CROATIAN SUPPORT FOR NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000634 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KDEM HR IZ REGIONAL ISSUES SUBJECT: CROATIAN SUPPORT FOR NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT REF: STATE 81632 ¶1. (U) Croatia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement on May 22 (informal Embassy translation): -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia expresses its satisfaction regarding the establishment of a new Iraqi government led by Nouri Kamil Al Maliki. -- The confirmation of the new Government constitutes an important step in building a safe, democratic, prosperous and integrated Iraq, to the benefit of all its citizens, as well as an important step in the stabilization of the whole region. -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration especially welcomes the fact that representatives of all major ethnic and religious communities from Iraq are included in the new government of national unity, which should ensure the best prospects for meeting the challenges facing the country and the best foundations for its future. The Republic of Croatia expresses its most sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Al Maliki and his Government, wishes them much success, and uses this opportunity to reassert its desire to strengthen and advance the relations and cooperation between the two countries. ¶2. (SBU) The Croatian MFA continues to seek secure premises for its diplomatic mission in Baghdad. Efforts to co-locate within the Polish Embassy were unsuccessful due to lack of space. FRANK