CROATIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ TO PRESENT CREDENTIALS

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