Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ZAGREB897
2006-07-26 12:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:  

CROATIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ TO PRESENT CREDENTIALS

Tags:  PREL PGOV MARR ASEC IZ HR REGIONAL ISSUES 
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INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000897 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE HOH, SAINZ, PFEUFFER
BAGHDAD FOR EXEC OFFICE, POL, RSO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2007
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ASEC IZ HR REGIONAL ISSUES
SUBJECT: CROATIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ TO PRESENT CREDENTIALS

Classified By: Political Officer Tom Selinger for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000897

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE HOH, SAINZ, PFEUFFER
BAGHDAD FOR EXEC OFFICE, POL, RSO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2007
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ASEC IZ HR REGIONAL ISSUES
SUBJECT: CROATIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ TO PRESENT CREDENTIALS

Classified By: Political Officer Tom Selinger for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)


1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraphs 2 and 3.


2. (C) Newly-appointed Croatian Ambassador to Iraq Jerko
Vukas will travel to Baghdad August 01-03 in order to present
his credentials and open direct diplomatic contact with the
Iraqi Government. Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Pjer
Simunovic, who will lead the three-person delegation, asked
Charge July 25 to advise the US mission and security forces
in Iraq of the visit and requested an Embassy Baghdad point
of contact. Simunovic and Vukas seek a meeting with
Ambassador Khalilzad or senior diplomatic representative and
staff briefings on the local political and security situation
shortly after arrival. While Polish Ambassador Ryszard
Krystosik and his mission are providing security and
logistical assistance as well as arranging for meetings with
the Iraqi government, Simunovic said the Croatians may turn
to the US for assistance in securing certain high-level
meetings if necessary. Full text of Note Verbale follows.


3. (C) COMMENT: With no personnel currently on the ground in
Iraq, Simunovic admitted that the GoC is at a loss for how to
proceed in establishing a permanent presence after this visit
and will rely heavily on USG advice. This delegation hopes
to scout potential permanent locations for the Croatian
mission, ideally within the Green Zone. While Croatia's
assistance to operations in Iraq is limited to three police
instructors at the International Police Academy in Amman, the
GoC is trying to show its support for the Iraqi government by
pushing forward in establishing its diplomatic presence.
Post is grateful for any assistance Embassy Baghdad can
provide. END COMMENT.


4. (C) Text of Note Verbale:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of
the Republic of Croatia presents its compliments to the
Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to

inform that a delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and European Integration of the Republic of Croatian will
visit the Republic of Iraq from August 1 to 3, 2006. The
purpose of the visit is to establish direct diplomatic
contact with the Government of the Republic of Iraq,
demonstrate support of the Government of the Republic of
Croatia to the Republic of Iraq and carry out the first
preparatory steps for opening of the Diplomatic Mission of
the Republic of Croatia in Baghdad, with the aim of bringing
the bilateral relations between the two countries to a new,
more advanced level.

The members of the delegation are:
1.) Mr. Pjer Simunovic, Head of Delegation, Assistant
Minister for International Organizations and Security,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration
(diplomatic passport no. 000002727 valid till 29 June 2011);
2.) H.E. Mr. Jerko Vukas, Ambassador, designated Head of the
Mission of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Iraq
(diplomatic passport number 000001897 valid till 5 November
2009);
3.) Ms. Marta Nakic-Vojnovic, Head of Section for
Peace-Support Operations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
European Integration (diplomatic passport no. 000002509 valid
till 11 January 2011).

The itinerary of the delegation is as follows:
- Arrival to Baghdad, Al Muthana Airport ) 1 August at 10.30
h, flight RJ812 from Amman, Jordan;
- Departure from Baghdad, Al Muthana Airport - 3 August at
16.15 h, flight RJ815 to Amman, Jordan.

The visit of the Croatian delegation is being prepared and
organized with the kind assistance of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Poland. Equally, during the stay
in Baghdad, the Croatian delegation would rely on the
security, logistical and accommodation assistance of the
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Baghdad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration
kindly requests the Embassy of the United States of America
to draw the attention of the United States diplomatic
representatives and security forces in Baghdad to this visit.

The Ministry also kindly requests the assistance of the
Embassy of the United States in arranging a meeting of the
delegation with the Ambassador or a senior diplomatic
representative of the United States in the Republic of Iraq.
The Ministry would highly appreciate if the United States
representatives in Baghdad could also provide to the

ZAGREB 00000897 002 OF 002


delegation a political and security briefing on the situation
in Iraq.

Iraqi authorities have confirmed the meeting with H.E. Mr.
Rafi Hiyad Al-Isawi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The Croatian Delegation has requested meetings with the
President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Minster
of Economy, the relevant representatives of the Security
Services (Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior) of the
Republic of Iraq, as well as any possible further activities
proposed by the Iraqi side.

A more precise schedule of the meetings will be communicated
as soon as confirmed.

A particular aim of the visit would also be to use the
occasion - if possible and acceptable on the side of the
Republic of Iraq - to enable H.E. Mr. Jerko Vukas to present
his Credentials.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of
the Republic of Croatia avails itself of this opportunity to
renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the
assurances of its highest consideration.

Zagreb, July 24, 2006
DELAWIE