ZAGREB WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - APRIL 2, 2008

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SUBJECT: ZAGREB WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - APRIL 2, 2008


1. (U) GOC TO DEPLOY TROOPS TO UN MISSION ON GOLAN HEIGHTS
IN JUNE:
On Friday March 28, the Croatian parliament supported a
decision to send 95 soldiers to serve as members of the UN
peacekeeping force in the Golan Heights. A clear majority
(104 of the 153-seat parliament) endorsed the plan to send
troops to assist the UN mission separating Israeli and Syrian
forces on the strategic heights. A Croatian light infantry
company will be replacing the Slovak contingent in the Golan
Heights in June. (PMcCabe)


2. (U) THREE WITNESSES LIVING IN THE U.S. TESTIFY VIA VIDEO
LINK IN CROATIAN WAR CRIMES TRIAL:
The Croatian County Court hearing the high profile war crimes
trial of Generals Rahim Ademi and Mirko Norac (the one
"11bis" case transferred by the ICTY to the Croatian court
system) successfully heard testimony from 3 witnesses
currently residing in the United States over the final two
weeks of March. Using equipment provided to the GOC from the
U.S. Department of Justice, the witnesses testified via video
link. A fourth witness located by U.S. authorities was
unwilling to testify in the case and has been deemed an
endangered witness. Croatian and U.S. authorities have
agreed not to compel that witness' testimony. The presiding
judge has noted to Embassy POL Assistant that this video link
testimony was important to the case. (VDjukic)


3. (SBU) COUNTDOWN TO THE PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY'S VISIT
TO ZAGREB:
Preparations for the upcoming visit of the President and
First Lady intensified this week. White House Advance Team
members continue to work closely with Embassy Zagreb staff to
prepare various sites for meetings and social events on April
4 and 5. (PMcCabe)
Bradtke
UNQUOTE: RICE