that Croatia's efforts are coordinated and complementary and responsive to PSI principles. Fostering active cooperation between Ljubljana and Zagreb will be key to building an effective regional partnership for peace and stability. ¶5. (U) NON-PAPER TEXT: Non paper on the proposed PSI Exercise in the Republic of Croatia Non-proliferation of WMD, as well as of strategically sensitive dual use goods, technology, equipment and their means of delivery is Croatia's policy priority. Croatia considers efforts and activities aimed at preventing the WMD proliferation crucial in the fight against contemporary security threats, and in particular the threat of terrorism and the risk of non-state actors, terrorist groups or individuals acquiring WMD. Croatia's non-proliferation of WMD policy goal is pursued through strengthening national implementation and enforcement of respective policies and obligations, as well as through actively participating in non-proliferation activities at the regional, multilateral and international levels. Special attention is paid to effective implementation of international obligations under the existing formal international non-proliferation treaties and obligations within the informal non-proliferation regimes. Croatia considers international exercises and workshops crucial not only to establish network of allied countries which will cooperate effectively in respond to WMD threat, but to identify necessities for further improvement of national legislation and law enforcement capacities. With this in mind, Croatia appreciates OSCE efforts and considers Workshop on the Implementation of UNSC Res 1540 (2004),which took place on November 8, 2006 and was cosponsored by U.S., significant in respond to WMD threats. In its support for the efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD the Republic of Croatia has welcomed the activities of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Croatia is ready to more actively contribute to its activities. One of the possibilities under intensive consideration is the organization of a PSI exercise. Objectives are to improve international cooperation in order to prepare for interagency and international response to a WMD incident. Under consideration is the venue of PSI exercise. Due to its special geographic position Croatia is particularly aware of the dangers of WMD proliferation. The Republic of Croatia contributes to strengthening stabilization and democratization of the Southeastern Europe actively participating in RACVIAC. Additional engagement in this field could be made by organizing PSI exercise in RACVIAC in Zagreb. END NON-PAPER TEXT. BRADTKE