VZCZCXRO0068
RR RUEHPOD
DE RUEHVB #1018 3231429
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191429Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8339
INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 1989
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 1037

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001018 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
FOR EUR/SCE AND S/WCI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR HR MW IT WAR CRIMES
SUBJECT: LITTLE IMPACT ON CROATIA-MONTENEGRO RELATIONS FROM 
SURPRISE BRCIC ARREST 
 
REF: (A) PODGORICA 353 (B) MICHELI 13/11/07 EMAIL 
 
¶1. (SBU) Discussing the 4 November arrest of Montenegrin Navy 
Captain Ilija Brcic, Montenegrin First Counselor Vesna 
Nikcevic told PolOff that she expects Brcic will eventually 
be extradited to Croatia where he will face a new trial 
following his 1993 conviction in absentia.  Nikcevic claimed 
the GOM was unaware of Brcic's conviction, at least on a 
level which could have prevented him from traveling to Italy 
(although ref B indicates Brcic himself knew of the charges). 
 She acknowledged the situation was embarrassing as 
information about his conviction was readily available on the 
Internet.  She speculated Brcic previously traveled to Greece 
without incident because his plane arrived at a military 
facility which lacked some of the screening found at the 
commercial airport in Rome.  She said the incident has 
prompted the Montenegrin Prime Minister to declare reforms to 
Montenegro's employment policies for new official personnel. 
All personnel will be screened against lists of indicted war 
criminals.  Anyone found on such a list will be ineligible 
for government or military employment. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Nikcevic claimed the GOM has been forward-leaning 
and cooperative with the GOC in efforts to extradite Brcic. 
They view this as a personal issue of Brcic's which he must 
largely resolve on his own.  Nikcevic did not foresee any 
negative impact on Montenegro's strong relationship with 
Croatia.  She indicated the GOC appeared as surprised about 
the sudden arrest as the GOM.  She did not believe Croatian 
officials had highlighted Brcic's travel to the Italians 
prior to his arrest.  Post is aware, however, that Croatian 
State Prosecutor previously provided a list of indicted 
individuals to the GOSAM about one year ago, and that Brcic's 
name and conviction appears on that list. 
BRADTKE