US embassy cable - 04ZAGREB533

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000533 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/29/2014 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, PGOV, OPDC, ETTC, KSTC, HR, LY 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS PRESIDENT MESIC CONCERNING REFIT 
OF LIBYAN SHIP 
 
REF: A. (A) STATE 67335 
     B. (B) STATE 68238 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: NICHOLAS M. HILL, POLECON COUNSELOR, FOR 
REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D) 
 
1.   (C) ON MARCH 27, THE AMBASSADOR PASSED TO PRESIDENT 
MESIC REFTEL A POINTS CONCERNING REFIT OF THE LIBYAN VESSEL, 
    "AL-MUNIJED," AND DCM FOLLOWED UP WITH MFA OFFICIALS ON MARCH 
29.  THE AMBASSADOR TOLD MESIC THAT THE U.S. HAD DECIDED NOT 
TO OBJECT TO THE REFIT OF THE "AL-MUNIJED" PROVIDED THE REFIT 
DID NOT INVOLVE ANY LETHAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT.  THE DECISION 
DID NOT APPLY IN BLANKET FASHION TO OTHER LIBYAN VESSELS THE 
CROATIANS CONTEMPLATED REFITTING OR CONSTRUCTING.  THE 
AMBASSADOR NOTED THAT LIBYA HAD MADE DRAMATIC PROGRESS IN 
FULFILLING ITS NONPROLIFERATION COMMITMENTS, BUT EMPHASIZED 
THAT U.S. SANCTIONS WERE STILL IN PLACE. 
 
2.   (C) MESIC WAS CLEARLY PLEASED WITH THE DECISION.  IT 
WOULD BE WELCOME NEWS FOR THE FINANCIALLY-STRAPPED RIJEKA 
SHIPYARD SLATED TO GET THE CONTRACT.  MESIC ASKED IF HE COULD 
ANNOUNCE THE DECISION TO THE PRESS.  THE AMBASSADOR ASKED HIM 
TO WITHHOLD THE INFORMATION UNTIL THE U.S. HAD INFORMED OTHER 
CONCERNED GOVERNMENTS OF THE DECISION. 
 
3.   (C) FOLLOWING UP, THE DCM TALKED TO ASSISTANT FOREIGN 
MINISTER MARGETA AND CHIEF FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR TO 
PRESIDENT MESIC, IVICA MASTRUKO, ON MARCH 29 REGARDING THE 
DECISION.  THE DCM TOLD MASTRUKO THAT OTHER GOVERNMENTS WERE 
BEING INFORMED AND THAT THE U.S. WOULD NOT OBJECT TO AN 
APPROPRIATE ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING THE "AL-MUNIJED."  AT THE 
MFA, DCM STRESSED THAT THE U.S. DECISION APPLIED ONLY TO THE 
WORKED ON THE AL-MUNIJED."  AT THE MOD, DAO ON MARCH 29 
INFORMED COLONEL ZELJKO CEPANAC, ACTING ASSISTANT MINISTER 
FOR POLICY.  ALL WERE PLEASED WITH THE DECISION AND HOPEFUL 
THAT IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS WITH LIBYA WOULD CONTINUE. 
FRANK 
 
 

 
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