VZCZCXRO6171
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK
RUEHYG
DE RUEHVB #0421/01 1900850
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 090850Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9386
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000421 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/RPM 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL HR
SUBJECT: ZAGREB WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - JULY 10 
 
REF: ZAGREB 00409 
 
¶1. (U) LITTLE CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC POLICY: 
 
The new Kosor government released a 19-point governance 
program this week, 15 points of which concern economic 
policy. There is no major change of direction from the 
Sanader government.  Most points focus on broad principles 
such as establishing conditions for economic recovery, 
maintaining labor market stability, protecting economically 
vulnerable groups, and boosting investment to small and 
medium enterprises.  Some, however, are more controversial 
including a pledge to continue construction of the Peljesac 
bridge, and exploration of a much-needed, but costly, new 
highway from Split to Dubrovnik.  Comment: the program also 
says the government will "Fight for each and every job", 
which undoubtedly will play well with voters wavering in 
their support of the new government, but could lead to some 
difficult choices in the inevitable budget cuts to come. 
Statements released Wednesday indicate the government is 
preparing to announce wage and pension cuts. Post will follow 
up with further reporting when the government's specific 
strategy for achieving these goals becomes more clear. 
(DWestfall) 
 
 
¶2. (U) CROATIAN KFOR CONTINGENT ARRIVES IN KOSOVO: 
 
On July 2 two Croatian military transport helicopters arrived 
at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo to support KFOR.  The two 
helicopters and 20 supporting troops are Croatia's first 
deployment abroad of their air force assets as part of NATO 
operation.  The MOD noted in a public announcement that 
Croatia's participation in KFOR would contribute to the 
stabilization of the situation in Kosovo as well as help to 
build Kosovar state institutions. (PD'Amico) 
 
 
¶3. (U) HDZ PARTY CONGRESS LEAVES DOOR OPEN FOR FORMER PM: 
 
PolOff, along with well over 10,000 HDZ supporters, attended 
the July 4 HDZ party congress that was held in the newly 
opened Zagreb Arena.  The session that was open to non-party 
guests lasted nearly four hours, and focused nearly 
exclusively on the achievements and tenure of departing HDZ 
president Ivo Sanader.  In two different speeches Sanader 
emphasized that it was time for him to go, but that he could 
never say "never" when it came to the possibility of a return 
to political life.  Most party heavyweights, such as Vladimir 
Seks, Luka Bebic, and Darko Milinovic, gave short speeches 
which focused on Sanader's and the HDZ's achievements over 
the past 20 years.  Nearly every speech made during the 
convention seemed to anticipate Sanader,s eventual return to 
active political life, although Sanader himself continues to 
insist he will not run for president.  Upon receiving her 
mandate as the new HDZ president Jadranka Kosor, then also 
Prime Minister-designate, gave a short speech to close the 
event.  (DMEGES) 
 
¶4. (U) AMBASSADOR BIDS PUBLIC FAREWELL AT FOURTH OF JULY 
CELEBRATION: 
The Embassy held its Independence Day Celebration on July 2, 
which was attended by more than 500 guests, including Speaker 
of Parliament Luka Bebic, Deputy Prime Minister Slobodan 
Uzelac, Minister of Justice Ivan Simonovic, and outgoing 
Minister of Education Dragan Primorac, as well as the Mayor 
of Zagreb Milan Bandic.  The Ambassador said in his speech 
that he would complete his mandate in two weeks and that the 
strong ties between the two countries had become the 
unbreakable bonds of allies when Croatia joined NATO.  He 
expressed gratitude for the excellent cooperation with the 
government and noted that the good relations  between Croatia 
and the United States, which are based on shared interests 
and common values, would not change despite the fact that 
ambassadors and prime ministers come and go.  (DMEGES) 
 
¶5. (U) CROATIAN STATE PROSECUTORS TRAINED ON CROSS 
EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES: 
On July 1 and 2, two U.S. trainers gave a lecture on cross 
examination basics to 47 Croatian state prosecutors who, due 
to recent changes to the Croatian Criminal Procedure Act, 
will have the ability to cross-examine witnesses.  This 
initial training addressed four main issues: 1) what is cross 
examination, 2) the purpose and goals of cross examination, 
3) basic techniques and 4) the difference between direct and 
cross examinations.  This lecture was an introduction to a 
longer, more in-depth  5-day course that will be held in 
October 2009 for both state prosecutors and judges.  This 
later course will address all aspects of the 
 
ZAGREB 00000421  002 OF 002 
 
 
cross-examination process, and will deal with subjects like 
case preparation, courtroom presentation, tactics, and all 
other aspects of this new and important addition to the 
Croatian legal system.  (Djukic) 
 
¶6. (U) CROATIA DISCOVERS FOUR MORE CASES OF H1N1: 
The Croatian Ministry of Health announced this week the 
discovery of four additional cases of H1N1 flu, bringing 
Croatia,s total to five (REFTEL).  A woman from Karlovac 
tested positive for the disease after returning to Croatia 
from Australia.  She is now recovering at home.  A second 
case was discovered in a man who recently returned from 
London.  He remains in the hospital with pneumonia and other 
complications related to chronic illnesses he suffers.  Two 
additional cases were discovered in Zagreb, also in 
individuals who had recently traveled abroad.  Putting a 
positive spin on the news, the Minister of Health said it was 
fortunate all the people involved had recently traveled, as 
it indicated the disease was not yet spreading inside 
Croatia.  Post has reviewed its tripwires for pandemic flu 
response and determined that Croatia remains at tripwire #2, 
cases identified but no human-to-human transmission. 
(DWestfall) 
BRADTKE