CROATIA PITCHES UNSC CANDIDACY

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000759 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE - HOH, BALIAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UN HR SUBJECT: CROATIA PITCHES UNSC CANDIDACY ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: During an August 7 introductory call, MFA Assistant Minister for International Organizations and Security Pjer Simunovic briefed the DCM on Croatia's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Simunovic said Croatia's unique political and cultural experience would allow it to make a valuable contribution to the UNSC in dealing with emerging issues from both the perspective of a modern European nation and a developing, post-conflict state. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT. WAR EXPERIENCE KEY TO ADDRESSING CONFLICT -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to Simunovic, the war in Croatia and its location at the cross-roads of Central European, Eastern European, and Islamic culture give it significant advantage in understanding both the causes of conflict and how to operate in combat zones in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. As a small state still in the process of recovery and development, Croatia can bring a helpful perspective of similar nations to what he called "the dialogue of civilizations," helping to create policies to resolve conflicts and promote development. PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS KEY TO SECURITY POLICY -------------- -- ¶3. (SBU) Simunovic pointed to participation in international peace support operations as a cornerstone of GoC security policy. In addition to Croatia's service in the UN Peacebuilding Commission, he highlighted the nearly 200-strong Croatian contingent in Afghanistan, engaged in a wide spectrum of ISAF activities, and contributions to 11 UN peacekeeping missions. With no territorial threats, Simunovic said the Croatian military is increasingly aligned for deployment with UN, NATO and EU operations. ¶4. (SBU) Simunovic noted that the GoC has also become active in arms control and non-proliferation, becoming party to nearly every major international convention and initiative, including recent acceptance into the Australia Group and endorsement of the USG-organized Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. With Embassy assistance, the GoC has developed an active and effective export control regime. POSITIVE REPUTATION DRIVES SUPPORT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) While Croatia is competing with the Czech Republic for the UNSC seat, Simunovic emphasized that the campaign has been completely positive, with neither side attempting to attack the other's candidacy. The campaign, he said, has given Croatia a better perspective on how they are viewed by the rest of the international community. According to Simunovic, Croatia has developed a strong reputation over the years as demonstrated by the support from many EU nations and major developing states for Croatia's candidacy. Among these supporters is Serbia, which, Simunovic noted, is a testament to Croatia's positive role in the region. He attributed this is in great part to the image of Croatia as an "honest broker" when it comes to dealing with peacebuilding and conflict resolution. x. (U) An MFA document providing additional details on Croatia's UNSC candidacy is available at http://www.mvpei.hr/CustomPages/Static/HRV/Fi les/ kandidatura_VSUN.pdf. BRADTKE