EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000949 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH AND JMCCLELLAN; DEPT FOR EUR/ACE DMARTIN; CBP/INA FOR PWARKER; USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY; DOC FOR PETERSEN-BEARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP HR LO SI SUBJECT: EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - JULY 2006 ¶1. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS -------------- 17-18 JULY, CONDUCTED CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON, DC WITH NP/ECC TO COORDINATE PLANNING OF 2006/2007, ASSISTANCE PLAN FOR CROATIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA AND PERIMETERS OF REQUESTED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO HUNGARY. Croatia -------------- 21 July, met with UNDP Chief Technical Advisor for Small Arms Control to review and discuss the completed draft of their sponsored evaluation of Croatia's Export Control development. The document 's content, developed by an NGO contractor, presented an inconsistent and contradictory perspective highly critical of Croatia's achievements and ongoing efforts to comply with international WMD and conventional weapons export controls. The report failed to offer sufficient evidence to substantiate the perceived deficiencies. The recommendations offered were notable only to the extent of generally concurring with recognized points previously made by the international community and forming the focus of EXBS assistance to Croatia. In general however, the report's conclusions and recommendations did not appear mutually supportive. It was agreed that official release of the report would be held in abeyance until all content had been reevaluated and rewritten with supportive corroborated conclusions. -------------- 24 July, met with MFA International Security Department Head, at their request, to discuss the UNDP draft Arms Control Assessment apparently offered to the MFA for evaluation. The MFA was very distressed by the report's perceived content and tone, described as inflammatory, accusatory, and inaccurate with conclusions lacking in supportive evidence. There was concern that if passed to other Ministerial staff for proper review, as an official document, it might generate disruptive reactions and repercussions. In discussion of the issues, MFA was briefed on the meeting between EXBS and UNDP and their mutual agreement that UNDP would review and revise the report prior to official release. MFA thereupon decided to consider the UNDP document as a working study paper, to be held in abeyance pending release and receipt of the official Assessment Report by UNDP. -------------- 25-31 July, held successive meetings with UNDP Chief Technical Advisor and the MFA International Security Department Head to discuss methods and options for timely achievement of established Arms Control goals (conventional and WMD). It was agreed by both sides that the revision and development process of the Dual-Use and Munitions legislation was the most pressing goal but would require outside assistance in order to have the decrees ready for review and approval by the end of 2006. It was further agreed that MFA would support and promote the importance of supporting this undertaking to the Ministry of Economy and other involved government offices. UNDP agreed to determine availability of funding support to contribute to EXBS efforts to sponsor an experienced contractor to assist with the process. Slovakia -------------- During the month of July, meetings previously scheduled by EXBS were held with both MOE Head of Sensitive Goods Licensing Section and Customs through the assistance of Embassy Bratislava Pol/ECON. The MOE meeting covered issues including developing and scheduling a "Best Practices" session with Hungarian MOE, expected changes to MOE administration under the newly elected government and the process of the Tracker network system upgrade. The meeting with the DG of the Slovak Customs Directorate focused on the status of the "Portal Monitors replacement project". According to the Customs DG they plan to incorporate replacement of the monitors ZAGREB 00000949 002 OF 002 in a large borders reconstruction project, which is to be realized in 2007. Customs sent the final version of the MOU (already agreed by Customs' lawyers) to the DG for Energy and Transport at the European Commission for review. ¶2. TRAINING Slovenia -------------- 19-20 July, The third in a series of ICP workshops was held in Ljubljana attended by 14 Slovenian industry representatives along with government officials from the Ministry of Economy, Customs Administration, National Chemicals Bureau, and Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration. The workshop outcome was positive with indications of increased support from the Ministry of Economy. DELAWIE