ZAGREB DAILY REPORT: DECEMBER 30, 2009

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000770 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL HR SUBJECT: ZAGREB DAILY REPORT: DECEMBER 30, 2009 ¶1. (U) MESIC RECEIVES CREDENTIALS FROM FIRST KOSOVAR AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA: On December 30, Kosovo's first ambassador to Croatia, Valdet Sadiku, received his credentials from President Mesic. Mesic said that Croatia's recognition of Kosovo's independence was not aimed against anyone, but was a policy that acknowledged reality. Mesic added that he plans to pay an official visit to Kosovo prior to the end of this term on February 17. ¶2. (U) CROATIAN UNSC TERM ENDS: Croatia departs the UNSC this week, at the end of its two-year term. To mark the occasion, the Croatian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the UNSC term had reaffirmed "Croatia's position as a responsible and respected member of the international community and crowned its nearly 18-year-long membership in the UN." Bosnia-Hercegovnia will assume the non-permanent seat for Eastern Europe for the 2010-2011 mandate. WALKER