CROATIA - 2006 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001502 SIPDIS SIPDIS S/CT - RHONDA SHORE AND NCTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC HR SUBJECT: CROATIA - 2006 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM REF: STATE 175925 ¶1. There are no known terrorist groups or organizations present in Croatia nor would it be a welcoming safe haven. Croatia continues to develop the professionalism and capability of both police and military units designated for terrorist response through programs provided by the United States and the European Union. During 2006, legislation was passed restructuring the intelligence service to better address current and future needs to include the ability to identify potential terrorist activities or threats. Croatia publicly supports and complies with all U.N. Security Council counterterrorism resolutions, including those related to nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea. ¶2. Croatia continues to be an active partner in the Global War on Terror. During 2006, the government increased its contribution to the International Stabilization and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan from about 50 to 147 soldiers, serving in military police, medical support and training roles. In addition, Croatia maintains a small civilian and police team deployment to the German-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Feyzabad. On December 8, the Croatian Parliament approved a further increase to 200 troops in 2007 and to 300 troops in 2008 and approved the assignment of five naval officers to NATO's Operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean Sea. ¶3. Croatia's long land and sea borders present a monitoring and enforcement challenge and guide the government's continued efforts to improve its export control regime and to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. During 2006, the government formed an inter-ministerial commission on export licensing and on international restrictive measures. The United States assisted the Croatian government in drafting amendments to its export control legislation to allow effective prosecution of criminal acts related to the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. ¶4. In November 2006, Croatian police intercepted and arrested two men in Zadar, Croatia, who were carrying explosives. The case was initially investigated as a terrorist plot to target and detonate the explosives on a ferry in the Adriatic Sea. Subsequent information points to the more likely scenario of an organized crime operation. The incident, however, demonstrates Croatia's ability to detect, track, and respond to an undetermined threat. ¶5. The embassy point of contact is Political Officer Tom Selinger. Address: U.S. Embassy Zagreb, Thomas Jefferson 5, 10010 Zagreb, Croatia; email: selingertb@state.gov; telephone: (385) 1 661-2260. BRADTKE