Cablegate: Zagreb Update: June 23, 1992

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01028 01 OF 03 231446Z
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 0553
USMISSION GENEVA
DEPTTREASURY WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ZAGREB 01028

SIPDIS

VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
-
DEPT PASS TO AID FOR EUR/RME AND FHA/OFDA/DRD
-
E.O. 12356:N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN PHUM MOPS EC PREL ECON EFIN PHUM MOPS EC PREL ECON EFIN PHUM MOPS EC HR
SUBJECT: ZAGREB UPDATE: JUNE 23, 1992

SUMMARY
-------

1. THE OSIJEK MAYOR THREATENED TO RESIGN IF THE
MILITARY DOES NOT POLICE UP LAWLESS ELEMENTS WITHIN
ITS RANKS. THE MOD AGAIN DENIED THAT CROATIAN UNITS
ARE FIGHTING IN BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA. VP MESIC CALLED
ON HDZ CROATS IN B-H TO COOPERATE WITH ALL POLITICAL
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01028 01 OF 03 231446Z
PARTIES. THE PAKRAC COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS RETURNED
TO ITS SEAT AFTER A NINE MONTH EXILE. DUBROVNIK AND
SURROUNDING REGIONS WERE SHELLED OVER THE WEEKEND.
SLOVENIAN RTV DIRECTOR RESIGNED AFTER COMPLAINING OF
POLITICAL INTERFERENCE. END SUMMARY.

OSIJEK MAYOR KRAMARIC THREATENS RESIGNATION
-------------------------------------------

2. THE YOUNG AND DYNAMIC MAYOR OF THE EMBATTLED
CROATIAN TOWN OF OSIJEK, ZLATKO KRAMARIC, COMPLAINED
TO A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT THE LOCAL MILITARY POLICE
ARE FAILING TO CRACK DOWN ON CRIMINAL ELEMENTS WHO
HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY INTO THE ARMY. HE CITED A
RECENT CAR BOMBING WHICH KILLED A YOUNG CROAT MAN AS
THE MOST RECENT EXAMPLE OF A GROWING LAWLESS TREND IN
THE TOWN. HE SAID THAT IF THE MILITARY POLICE WILL
NOT PREVENT CRIMES CARRIED OUT BY ARMED RENEGADES
DRESSED IN UNIFORMS, HE WILL BE OBLIGED TO SUBMIT HIS
RESIGNATION. KRAMARIC HAD ASKED SEVERAL TIMES THAT
THE MILITARY POLICE AND MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR, SO
FAR WITHOUT RESULT, GET RID OF THOSE CRIMINALS WHO
ARE BURNING HOUSES, SHOPS, AND CARS. ACCORDING TO
THE MAYOR, THE ARMED FORCES DID NOT DO ENOUGH TO
PREVENT THE RECRUITMENT OF PEOPLE WITH AN UNSAVORY
BACKGROUND, AND THESE PERSONS NOW TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
THEIR UNIFORMS AND WEAPONS TO CARRY OUT CRIMINAL
ACTS.
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CROATIAN MOD DENIES ITS UNITS ARE IN B-H
----------------------------------------
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01028 01 OF 03 231446Z

3. THE CROATIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE HAS ISSUED
ANOTHER DENIAL THAT ITS UNITS ARE ENGAGED IN
BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA. THE MOD NOTED, AS IT HAS
PREVIOUSLY, THAT A NUMBER OF DEMOBILIZED MEMBERS OF

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PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01028 02 OF 03 231447Z
ACTION EUR-01

INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CEA-01 CIAE-00 PFIP-01 CTME-00
C-01 DODE-00 ITCE-00 CISA-02 DS-00 EAP-01 EB-01
EXME-00 E-01 FRB-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01
IO-19 ITC-01 JUSE-00 LAB-04 L-03 ADS-00 NEA-01
NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-08 PA-02 PM-01 PRS-01
P-01 RP-10 SCT-03 SIL-01 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 STR-20 T-01 /106W
------------------42181E 231448Z /38
O 221444Z JUN 92
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1214
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 1673
USDOC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BEIJING
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY KIEV
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01028 02 OF 03 231447Z
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 0554
USMISSION GENEVA
DEPTTREASURY WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 ZAGREB 01028

