GOC OFFERS VISIT TO U.S. TO DISCUSS PROGRESS ON CIVIL

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000647 SIPDIS Department for EEB/TRA/OTP Kristin Gustavson Department pass to FAA (Mel Cintron) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR PGOV HR SUBJECT: GOC OFFERS VISIT TO U.S. TO DISCUSS PROGRESS ON CIVIL AVIATION REFORM REF: ZAGREB 641 ¶1. Senior Croatian government officials contacted the Ambassador on 11 September to again express concern about the upcoming FAA release of Croatia's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 2 rating. They said that Transport Minister Kalmeta was ready to travel to Washington immediately with his key staff responsible for civil aviation reform in order to discuss Croatia's progress on the areas identified in the IASA report, explain specific actions that Croatia has taken, and lay out additional actions Croatia plans to take. The officials stressed that their hope for such a visit is that it could result in a two to three month delay in the release of the assessment results. ¶2. Action Request: Post requests Washington guidance on whether such a visit would be possible and repeats reftel request for guidance on whether any delay could be considered. BRADTKE