MFA CONDEMNS HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS, SYRIAN COMPLICITY

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000861 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EUR/SCE - PFEUFFER E.O. 12356: DECL: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV HR SUBJECT: MFA CONDEMNS HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS, SYRIAN COMPLICITY ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: The MFA condemned Hezbollah attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory in a July 17 statement and called on the international community to facilitate a quick calming of the crisis. The MFA's director of middle eastern affairs told PolOff that the GoC fears the conflict will escalate and directly involve Syria and then Iran before an international peacekeeping presence can be established. President Mesic called for an immediate ceasefire in a public statement the same day and condemned recent violence, particularly indiscriminate terrorist attacks on civilian targets. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT. CROATIAN CITIZENS OUT OF LEBANON -------------- ¶2. Enisa Karamarko, director of the MFA's Department for Africa and the Near and Middle East, reconfirmed for PolOff July 17 the GOC's commitment to combating global terrorism and finding a peaceful and international resolution to the conflict in Israel and Lebanon. The MFA clearly is very concerned by the escalation of violence and questions whether a return to the peace process roadmap is still possible. In its statement, the GOC strongly condemned the actions of Hezbollah and possible complicity of Syria and regretted the abuse of Lebanon's sovereignty. ¶3. Karamarko confirmed that Croatia has evacuated 39 citizens from Lebanon but remains concerned for the safety of approximately 500 citizens currently in Syria. BRADTKE