GOC REQUESTS DELAY OF OR CAVEAT TO IASA CAT 2 LISTING

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000641 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/TRA/OTP Kristin Gustavson DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO FAA (Mel Cintron) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR PGOV HR SUBJECT: GOC REQUESTS DELAY OF OR CAVEAT TO IASA CAT 2 LISTING ¶1. Croatian Minister of Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure Bozidar Kalmeta requested a meeting with the Ambassador on September 9 to discuss the upcoming release of the FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) rating for Croatia. The Minister asked the Ambassador if the expected announcement of a Category 2 rating could be postponed. He cited significant progress in the creation of Croatia's new civil aviation agency since the FAA's assessment was conducted earlier in the year. According to the Minister, the structure of the new agency is in place and the ministry is in the process of identifying the personnel to run it. The Ambassador told the Minister he thought that postponement was unlikely, but that he would pose the request to Washington. The Minister then asked whether the ministry might submit a report to the FAA detailing Croatia's progress since January, and whether such a report might result in the inclusion of language reflecting that progress in any eventual FAA statement on Croatia's rating. The Ambassador replied that he would also pass that inquiry along. ¶2. Action Request: Post requests Washington guidance on how to respond to the Minister's inquiries. BRADTKE