CROATIA CONSIDERING INCREASE IN ISAF DEPLOYMENT BY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000690

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2019
TAGS: MARR PREL NATO MOPS AF HR
SUBJECT: CROATIA CONSIDERING INCREASE IN ISAF DEPLOYMENT BY
5 PERCENT

REF: STATE 120807

Classified By: Ambassador James Foley, Reasons 1.4 B/D


1. (C) Ambassador Foley conveyed points in reftel in November
26 meeting with Foreign Minister Jandrokovic emphasizing
inter alia importance of increased troop contributions by
Croatia to ISAF. Jandrokovic replied that the U.S. could
count on strong public support from the GOC in the wake of
the President's announcement. He also said that Croatia
would endorse a unified alliance statement in support of the
U.S. plan at the December 3-4 NATO ministerial, where
Jandrokovic will represent the GOC.


2. (C) Regarding troop contributions, Jandrokovic said the
Croatian Defense Council this week had decided to strengthen
Croatia's ISAF contingent, which currently consists of 300
soldiers. A 5 percent increase (15 soldiers) had been
discussed but was not formally determined. The reason for the
hesitation was the GoC's fear of injecting Afghanistan into
the ongoing Croatian presidential campaign (where voting will
be held on December 27 and January 10). A two-thirds
majority would be required in the parliament to approve a
troop increase, and the GOC feared this could be jeopardized
if presidential candidates decided to make Croatia's presence
in Afghanistan an issue.


3. (C) Jandrokovic also noted that the Defense Council had
authorized negotiations with the UK to implement London's
request for a redeployment of Croatian forces in order to
provide enhanced security at the Kabul airport.


4. (C) Finally, Jandrokovic reported that the Defence Council
had approved deployment of POMLTs to Afghanistan, even within
its current deployment.
FOLEY