Cablegate: Goc Proposes Psi Exercise

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UNCLAS ZAGREB 01414

SIPDIS
R 280557Z NOV 06

FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6975
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001414

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL PHSA EWWT PBTS HR
SUBJECT: GOC PROPOSES PSI EXERCISE

1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4.

2. (SBU) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: Head of MFA's Department for
International Security Sanja Bujas Juraga presented PolOff and EXBS
advisor with a non-paper on November 16 describing a GoC offer to
host a regional WMD-response exercise under the Proliferation
Security Initiative (PSI). The GoC seeks USG guidance and political
support for this exercise that will contribute to regional security.
Post wishes to extend maximum USG support to this initiative and
recommends a tabletop exercise of realistic scope and timing given
other PSI activities already scheduled in the region. Full text of
the non-paper follows in para 5. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT.

3. (SBU) According to Juraga, this new initiative is in direct
response to:
- FM Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic's conversations with Secretary Rice
during the PM's October visit to Washington,
- a November OSCE/US workshop in Vienna on implementation of UNSCR
1540, and
- a conversation between Milena Zaninovic, head of the International
Security Department's Nonproliferation Section, and CDR John Kroft
of T/ISN/CPI on the margins of the "Amber Sunrise" exercise in
Poland in September.
The GoC is anxious to contribute more to PSI activities, as noted in
the non-paper, both as a key partner on the so-called "Balkan route"
and as the only country in the region to sign a shipboarding
agreement with the US. The GoC has proposed the Regional Arms
Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Center (RACVIAC)
facilities in Zagreb as an exercise venue.

4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department guidance in
responding to the GoC proposal. We understand from informal
communication with T/ISN/CPI/Kroft that Slovenia is planning a PSI
exercise for early to mid-2007, and we are prepared to ensure that
Croatia's efforts are coordinated and complementary and responsive
to PSI principles. Fostering active cooperation between Ljubljana
and Zagreb will be key to building an effective regional partnership
for peace and stability.

5. (U) NON-PAPER TEXT:
Non paper on the proposed PSI Exercise in the Republic of Croatia

Non-proliferation of WMD, as well as of strategically sensitive dual
use goods, technology, equipment and their means of delivery is
Croatia's policy priority. Croatia considers efforts and activities
aimed at preventing the WMD proliferation crucial in the fight
against contemporary security threats, and in particular the threat
of terrorism and the risk of non-state actors, terrorist groups or
individuals acquiring WMD.

Croatia's non-proliferation of WMD policy goal is pursued through
strengthening national implementation and enforcement of respective
policies and obligations, as well as through actively participating
in non-proliferation activities at the regional, multilateral and
international levels. Special attention is paid to effective
implementation of international obligations under the existing
formal international non-proliferation treaties and obligations
within the informal non-proliferation regimes.

Croatia considers international exercises and workshops crucial not
only to establish network of allied countries which will cooperate
effectively in respond to WMD threat, but to identify necessities
for further improvement of national legislation and law enforcement
capacities.

With this in mind, Croatia appreciates OSCE efforts and considers
Workshop on the Implementation of UNSC Res 1540 (2004), which took
place on November 8, 2006 and was cosponsored by U.S., significant
in respond to WMD threats.

In its support for the efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD
the Republic of Croatia has welcomed the activities of the
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Croatia is ready to more
actively contribute to its activities. One of the possibilities
under intensive consideration is the organization of a PSI exercise.
Objectives are to improve international cooperation in order to
prepare for interagency and international response to a WMD
incident.

Under consideration is the venue of PSI exercise. Due to its
special geographic position Croatia is particularly aware of the
dangers of WMD proliferation. The Republic of Croatia contributes
to strengthening stabilization and democratization of the
Southeastern Europe actively participating in RACVIAC. Additional
engagement in this field could be made by organizing PSI exercise in
RACVIAC in Zagreb. END NON-PAPER TEXT.

BRADTKE

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