Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ZAGREB109
2007-02-01 06:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
ILLNESS TAKES MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER "TEMPORARILY" OUT OF
how-toVZCZCXRO4462 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHVB #0109 0320618 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 010618Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7222 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000109
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV HR
SUBJECT: ILLNESS TAKES MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER "TEMPORARILY" OUT OF
POLITICS
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000109
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV HR
SUBJECT: ILLNESS TAKES MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER "TEMPORARILY" OUT OF
POLITICS
¶1. (U) Social Democratic party (SDP) leader and former PM Ivica
Racan told the press January 31 that he will "temporarily" withdraw
from active politics pending the results of surgery and therapy for
an "atypical" tumor. Racan's deputy party president (and defense
minister in the 2000-2003 coalition government) Zeljka Antunovic
will take over for the time being.
¶2. (SBU) It is not yet clear how long Racan will be out of politics,
or whether Zelka Antunovic as his appointed stand-in will eventually
take over. Antunovic is a long-time Embassy contact and a strong
supporter of Euro-Atlantic integration. The big unknown in SDP
politics is Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic, not currently in the party
leadership but clearly a contender. Certainly the SDP, the largest
opposition party, could use a fresher image as it gears up for
November 2007 elections.
BRADTKE