EXPANDING THE CHORUS ON IRAN - CROATIAN RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000579 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KNNP MNUC HR IR SUBJECT: EXPANDING THE CHORUS ON IRAN - CROATIAN RESPONSE REF: A. STATE 95073 ¶B. FOLEY-MULL 9/17/09 EMAILS Classified By: Rick Holtzapple, PolEcon Counselor, for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador delivered ref A points directly to FM Gordan Jandrokovic on September 14 and to President Mesic's Special Advisor Budimir Loncar on September 17. Jandrokovic said he understood U.S. concerns, and noted that it was important for the Ambassador to demarche Mesic as well. Loncar also indicated he understood our concerns and agreed to recommend to Mesic that he include a reference to Iran's inadequate response to international concerns over its nuclear program in his remarks at the UNGA. He noted that Mesic continued to parry Iranian requests to visit Tehran, and would do so for the remaining six months of his term. Loncar asked whether it would be useful for Mesic to try and meet with the Iranians in New York and make these points directly. (NOTE: Mesic previously met with Ahmadinejad on the margins of the UNGA in 2007. END NOTE.) After consulting with Washington (ref B),the Ambassador replied that we did not think such an initiative would be productive and would only be exploited by the Iranians. Loncar said that was what he had expected. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: In the past, Mesic has not shied away from encouraging Croatian companies to pursue economic opportunities in Iran, particularly in the energy sector, and he formally visited Tehran in mid-2001. However, Mesic is a staunch believer in the UN system and views obligations adopted by the UNSC as being legally binding. While Mesic can be unpredictable, as evidenced by his decision to visit Cuba this week just prior to the UNGA session, it is more likely than not that he will follow Loncar's advice and include the nuclear issue in his UNGA speech. END COMMENT. FOLEY