Zagreb Daily Report - December 22, 2009

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000754 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL HR SUBJECT: Zagreb Daily Report - December 22, 2009 ¶1. (U) Croatia closes two more EU Chapters: Croatia closed two more policy chapters in its accession negotiations with the European Union in Brussels on Monday, December 21 and has now closed 17 out of 33 chapters. Croatia closed negotiations on chapter 3 "Right of Establishment and Freedom to Provide Services" and chapter 19 "Social Policy and Employment" at a ministerial accession conference. There was further indication that three additional chapters-chapter 9 "Financial Services", chapter 15 "Energy", and chapter 28 "Consumer and Health Protection"-would be ready to be closed by the next ministerial conference which is likely to be held in February. Three chapters that have been technically ready for opening for some time-"Foreign, Security and Defense Policy," "Environment" and "Fisheries"-were not closed at today's conference due to lack of consent from Slovenia. Croatian Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Gordan Jandrokovic voiced his belief that Slovenia will provide its consent to the chapters it held up by the next accession conference and that Croatia's accession negotiations would be wrapped up in 2010. ¶2. (U) Kosor questions Kalmeta's responsibility after train crash: After yesterday's passenger train crash, the third railway incident in less than six months, press reported that Prime Minister Kosor contacted Transport Minister Bozidar Kalmeta, who is in charge of rail transport and is also the chairman of the HZ national railway operator Supervisory Board, and allegedly raised the issue of his responsibility. Speaking for HRT RADIO on Monday, Kosor hinted that Kalmeta would be asked to resign, saying that, "When a string [of problems] lines up within any minister's portfolio, it is normal to talk about responsibility." She further stated that they "talked about it and will probably reach a final decision today or tomorrow. This is something that I feel should be brought in line with the common practice everywhere in the world." Asked by the press about his resignation, Kalmeta said he was "thinking about everything now, including a resignation". Kalmeta also offered his resignation after the railroad accident near Kastela last summer, when nine people were killed, but Kosor refused it at the time. ¶3. (U) Croatia can continue searching for the missing artillery logs: The panel of judges at the ICTY tribunal ruled in a written decision that although Croatia can continue searching for missing artillery logs, the investigation of seized documents and computers, which may contain information covered by the attorney-client privilege, belonging to Gotovina's team members must be suspended. However, the court rejected the defense's request to ban any future Croatian investigations into the defense team. The panel of judges also ruled that the investigation of the defense's Marin Ivanovic can continue albeit in a limited fashion. ¶4. (U) Delay in privatization of shipyards: The European Commission has permitted a delay in publication of the second round of shipyard privatization tenders. Originally scheduled to be released on January 6, the EC has approved the second tender be published sometime at the start of February. The EC Office for Market Competition has also agreed to allow the second tender, which was supposed to be only 30 days, to last for 60 days, the same as the initial one last summer. ¶5. (U) Regional Security Office visits neighboring cities: Between the dates of December 2 - 18, the Regional Security Officer (RSO) and Assistant Regional Security Officer (ARSO) from Zagreb visited Croatian Police Commanders in Zagreb, Sisak, and Varazdin. All officials stated that the current economic situation has not resulted in an increase in crime; however, there has been an increase in domestic violence incidents, which they attribute to the current economic challenges. RSO/ARSO expressed the desire to build on the solid foundation of joint cooperation in law enforcement matters. Concurrently, department officials expressed their gratitude for the Embassy's support for police reform, and look forward to continued cooperation and liaising. WALKER