ZAGREB WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - JULY 10

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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

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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