Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ZAGREB875
2008-12-19 15:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:  

IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO CROATIA

Tags:  PGOV PREL HR IR IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0955
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK
DE RUEHVB #0875 3541523
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191523Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8873
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0311
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0255
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA AU PRIORITY 0010
C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000875 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL HR IR IS
SUBJECT: IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO CROATIA

REF: A. ZAGREB 00828

B. D'AMICO-NEA 12/8 AND 12/10 EMAILS

Classified By: Peter D'Amico, Pol Off, Reasons 1.4 (B/D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000875

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL HR IR IS
SUBJECT: IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO CROATIA

REF: A. ZAGREB 00828

B. D'AMICO-NEA 12/8 AND 12/10 EMAILS

Classified By: Peter D'Amico, Pol Off, Reasons 1.4 (B/D)


1. (C) On December 18 Petar Mihatov, MFA State Secretary
Bozinovic's Chief of Staff, provided Pol Off a read-out of
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister (DFM) for European Affairs
Mahdi Safari's visit to Zagreb on December 15 and 16 (REF A).
Mihatov said that in the meetings at the MFA, Bozinovic
stressed to Safari that while the GoI could have a peaceful
nuclear program, it should be transparent and abide by the
terms of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Bozinovic added that
Iran needed to respect the UN Security Council's resolutions
on Iran's nuclear program. As a participating member of
ISAF, Bozinovic said the GoC was also concerned about support
for the Taliban and that neighboring countries like Iran had
a responsibility to help Afghanistan's stability. Bozinovic
underscored Croatia's support for the Annapolis process and
stated that the GoC objected to any denials of either
Israel's right to exist or of the holocaust. Mihatov said
that at the last minute Safari wanted to organize a joint
press conference following the meeting, but the MFA refused.


2. (C) Mihatov noted that DFM Safari primarily raised
economic issues in his discussions with officials in Zagreb.
In meetings at the Ministry of Economy and the Croatian
Chamber of Commerce, Safari complained about the low level of
trade between the countries, the Croatian visa regime for
Iranian citizens, the lack direct flights, and Iranian access
to banking in Croatia. A statement from the President
Mesic's office reported that Safari also raised economic
issues in his discussion with President Mesic and that Safari
noted that the Iranian-Croatian Council of Economic
Cooperation had not held meetings. Mihatov, who was not in
President Mesic's meeting with Safari, said that Mesic had
reportedly raised the idea of talking with the U.S.
Ambassador about Croatia's economic relationship with Iran
after Safari departed.

COMMENT
--------------


3. (C) The GoC was clearly aware that such a visit needed to
be handled carefully. While not wanting to shut the door on
the DFM of a country with whom Croatia has diplomatic
relations, the GoC made sure the message that it sent to the
Iranians was discussed in advance with key allies like the
United States (REF B).
WALKER