ZAGREB WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - JULY 10

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000421 SIPDIS FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL HR SUBJECT: ZAGREB WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - JULY 10 REF: ZAGREB 00409 ¶1. (U) LITTLE CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC POLICY: The new Kosor government released a 19-point governance program this week, 15 points of which concern economic policy. There is no major change of direction from the Sanader government. Most points focus on broad principles such as establishing conditions for economic recovery, maintaining labor market stability, protecting economically vulnerable groups, and boosting investment to small and medium enterprises. Some, however, are more controversial including a pledge to continue construction of the Peljesac bridge, and exploration of a much-needed, but costly, new highway from Split to Dubrovnik. Comment: the program also says the government will "Fight for each and every job", which undoubtedly will play well with voters wavering in their support of the new government, but could lead to some difficult choices in the inevitable budget cuts to come. Statements released Wednesday indicate the government is preparing to announce wage and pension cuts. Post will follow up with further reporting when the government's specific strategy for achieving these goals becomes more clear. (DWestfall) ¶2. (U) CROATIAN KFOR CONTINGENT ARRIVES IN KOSOVO: On July 2 two Croatian military transport helicopters arrived at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo to support KFOR. The two helicopters and 20 supporting troops are Croatia's first deployment abroad of their air force assets as part of NATO operation. The MOD noted in a public announcement that Croatia's participation in KFOR would contribute to the stabilization of the situation in Kosovo as well as help to build Kosovar state institutions. (PD'Amico) ¶3. (U) HDZ PARTY CONGRESS LEAVES DOOR OPEN FOR FORMER PM: PolOff, along with well over 10,000 HDZ supporters, attended the July 4 HDZ party congress that was held in the newly opened Zagreb Arena. The session that was open to non-party guests lasted nearly four hours, and focused nearly exclusively on the achievements and tenure of departing HDZ president Ivo Sanader. In two different speeches Sanader emphasized that it was time for him to go, but that he could never say "never" when it came to the possibility of a return to political life. Most party heavyweights, such as Vladimir Seks, Luka Bebic, and Darko Milinovic, gave short speeches which focused on Sanader's and the HDZ's achievements over the past 20 years. Nearly every speech made during the convention seemed to anticipate Sanader,s eventual return to active political life, although Sanader himself continues to insist he will not run for president. Upon receiving her mandate as the new HDZ president Jadranka Kosor, then also Prime Minister-designate, gave a short speech to close the event. (DMEGES) ¶4. (U) AMBASSADOR BIDS PUBLIC FAREWELL AT FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION: The Embassy held its Independence Day Celebration on July 2, which was attended by more than 500 guests, including Speaker of Parliament Luka Bebic, Deputy Prime Minister Slobodan Uzelac, Minister of Justice Ivan Simonovic, and outgoing Minister of Education Dragan Primorac, as well as the Mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandic. The Ambassador said in his speech that he would complete his mandate in two weeks and that the strong ties between the two countries had become the unbreakable bonds of allies when Croatia joined NATO. He expressed gratitude for the excellent cooperation with the government and noted that the good relations between Croatia and the United States, which are based on shared interests and common values, would not change despite the fact that ambassadors and prime ministers come and go. (DMEGES) ¶5. (U) CROATIAN STATE PROSECUTORS TRAINED ON CROSS EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES: On July 1 and 2, two U.S. trainers gave a lecture on cross examination basics to 47 Croatian state prosecutors who, due to recent changes to the Croatian Criminal Procedure Act, will have the ability to cross-examine witnesses. This initial training addressed four main issues: 1) what is cross examination, 2) the purpose and goals of cross examination, 3) basic techniques and 4) the difference between direct and cross examinations. This lecture was an introduction to a longer, more in-depth 5-day course that will be held in October 2009 for both state prosecutors and judges. This later course will address all aspects of the ZAGREB 00000421 002 OF 002 cross-examination process, and will deal with subjects like case preparation, courtroom presentation, tactics, and all other aspects of this new and important addition to the Croatian legal system. (Djukic) ¶6. (U) CROATIA DISCOVERS FOUR MORE CASES OF H1N1: The Croatian Ministry of Health announced this week the discovery of four additional cases of H1N1 flu, bringing Croatia,s total to five (REFTEL). A woman from Karlovac tested positive for the disease after returning to Croatia from Australia. She is now recovering at home. A second case was discovered in a man who recently returned from London. He remains in the hospital with pneumonia and other complications related to chronic illnesses he suffers. Two additional cases were discovered in Zagreb, also in individuals who had recently traveled abroad. Putting a positive spin on the news, the Minister of Health said it was fortunate all the people involved had recently traveled, as it indicated the disease was not yet spreading inside Croatia. Post has reviewed its tripwires for pandemic flu response and determined that Croatia remains at tripwire #2, cases identified but no human-to-human transmission. (DWestfall) BRADTKE