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