VZCZCXRO2912
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHVB #0056 0191421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191421Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7163
INFO RUEAORC/USCUSTOMS AND BORDER PROT WASHINGTON DC
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/USDOE WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RULSSGG/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUCNEXC/EXRBS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000056 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NP/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH AND JMCCLELLAN; DEPT FOR EUR/ACE 
DMARTIN; CBP/INA FOR PWARKER; USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY; DOC FOR 
PETERSEN-BEARD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP HR LO SI
SUBJECT: EXBS: CROATIA/SLOVAKIA/SLOVENIA ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING 
CABLE - DECEMBER 2006 
 
 
¶1.  SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS 
 
Croatia 
 
----04 December, Participated in the United Nations Development 
Program (UNDP) presentation of the findings of the Small Arms and 
Light Weapons (SALW) Survey of Croatia.  The findings revealed the 
presence of approximately 968,000 weapons in civilian hands in 
Croatia, of which 597,000 were considered unregistered and/or 
illegal.  The total of registered weapons were 20% of US totals, 40% 
of Serbia, 50% of Bosnia, 100% of Bulgaria and 800% of the total for 
Hungary.  Responsive to the survey findings the report reaffirmed 
Croatia's status as a transit state for all weapons trafficking from 
east to west and particularly the EU.  The report also presented 
recommendations for legislative controls of civilian firearm 
possession to curb and control illegal and unregistered weapons. 
 
 
----05 December, Attended a meeting requested by the Minister of 
Interior (MoI), conducted by two Deputy Ministers and the General 
Counsel's office to address areas of concern and provide 
recommendations for the new SALW Gun Control legislation now pending 
in the Sabor.  After review and discussion it was mutually agreed 
that the legislation could be strengthened by more precise language 
and compliance procedures. A review of the list of restricted 
weapons and components determined that some descriptions were 
ambiguous and needed to be more precise to eliminate the potential 
for opportunistic interpretative loopholes.  The Amnesty provisions 
were strengthened to provide optimum opportunity for the public 
registration of legal weapons and reduced opportunities for the 
surrender of illegal weapons thereby removing any noncompliance 
advantage. 
 
----12 - 15 December, Commenced a review and revision of Croatia's 
Export Control legislation and Criminal Code with the assistance of 
a legal contractor from Export Management Solutions (CTP) sponsored 
by EXBS and the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Representatives from 
the Ministry of Economy (MoE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), 
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Public Prosecutor's Office attended 
the commencement meeting.  As a result of discussion, the MoJ agreed 
to pursue further review and revision of the Criminal Code, in 
concurrence with the Export Control legislative revision process to 
introduce specific provisions applied to Export Control violations 
to enhance prosecutorial success. During the one-week session, 
drafts were developed for the Dual-Use and Munitions Laws and 
supportive regulations.  It is anticipated that the drafts will be 
completed and provided for legislative review and approval by mid 
¶2007. 
 
----14 December, Met with officials from the Ministry of Finance 
(MoF) Customs Directorate, to finalize documentation for the 
donation of a Rapiscan unit, Autovan and Gerber tools. 
 
----14 December, Met with the Austrian Advisor to MoF Customs 
Directorate to coordinate activities directed toward joint efforts 
for Customs Academy development. 
 
¶2.  TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD 
 
Slovenia 
 
----November 31 - 01 December, As reported last month, the fourth 
deployment of the U.S. Commerce sponsored Internal Control Program 
(ICP) concluded on 01 December.  The event was well attended due to 
the effort of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce. All Slovenian 
Ministries responsible for presenting segments of the program 
demonstrated significant improvement toward generating interest in 
their scheduled presentations.  There is an apparent learning curve 
at work within all ICP iterations directly influencing the 
responsive and progressive development among participant ministries. 
It is increasingly apparent in every session that presenters are 
assuming greater confidence and competence in understanding and 
conveying how the relationship linking the respective ICP roles and 
responsibilities lends strength to their Export Control program. 
 
BRADTKE