SIPDIS

VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
-
DEPT PASS TO AID FOR EUR/RME AND FHA/OFDA/DRD
-
E.O. 12356:N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN PHUM MOPS EC PREL ECON EFIN PHUM MOPS EC PREL ECON EFIN PHUM MOPS EC HR
SUBJECT: ZAGREB UPDATE: JUNE 23, 1992

THE CROATIAN ARMY WHO ARE CITIZENS OF B-H HAD
RETURNED TO DEFEND THEIR HOMETOWNS. THE MINISTRY
INVITED INTERESTED JOURNALISTS TO INVESTIGATE THIS
MATTER WITH THE MINISTRY'S ASSISTANCE. LOCAL
SOURCES CLAIM THAT SOME, BUT NOT NECESSARILY ALL, OF
THE CONFUSION REVOLVES AROUND ARM PATCH
IDENTIFICATIONS. IN CROATIAN, THE MILITARY PATCHES
CARRY AN "HV" FOR "HRVATSKA VOJSKA" (CROATIAN ARMY).
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01028 02 OF 03 231447Z
SOME B-H UNITS COMPOSED OF CROATIAN NATIONALITY
DEFENDERS CARRY ARMS PATCHES "HVO," WHICH IS
"HRVATSKO VIJECE OBRANE" (CROATIAN DEFENSE COUNCIL).
SIGHTINGS OF THESE PATCHES ON THE B-H FRONT, OR
PERHAPS EVEN ON DEMOBILIZED FORMER-HV BOSNIAN
SOLDIERS WHO KEPT THEIR ORIGINAL "HV" PATCHES FOR
PERSONAL REASONS, GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT CROATIAN
ARMY UNITS ARE PRESENT IN STRENGTH IN
BOSNIA-HERCEGOVNIA.

MESIC IN LJUBUSKI CALLS FOR CROAT/B-H COOPERATION
--------------------------------------------- ----

4. STIPE MESIC, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
OF THE RULING HDZ (CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION), WHICH
INCLUDES "OFF-SHORE" BRANCHES, VISITED LJUBUSKI
(HERCEGOVINA) TO DISCUSS THE RELATIONSHIP OF HDZ TO
OTHER PARTIES IN B-H. MESIC CALLED ON THE HDZ TO
IMPROVE ITS EFFORTS TO WORK WITH OTHER POLITICAL
GROUPS IN THE COUNTRY. HE LAMENTED THE RECENT ARMED
CLASH BEWTEEN THE "HVO" (CROATIAN DEFENSE COUNCIL)
UNITS AND THE "TO" (B-H TERRITORIAL DEFENSE) UNITS
WHICH RESULTED IN TEN INJURED. MESIC ALSO STOPPED IN
MEDJUGORJE WHERE HE MET WITH AMERICAN AND FRENCH
PILGRIMS WHO WERE AT THE CATHOLIC SHRINE TO CELEBRATE
THE ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPEARANCE OF THE
HOLY VIRGIN.
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LIFE RETURNS TO PAKRAC
----------------------

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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01028 02 OF 03 231447Z
5. ON JUNE 23, THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE POR
PAKRAC COUNTY (UNPROPOR SECTOR WEST) RETURNED TO THE
TOWN APTER NINE MONTHS OF EXILE. THIS IS THE FIRST
STEP IN THE RETURN OP REFUGEES TO THE TWELVE TOWNS
AND VILLAGES IN THIS AREA. RESETTLEMENT WILL BE

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PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01028 03 OF 03 231449Z
ACTION EUR-01

INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CEA-01 CIAE-00 PFIP-01 CTME-00
C-01 DODE-00 ITCE-00 CISA-02 DS-00 EAP-01 EB-01
EXME-00 E-01 FRB-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01
IO-19 ITC-01 JUSE-00 LAB-04 L-03 ADS-00 NEA-01
NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-08 PA-02 PM-01 PRS-01
P-01 RP-10 SCT-03 SIL-01 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 STR-20 T-01 /106W
------------------421855 231450Z /38
O 221444Z JUN 92
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1215
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 1674
USDOC WASHDC
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BEIJING
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY KIEV
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01028 03 OF 03 231449Z
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USEC BRUSSELS
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 0555
USMISSION GENEVA
DEPTTREASURY WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 ZAGREB 01028

SIPDIS

VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
-
DEPT PASS TO AID FOR EUR/RME AND FHA/OFDA/DRD
-
E.O. 12356:N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN PHUM MOPS EC PREL ECON EFIN PHUM MOPS EC PREL ECON EFIN PHUM MOPS EC HR
SUBJECT: ZAGREB UPDATE: JUNE 23, 1992

NEITHER FAST NOR EASY. NEARLY 90 PERCENT OP THE
HOUSES ARE DESTROYED OR DAMAGED. ACCORDING TO
OFPICIAL SOURCES, SOME 1,500 INHABITANTS OP PAKRAC,
LIPIK AND PREKOPAKRA, HAVE ALREADY RETURNED ON THEIR
OWN. THE GLASS PACTORY IN PAKRAC HAS STARTED
PRODUCTION BUT AT A REDUCED CAPACITY BECAUSE OF WAR
DAMAGE. THE BOTTLING OP THE WELL KNOWN MINERAL WATER
"LIPICKI STUDENAC" WILL BE RESUMED AT THE BEGINNING
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01028 03 OF 03 231449Z
OP NEXT MONTH.

UPDATE ON DUBROVNIK
-------------------

6. ACCORDING TO THE ZAGREB PRESS, DURING THE WEEKEND
JNA/SERB SHELLING RESULTED IN SIGNIPICANT DAMAGE TO
HISTORICAL BUILDINGS SUCH AS THE CHURCHES OP ST.
JOSEPH AND ST. VLAHO, THE ORTHODOX CHURCH, AS WELL AS
THE FRANCISCAN AND DOMINICAN MONASTERIES, PALACE
SPONZA, THE MUSICAL SCHOOL, AND MANY HOUSES ON
STRADUN (THE OLDEST STREET IN DUBROVNIK). EXPLOSIVES
PELL ALSO ON OTHER PARTS OP DUBROVNIK, PLOCE AND
PILE. THE MAYOR'S ASSISTANT IN DUBROVNIK ON JUNE 23,
TOLD US THAT JNA/SERB PORCES SHELLED THE OUTSKIRTS OF
DUBROVNIK, RIJEKA DUBROVACKA, AND MOKOSICA ON JUNE
22. ACCORDING TO HIS INFORMATION, IT WAS QUIET THIS
MORNING IN THE DUBROVNIK AREA.

SLOVENIAN RTV DIRECTOR RESIGNED
-------------------------------

7. ON JUNE 19, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE SLOVENIAN
RADIO AND TV, JANEZ JEROVSEK, SUBMITTED HIS
RESIGNATION. ACCORDING TO JEROVSEK, THE INFLUENCE OF
"THE LEADING PARTY" (PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK'S
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS) ON TV AND RADIO IS SO STRONG THAT
IT RENDERS "IMPOSSIBLE" REGULAR WORK. HE ACCUSED
DRNOVSEK'S LIBERAL DEMOCRATS OF USING THE MASS MEDIA
TO START THEIR RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN. RTV COUNCIL
MEMBER, PAVLE GANTAR, COUNTERED THAT JEROVSEK'S
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01028 03 OF 03 231449Z
ACCUSATION OF POLITICAL INTERFERENCE WAS RAISED IN
ORDER TO HIDE THE ACTUAL ECONOMIC AND ORGANIZATIONAL
DIFFICULTIES OF SLOVENIAN TV. EINIK

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