(C) CROATIAN PRESIDENT,S ADVISOR PROMISES FURTHER

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000754 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2016 TAGS: PREL HR DEFENSE REFORM SUBJECT: (C) CROATIAN PRESIDENT,S ADVISOR PROMISES FURTHER DISCUSSION ON A-98 REF: A) ZAGREB 00746 B) ZAGREB 00697 Classified By: Amb. Ralph Frank, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) PM Senior Advisor Loftis, in Zagreb June 16 for a round of negotiations on a Supplemental SOFA, met with President Mesic's advisor for intelligence matters Sasa Perkovic to discuss the possibility of incorporating Article 98 language in a bilateral "Security Cooperation Agreement" with Croatia. Ambassador Loftis and Ambassador Frank noted that the USG continues to seek language exempting our nationals from forcible transfer to any judicial institution not under the aegis of the UN Security Council. ¶2. (C) Perkovic had not seen a draft of the SCA (circulated last month to his fellow Presidential advisor Vlatko Cvrtila, who covers most security matters). He noted President Mesic's public opposition to earlier forms of Article 98 waivers, but expressed the view that as described, the SCA might constitute a "step in the right direction." He undertook to discuss it with Cvrtila and bring it up with President Mesic. Ambassador Frank will follow up with Mesic during his farewell call later next week. FRANK