AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH CROATIAN DEPUTY PRIME

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000694 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS TO DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR SECRETARY NICHOLSON FROM AMBASSADOR BRADTKE FOR EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SOCI HR SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH CROATIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND VETERANS AFFAIRS MINISTER KOSOR ¶1. Mr. Secretary, During my meeting on July 18 with Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Family, Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity Jadranka Kosor, I informed the Minister of your decision to resign. The Minister expressed her regret at hearing this news and reiterated her appreciation for the hospitality that you had shown her during her recent visit. She expressed the hope it still might be possible for the United States and Croatia to conclude some type of framework agreement on cooperation on veterans' issues. I promised the Minister I would convey her request to you, as well as her best wishes in your future endeavors. ¶2. While I recognize the many demands upon your Department, I believe a modest program of cooperation with Croatia, which has a significant veteran population from its Homeland War, would contribute to the strengthening of our relations. I hope it will be possible to engage the Croatians on a framework agreement in the near future. Regards. BRADTKE