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UNCLAS        ZAGREB 01414

SIPDIS
R 280557Z NOV 06

FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6975
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001414 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12598: N/A 
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL PHSA EWWT PBTS HR
SUBJECT:  GOC PROPOSES PSI EXERCISE 
 
¶1. (U) This is an action request.  See para 4. 
 
¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: Head of MFA's Department for 
International Security Sanja Bujas Juraga presented PolOff and EXBS 
advisor with a non-paper on November 16 describing a GoC offer to 
host a regional WMD-response exercise under the Proliferation 
Security Initiative (PSI).  The GoC seeks USG guidance and political 
support for this exercise that will contribute to regional security. 
 Post wishes to extend maximum USG support to this initiative and 
recommends a tabletop exercise of realistic scope and timing given 
other PSI activities already scheduled in the region.  Full text of 
the non-paper follows in para 5.  END SUMMARY AND COMMENT. 
 
¶3. (SBU) According to Juraga, this new initiative is in direct 
response to: 
- FM Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic's conversations with Secretary Rice 
during the PM's October visit to Washington, 
- a November OSCE/US workshop in Vienna on implementation of UNSCR 
1540, and 
- a conversation between Milena Zaninovic, head of the International 
Security Department's Nonproliferation Section, and CDR John Kroft 
of T/ISN/CPI on the margins of the "Amber Sunrise" exercise in 
Poland in September. 
The GoC is anxious to contribute more to PSI activities, as noted in 
the non-paper, both as a key partner on the so-called "Balkan route" 
and as the only country in the region to sign a shipboarding 
agreement with the US.  The GoC has proposed the Regional Arms 
Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Center (RACVIAC) 
facilities in Zagreb as an exercise venue. 
 
¶4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department guidance in 
responding to the GoC proposal.  We understand from informal 
communication with T/ISN/CPI/Kroft that Slovenia is planning a PSI 
exercise for early to mid-2007, and we are prepared to ensure that 
Croatia's efforts are coordinated and complementary and responsive 
to PSI principles.  Fostering active cooperation between Ljubljana 
and Zagreb will be key to building an effective regional partnership 
for peace and stability. 
 
¶5. (U) NON-PAPER TEXT: 
Non paper on the proposed PSI Exercise in the Republic of Croatia 
 
Non-proliferation of WMD, as well as of strategically sensitive dual 
use goods, technology, equipment and their means of delivery is 
Croatia's policy priority.  Croatia considers efforts and activities 
aimed at preventing the WMD proliferation crucial in the fight 
against contemporary security threats, and in particular the threat 
of terrorism and the risk of non-state actors, terrorist groups or 
individuals acquiring WMD. 
 
Croatia's non-proliferation of WMD policy goal is pursued through 
strengthening national implementation and enforcement of respective 
policies and obligations, as well as through actively participating 
in non-proliferation activities at the regional, multilateral and 
international levels.  Special attention is paid to effective 
implementation of international obligations under the existing 
formal international non-proliferation treaties and obligations 
within the informal non-proliferation regimes. 
 
Croatia considers international exercises and workshops crucial not 
only to establish network of allied countries which will cooperate 
effectively in respond to WMD threat, but to identify necessities 
for further improvement of national legislation and law enforcement 
capacities. 
 
With this in mind, Croatia appreciates OSCE efforts and considers 
Workshop on the Implementation of UNSC Res 1540 (2004), which took 
place on November 8, 2006 and was cosponsored by U.S., significant 
in respond to WMD threats. 
 
In its support for the efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD 
the Republic of Croatia has welcomed the activities of the 
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).  Croatia is ready to more 
actively contribute to its activities.  One of the possibilities 
under intensive consideration is the organization of a PSI exercise. 
 Objectives are to improve international cooperation in order to 
prepare for interagency and international response to a WMD 
incident. 
 
Under consideration is the venue of PSI exercise.  Due to its 
special geographic position Croatia is particularly aware of the 
dangers of WMD proliferation.  The Republic of Croatia contributes 
to strengthening stabilization and democratization of the 
Southeastern Europe actively participating in RACVIAC. Additional 
engagement in this field could be made by organizing PSI exercise in 
RACVIAC in Zagreb.  END NON-PAPER TEXT. 
 
BRADTKE