IRAQI MP EYES CROATIA AS POST-CONFLICT MODEL

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000449 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KWMN HR IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI MP EYES CROATIA AS POST-CONFLICT MODEL REF: Zagreb 422 ¶1. SUMMARY AND COMMENT: An Iraqi Member of Parliament and close relative of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Ms. Ala Talabani, visited Croatia April 20-27 in search of a successful post-conflict model to further promote human rights, strengthen the role of NGOs, and develop women's rights in Iraq. Accompanied by Areez Mahdi, an Erbil-based Woman's Program Coordinator for the National Democratic Institute, the visit was part of Croatia's efforts to provide development assistance to Iraq. ¶2. The MFA organized the visit to assist in the strengthening of democracy, rule of law, and the promotion of human rights and freedoms in Iraq. Croatia is also treating Iraqi children in a local Zagreb hospital, actively participating in training programs for Iraqi police officers in Jordan, and remains open to exploring other ways to contribute to Iraq's reconstruction (Reftel). The GOC is also, with Embassy Zagreb support, facilitating the participation of a delegation of Iraqi lawyers at the International Bar Association Leaders Conference May 15-19 in Zagreb. END COMMENT AND SUMMARY LESSONS LEARNED FROM VUKOVAR -------------- ¶3. At the invitation of the GOC participants traveled to Vinkovci and the former UN Protected Enclave of Vukovar to see first hand the challenges and successes of these war ravaged towns. While in Vukovar participants learned about Croatia's experience in reconstruction and postwar reintegration. Participants not only had the opportunity to witness first hand the devastation imposed upon the city, but also the efforts being undertaken by Mayor Zdenka Buljan to promote ethnic reconciliation in a community that is still feeling the scars of recent war. ¶4. Vukovar, as a divided city of Serbs and Croats, left quite an impression on participants. Ms. Talabani told Pol Off she was very impressed by the mayor of Vukovar. She also expressed her encouragement by what she has seen in Croatia in terms of promoting democratization and ethnic reconciliation. CROATIA'S WOMEN POLITICIANS AS A MODEL FOR IRAQ -------------- -- ¶5. During the Zagreb portion of the visit, participants met with high level women politicians, ranging from Foreign Affairs Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic to United Nations Chair of the Committee to Eliminate Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Ambassador Dubravka Simonovic. In addition to meeting Croatian Parliament Deputy Speaker Djurdja Adlesic, where Talabani discussed the position of women in the two countries politics, Talabani also met with the Croatian People's Party President, Vesna Pusic and Minister of War Veterans, Family Affairs and Inter-generational Solidarity, Jadranka Kosor. ¶6. The Iraqi Delegation had a full schedule, meeting with representatives of the Government Office for Human Rights, Ombudsperson for Gender Equality, Ombudsperson for the Rights of Children, and numerous NGOs and civil society organizations. After receiving copies of Croatia's Law on Gender Equality, the delegation was better able to see how Croatia works to include women's issues in the political process. LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH TO FOSTER NGO INDEPENDENCE -------------- -- ¶7. In order to further develop her legislative agenda in the Iraqi Council of Representatives, Talabani hopes to learn how government can successfully interact with NGOs. The GOC, which generally has a successful and positive relationship with NGOs, might very well provide a useful model for Baghdad in reducing what Talabani characterized as a hostile relationship filled with suspicion and mistrust. In addition to extracting lessons that could be used to foster NGO independence and build trust, Talabani was also in Croatia looking for ideas to help her promote a political parties law. BRADTKE