EXBS: CROATIA MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - OCTOBER 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000657 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/ECC - RBALDWIN STATE ALSO FOR EUR/SCE FOR CWESTLEY; EUR/ACE FOR DFROMAN USCBP/INA FOR BSUBER DTRA ALEX WASHDC FOR MMYERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KV SUBJECT: EXBS: CROATIA MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - OCTOBER 2009 ¶1. (U) BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS -None Known. ¶2. (U) COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD -None Known. ¶3. (U) SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS DURING REPORTING PERIOD CROATIA: A) (SBU) October 22 - the GoC held an interagency meeting with a member of DTRA's International Counter proliferation Program office as part of Croatia's efforts to draft a national counter proliferation strategy. At the meeting there were approximately 25 representatives of different ministries and agencies as well as an Embassy representative. The GoC has a draft strategy and is making progress on finalizing it. Once Croatia adopts its counter proliferation strategy it would be a regional and world leader on the issue. DTRA will likely return in early 2010 to continue to work on this effort. B) (U) October 27 - Political Officer Peter D'Amico and EXBS Program Assistant met with Mr. Darko Kihalic, Head of Department for Operations and Reporting, Customs Directorate, to discuss mutual cooperation and program integration in areas of mutual interest. Following brief introductions, PolOff thanked Customs for offering their support in assisting Kosovo and other countries in the region to further develop relations and share experiences on export control and non-proliferation issues. PolOff also informed Customs about postponement of the International Airport Cargo Interdiction training slated for May 2010. C) (U) October 28, 2009- Political Officer and EXBS Program Assistant met with two Assistant Director Generals from the State Office for Nuclear Safety, Mrs. Ankica Cizmek and Mr. Sasa Medakovic. Following brief introductions, Mr. Medakovic explained their current organizational capacities and responsibilities. Medavokvic stated that in the near future the State Office for Nuclear Safety will merge together with State Office for Radiation Protection in order to meet EU standards as well as to have a more defined leadership to ensure greater effectiveness in the field. D) (U) October 29 - Political Officer and EXBS Assistant met with Mr. Stipica Kuna, Assistant Head of Border Police Directorate. The discussion focused upon encouraging more regional cooperation and identifying areas where the USG can contribute to the professional capacity and effectiveness of the border police. Kuna stated that the border police had an urgent unmet need to receive diving equipment to improve their enforcement capabilities on Croatia's extensive maritime border. ¶4. Equipment usage report: - None to report. ¶5. - TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD - None to report. ¶6. -EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD - None to report. ¶7. -IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE ¶A. Bosnian/Croatian Customs anti-smuggling Best Practices is expected to be held on November 9-10, 2009. ¶B. U.S. Coast Guard "Advanced Boarding Officer" course is expected to be delivered November 16-20, 2009. ¶8. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR ZAGREB 00000657 002 OF 002 RELATED BORDER SECURITY - None to report. ¶9. PORTAL MONITOR OR RADIATION PAGER ALERTS - None to report. ¶10. Point of contact is EXBS Advisor Christopher Milam, telephone 377-44-508-016, e-mail MilamCJ@state.gov