LITTLE IMPACT ON CROATIA-MONTENEGRO RELATIONS FROM

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001018 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR EUR/SCE AND S/WCI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR HR MW IT WAR CRIMES SUBJECT: LITTLE IMPACT ON CROATIA-MONTENEGRO RELATIONS FROM SURPRISE BRCIC ARREST REF: (A) PODGORICA 353 (B) MICHELI 13/11/07 EMAIL ¶1. (SBU) Discussing the 4 November arrest of Montenegrin Navy Captain Ilija Brcic, Montenegrin First Counselor Vesna Nikcevic told PolOff that she expects Brcic will eventually be extradited to Croatia where he will face a new trial following his 1993 conviction in absentia. Nikcevic claimed the GOM was unaware of Brcic's conviction, at least on a level which could have prevented him from traveling to Italy (although ref B indicates Brcic himself knew of the charges). She acknowledged the situation was embarrassing as information about his conviction was readily available on the Internet. She speculated Brcic previously traveled to Greece without incident because his plane arrived at a military facility which lacked some of the screening found at the commercial airport in Rome. She said the incident has prompted the Montenegrin Prime Minister to declare reforms to Montenegro's employment policies for new official personnel. All personnel will be screened against lists of indicted war criminals. Anyone found on such a list will be ineligible for government or military employment. ¶2. (SBU) Nikcevic claimed the GOM has been forward-leaning and cooperative with the GOC in efforts to extradite Brcic. They view this as a personal issue of Brcic's which he must largely resolve on his own. Nikcevic did not foresee any negative impact on Montenegro's strong relationship with Croatia. She indicated the GOC appeared as surprised about the sudden arrest as the GOM. She did not believe Croatian officials had highlighted Brcic's travel to the Italians prior to his arrest. Post is aware, however, that Croatian State Prosecutor previously provided a list of indicted individuals to the GOSAM about one year ago, and that Brcic's name and conviction appears on that list. BRADTKE