VZCZCXRO3515
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #2851 2200743
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 080743Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6129
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY 0004

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002851 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2016 
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ CR
SUBJECT: CDA MEETS NEW AMBASSADOR FROM CROATIA 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Speckhard for reasons 1.4 
 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) On August 2, Ambassador Jerko Vukas told Charge 
d'Affaires Daniel Speckhard that he is honored to be 
Croatia's first Ambassador to Iraq. His day started with 
presentation of his credentials to President Talabani 
followed by separate meetings with Foreign Minister Hoshyar 
Zebari and Defense Minister Abdul Qadir. Croatia's Assistant 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Pjer Simunovic stated that 
Croatia believes in the future of Iraq and wants to help 
build democracy by participating in capacity building and 
reconstruction.  He pointed out that Croatia already provides 
three experts to the Police Academy in Jordan responsible for 
training Iraqi policemen.  Simunovic said that GOC is able 
and ready to offer Iraq: 
 
- expertise in forensic analysis 
- specialized medical treatment for Iraqi children 
- expertise in energy sector management 
- expertise in oil sector infrastructure and management 
- sniper training 
- sniffer dog training 
- combat readiness training 
- military police training located in Croatia 
- arms and munitions 
 
¶2. (C) Simunovic added that Defense Minister Abdul Qadir 
offered to provide him with a "grocery list" of MOD needs and 
requested that anything Croatia is willing to donate be 
coordinated with NATO.  (Note: Minister Simunovic is the 
National Coordinator for NATO. End Note).  Croatia's Head of 
Section for Peace Support Operations Marta Nakic-Vojnovic 
inquired about the discontinuation of the military police 
training program in Jordan slated for December 2006. 
Simunovic urged Charge to keep the training program 
operational.  Simunovic believes that there is a need for 
trainees to continue to upgrade their skills in order to 
guarantee strong solid leadership. 
 
¶3. (C) Charge expressed his appreciation for Croatia's 
commitment to reconstruction and development in Iraq. 
Croatia's offer of assistance, Charge continued, reflects 
what the international community envisioned by the UN 
International Compact for Iraq.  IRMO Deputy Director Max 
Primorac added that Croatia has a unique opportunity to 
provide guidance for Iraq based on its own successful 
transition in the midst of internal conflict.  Its recent 
experiences in reintegrating excess military personnel into 
civilian life and expertise in infrastructure planning, for 
example, could provide a working blueprint for Iraq's own 
reconstruction efforts. 
 
¶4. (C) The delegation sought the Embassy's advice and 
assistance in establishing its mission.  Simunovic said the 
delegation is weighing the options of moving into the Donor 
Village, finding IZ accommodations, or taking Foreign 
Minister Zebari's offer to stay at the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs compound.  Charge agreed that the Donor Village would 
be an opportunity to open a small mission without having to 
invest in a large security force, but noted that Croatia 
would need to be providing a credible assistance program to 
fit with the spirit and intent of the village.  On their next 
visit, Charge offered to set up meetings with RSO, property 
management committee and others to assist in establishing an 
in-country presence. 
KHALILZAD