US embassy cable - 04ZAGREB562

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000562 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR L/PM (MITCHELL) AND EUR/RPM (SEIDENSTRUCKER) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR, PREL, KTIA, HR, Defense Reform (Mil & NATO) 
SUBJECT: CROATIA: "EXPECT PROGRESS SOON" ON BILAT 
SUPPLEMENTARY AGREEMENT TO PFP SOFA 

REF: STATE 70858 
 
1.  (SBU) AS INSTRUCTED BY REFTEL, ON MARCH 31 AND APRIL 1, 
WE AGAIN PRESSED RELEVANT MFA AND MOD OFFICIALS FOR A 
RESPONSE TO OUR REQUEST TO NEGOTIATE A BILATERAL SUPPLEMENTAL 
AGREEMENT TO THE PFP SOFA. 
 
2.  (SBU) ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER PJER SIMUNOVIC ASSERTED 
THAT THE SANADER GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN NEGOTIATION OF AN 
AGREEMENT A HIGH PRIORITY, BUT ADMITTED THAT THE GOC'S ANSWER 
IS OVERDUE. 
 
3.  (SBU) MFA EXPERTS ADMITTED THAT THE DRAFT AGREEMENT 
LANGUISHED DURING THE CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT AND THAT THE 
POLITICALLY SENSITIVE LANGUAGE IN ARTICLE V OF THE DRAFT TEXT 
(SIMILAR TO AN "ARTICLE 98" AGREEMENT) HAS MADE IT A HOT 
POTATO.  THE GOC HAS NOT EVEN AGREED WHETHER THE MFA OR THE 
MOD WILL HAVE THE LEAD IN NEGOTIATIONS.  THANKS TO OUR 
REPEATED ENGAGEMENT, THE GOC HAS FORMED AN INTERAGENCY 
WORKING GROUP AND HAS SET A TIMETABLE FOR WORKING ON THE 
AGREEMENT.  THE WORKING GROUP WILL MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 
APRIL 5.  BY THE END OF APRIL, THE GOC EXPECTS TO PRESENT TO 
THE EMBASSY ITS AREAS OF CONCERN.  DURING UPCOMING BILATERAL 
DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS (NOW SLATED FOR WASHINGTON ON MAY 11), 
THE GOC WOULD BE PREPARED TO HAVE A FIRST FORMAL "DISCUSSION" 
ON THE AGREEMENT, FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY A FINAL 
NEGOTIATING SESSION. 
FRANK 
 
 

 
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