GOVERNMENT OF CROATIA SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL

UNCLAS STATE 011218 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: HR CROATIA MARR PARM PREL SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF CROATIA SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON REDUCTION OF CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS STOCKPILES REF: A. 2008 CDRUSEUCOM 12010907 ¶B. STATE 2919 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph ¶3. ¶2. (U) Summary and Action Request. Because the countries of Southeast Europe face similar threats posed by excess, unstable, loosely-secured or otherwise at-risk stockpiles of conventional weapons and munitions, and at the request of the Montenegrin CHOD for a regional approach to address this threat, the Department of State will host a conference for officials from Balkan ministries of defense to exchange lessons learned, and develop a coordinated approach as appropriate to stockpile reductions and security. Post is requested to seek Government of Croatia (GOC) approval for said conference to be held in Croatia in May 2009. End Summary. OBJECTIVES ¶3. (U) Post is requested to pursue the following objectives with the GOC: -- Seek GOC approval for the U.S. to host, in Dubrovnik in May 2009, a regional conference on the reduction of conventional weapons stockpiles in Southeast Europe. -- Seek GOC support for MOD officials to attend and participate in the conference. -- Clarify with GOC that they are not expected to co-host, fund, or have other major responsibilities, though they will be invited to have a prominent speaking role. ¶4. (U) Post may draw from points in paragraphs 5-9 to provide a non-paper as appropriate. Post is requested to provide a response to the Department as soon as possible. BACKGROUND ¶5. (U) Southeast European countries have aging, excess, and unstable stockpiles of conventional weapons and munitions. These stockpiles pose dual threats of illicit proliferation and accidental explosion. These threats could cause humanitarian disasters and/or destabilize individual countries or the region as a whole. Last year alone, explosions occurred in ammunition stockpiles in Albania, Bulgaria, and Serbia, causing large numbers of casualties, displaced civilians, and significant damage. ¶6. (U) At the September 2008 Adriatic Charter Chiefs of Defense Conference, the Montenegro CHOD suggested a regional approach to the common challenges of excess munitions disposal. U.S. European Command (EUCOM) agreed, believing that the Department of State should help create a forum where the governments of Southeastern Europe could develop regional plans to address problems associated with excess and unstable stockpiles (ref A). ¶7. (U) The Department of State supports EUCOM,s proposal and is planning a regional event to address this issue (ref B). The conference to launch a &Southeastern Europe Regional Initiative on Reducing Stockpiles of Conventional Weapons and Munitions8 is tentatively planned for May 6-7 in Dubrovnik, pending GOC concurrence. ¶8. (U) The purpose of the conference is to launch a proactive, coordinated, and regional approach for addressing the destabilizing threats posed by excess and unstable stockpiles of conventional weapons and munitions in Southeast Europe. We do not aspire to create a new regional bureaucracy. Instead, we seek to create a space where senior MOD executives from the region can periodically share information, advice, and lessons learned, as well as coordinate efforts when and where appropriate. We envision this being the first in a series of ongoing discussions among regional officials about addressing these threats. We seek to be inclusive, inviting representative from MODs and numerous international organizations involved in this work. ¶9. (U) As a regional leader on this issue, GOC is a natural partner, and Croatia is an ideal location for launching this process. ¶10. (U) Points of Contact: PM/WRA F. David Diaz 202-663-0102 and Laurie Freeman 202-663-0113. CLINTON