UNCLAS        ZAGREB 00012

SIPDIS
R 110936Z JAN 08

FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8461

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000012 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR DS/OSAC, DS/IP/EUR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC AMGT APER
SUBJECT: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND 
SAFETY REPORT FOR CROATIA - 2008 
 
REF: STATE 199547 
 
¶1. (U) The following is the 2008 OSAC Annual Crime and Safety Report 
for Croatia.  The report responses are keyed to REFTEL format, 
paragraph 3. 
 
¶2. (U) I. Overall Crime and Safety Situation: 
 
¶A. Croatia enjoys a relatively low crime rate by US and European 
standards.  It is generally safe to move about the major cities and 
tourist areas.  In Zagreb residential burglaries do occur in the 
more affluent neighbourhoods with increases in frequency observed 
during holiday and vacation periods. 
 
Croatia is a popular tourist destination, especially along the 
Adriatic coast.  While reported crime rates in the coastal regions 
are normally low, petty street crimes and document theft surge 
during the peak summer tourist season. 
 
This year Croatia has experienced an increase in ATM scams/fraud. 
Almost every major city in Croatia has been targeted by criminals 
who have the technical ability and/or the street smarts to obtain 
ATM card information and pin codes from ATMs and/or their users. 
These criminals then use this information to extract funds from an 
account illegally. 
 
Violent crime involving visitors is rare.  However, armed robberies 
in Zagreb targeting banks, armoured car deliveries, post offices and 
gambling businesses continue to be a problem. 
 
Organized crime groups target each other using intimidation tactics 
utilizing explosives and firearms.  There are no indications that 
Americans living or visiting Croatia have been targeted in these 
crimes.  Croatian Police are aggressive in their response to these 
activities. 
 
¶B. Buses and trams in Zagreb are safe and efficient.  Taxis are also 
safe with only occasional reports of fare abuse.  Croatian roads are 
generally paved and in fair to good condition.  Traffic accidents 
from aggressive drivers are common and rise noticeably during the 
summer holiday season. 
 
II. Political Violence: 
 
¶A. Political violence is rare.  There are occasional demonstrations 
by labour unions and veteran groups directed towards local 
government policies, but they have been generally peaceful.  Since 
2003, there have not been any demonstrations directed at the U.S. 
Embassy in Zagreb.  Some ethnic tensions lingering from the 1990's 
wars still exist and are more pronounced in certain regions of the 
country. 
 
¶B. Croatia has no known domestic terrorists groups.  Organized crime 
is an issue in Croatia and the region in general.  Organized Crime 
groups in the region operate across borders with relative ease 
although there is new focus by the Croatians to address this 
problem. 
 
¶C. There are no known international terrorist groups in Croatia, nor 
would it be a welcoming safehaven. 
 
¶D. Civil unrest is not a current issue in Croatia. 
 
III. Post Specific Concerns: 
 
¶A. Zagreb is located within a seismically active region and minor 
tremors are occasionally felt.  The last large-scale earthquake in 
or around Zagreb occurred in 1880. 
 
¶B. The Krsko nuclear power plant is located in Slovenia, about 40 
kilometres from Zagreb.  The plant has been in service since 1984 
and is scheduled to remain in service for another twenty years.  No 
known safety issues have occurred at the plant, but given the close 
proximity earthquakes or industrial accidents are potential 
concerns. 
 
¶C. Kidnappings are a rare occurrence in Croatia. 
 
¶D. The region has a history of smuggling by established crime groups 
to include movement of illicit drugs.  There is some violence 
associated with smuggling but it currently does not rise to the 
level of narcoterrorism. 
 
¶E. Americans are reminded that Croatian law requires all visitors to 
register with the police upon entering the country.  Registration at 
a hotel will satisfy the registration requirement.  Travellers who 
are staying in private accommodations should register with the local 
police precinct. 
 
¶F. A legacy of the war is landmines.  Croatia has       an effective 
de-mining program but there are still, by some estimates, upwards of 
half a million mines in border and former conflict areas. 
 
IV. Police Response: 
¶A. Police support provided to foreign crime victims has been 
consistently satisfactory and timely. If you are harassed, detained 
or arrested by the Croatian police you should contact the U.S. 
Embassy as soon as possible and ask to speak to the American 
Citizens Services section. 
¶B. The nationwide police emergency number is 92. In Zagreb the 
police have an English-speaking dispatcher on duty at all times. 
Outside of Zagreb this may not be the case. 
 
¶V. Medical Emergencies: 
¶A. The nationwide medical emergency number is 94, the fire emergency 
number is 93.  The medical dispatch center also tries to maintain an 
English speaker on duty.  The primary trauma hospital in Zagreb is 
"Traumatoligija" located at Draskoviceva 19, Phone 385-1-461-0011. 
Air Ambulance companies based in Austria service Croatia. 
 
VI. Travel Precautions: 
 
¶A. Visitors to one of the several "gentlemen's" clubs in Croatia are 
cautioned to be aware of drink prices.  On several occasions 
tourists have unknowingly run up exorbitant bar bills, sometimes in 
the thousands of dollars.  In Croatia it is legal to charge any 
price as long as the price is posted.  However, these establishments 
post drink lists in small text and in odd places making it difficult 
for patrons to see the prices. The establishment staff may resort to 
threats or strong arm tactics to those customers who will not pay 
the bill. 
 
¶B. Caution is advised when visiting gambling establishments due to 
the number of armed robberies targeting those locations.  Also, 
visitors should be extra vigilant during large soccer events which 
tend to draw large crowds and occasionally some violence. 
 
¶C. Visitors are recommended to avoid using stand alone and/or 
isolated ATMs as these machines appear to be targeted by theft 
schemes more often then ATMs located inside banks, shopping centers 
or hotels.  Visitors are reminded not to give your pin number to 
anyone and that it is recommended to cover the touchpad with your 
hand when entering your pin code. 
 
VII. Further Information: 
 
¶A. Duty Officer    385-91-455-2247 
  U.S. embassy business hours 385-1-661-2200 
  U.S. embassy 24hours   385-1-661-2400 
  RSO office     385-1-661-2228 
  Consular Affairs    385-1-661-2300 
  Political/econ section  385-1-661-2283 
  Foreign Commercial Service  385-1-661-2090 
  Medical Unit    385-1-661-2274 
  CROMAC De-mining Center  385-44-554-151 
 
VIII. OSAC Country Council: 
 
¶A. The OSAC Country council for Croatia is in the development 
stages.  For more information, or to become a member, please contact 
the Regional Security Office, OSAC'S Eastern Europe Regional 
Coordinator or visit http://Zagreb.osac.gov. 
 
WALKER