CROATIA ASKS USG TO RECONSIDER POSITION ON

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000709 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/CB SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL CBW HR SUBJECT: CROATIA ASKS USG TO RECONSIDER POSITION ON AUSTRALIA GROUP MEMBERSHIP REF: SECSTATE 87894 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The GOC asks that the USG reconsider its position declining to support Croatia for membership in the Australia Group at the upcoming Paris plenary (reftel). ¶2. (SBU) DCM discussed Croatia's application for Australia Group (AG) membership with MFA Assistant Minister for International Organizations and Security Pjer Simunovic and Head of Department for International Security Sanja Bujas Juraga June 9. ¶3. (SBU) Simunovic objected strongly to the US refusal to endorse Croatia's AG membership candidacy at this time. He noted that the Croatian chemical industry is large and important to the economy; it also has an excellent track record on export control issues. He said that all other AG countries are supporting Croatia's membership application. Acknowledging that the country still has some important work to do on export control issues, Simunovic said it was important to understand the entire context of Croatia's developing export control picture: the country is making steady progress in developing laws, regimes, and procedures necessary to be a full contributor to the AG effort. Joining the AG now will help Croatia accelerate that process even more, giving it more energy and confidence. Other AG member countries understand this, and are therefore supporting Croatia. ¶4. (SBU) Croatia wants to accommodate all USG concerns regarding its readiness for AG membership, he said. He hoped the USG could reconsider its position before the Paris plenary meeting; he asked that the USG express its concerns on Croatia's regime at the plenary, but not block consensus on Croatia's membership. FRANK