CROATIA: 2008 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000883 SIPDIS FOR S/CT: RHONDA SHORE AND NCTC, INFO NCTC: RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL HR SUBJECT: CROATIA: 2008 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM REF: STATE 120019 ¶1. Croatia has no indigenous terrorist threat and there have been no recorded terrorist threats to the US Embassy or US personnel. Croatia has a small Muslim community that is very secular in their orientation and, in comparison with their overall numbers, are well represented within the professional and intellectual elite in the country. ¶2. Croatian law-enforcement institutions cooperate well with US counterterrorism initiatives and have received training from the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest, Hungary; DS/ATA; DTRA; EXBS; FBI; DEA; ICITAP; U.S. Marshals; and the International Visitors Program. Croatia is also a strong partner in the global war on terror, and the Croatian government has increased its contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan from 200 to 300 soldiers who serve as military police, medical support, force security, and in liaison and training roles. ¶3. In December 2008, Croatia passed a new national strategy for the prevention of terrorism which will enhance Croatia's ability to cooperate in international counterterrorism efforts. Also in December 2008, Croatia, in its Presidency of the UN Security Council, chaired an open debate on "Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorism," which resulted in a UN Presidency Statement condemning terrorist acts and advocating the advancement of international efforts to combat terrorism. ¶4. Croatia is in the initial phases of introducing biometric passports, but border security remains a challenge. Border patrol forces are limited by a lack of personnel and training to cover effectively a 750 mile border with Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia. Monitoring the country's 6,000 miles of coastline poses similar problems. As Croatia prepares to join the European Union it is engaged in ongoing reforms of its judiciary to enhance the government's ability to arrest and prosecute criminals of all varieties, including terrorists. ¶5. Please contact PolOff Chris Rhoton (RhotonCJ@state.gov) or RSO Robert Grech (GrechRF@state.gov) with questions/comments. BRADTKE