US embassy cable - 04ZAGREB1022

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 001022 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RPM (RUSSELL) AND EUR/SCE (ENGLISH) 
USNATO FOR BRUCE ROGERS AND JIM DEHART 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2004 
TAGS: PREL, HR, Defense Reform (Mil & NATO) 
SUBJECT: ADRIATIC CHARTER LEADERS SEEK PRESIDENT BUSH'S 
PARTICIPATION IN ISTANBUL MEETING 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: DCM PATRICK S. MOON FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) 
 
    1.  (C) AT A JUNE 4 MEETING WITH THE DCM, PRESIDENT MESIC'S 
CHIEF OF STAFF DAVOR BOZINOVIC INFORMED US THAT MESIC PLANS 
TO ATTEND A MEETING OF LEADERS OF THE ADRIATIC CHARTER ON THE 
MARGINS OF NATO'S ISTANBUL SUMMIT.  BOZINOVIC SAID THAT THE 
"ADRIATIC THREE" LEADERS HAVE ASKED IF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE 
FOR PRESIDENT BUSH TO ATTEND PART OF SUCH A MEETING; 
BOZINOVIC SAID THAT THIS REQUEST WAS CONVEYED TO USNATO, BUT 
HAD NO DETAILS ABOUT HOW IT WAS DELIVERED. 
 
2.  (C) ON JUNE 5, PJER SIMUNOVIC, CROATIA'S MAP COORDINATOR 
CONFIRMED THAT A MEETING OF THE ADRIATIC THREE WOULD TAKE 
PLACE.  THE DECISION TO SEEK PRESIDENT BUSH'S PARTICIPATION 
WAS AGREED BY THE ALBANIAN, CROATIAN AND MACEDONIAN FOREIGN 
MINISTERS DURING THE MAY 19 - 20 ADRIATIC PARTNERSHIP 
COMMISSION MEETING IN SKOPJE.  SIMUNOVIC UNDERSCORED MESIC'S 
REQUEST FOR PRESIDENT BUSH'S INVOLVEMENT.  IN ADDITION TO THE 
SUBSTANTIVE VALUE OF A MEETING, PRESIDENT BUSH'S PRESTIGE 
WOULD HELP BOOST PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR NATO IN CROATIA, 
SIMUNOVIC SAID. 
 
COMMENT 
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3.  (C) WHILE WE RECOGNIZE THE EXTRAORDINARY DEMANDS ON THE 
PRESIDENT'S TIME, SUCH A SIGNAL OF SUPPORT FOR NATO'S THREE 
"CONTINUING ASPIRANTS" WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL, PARTICULARLY IN 
MAINTAINING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE TOUGH REFORMS NEEDED TO 
QUALIFY FOR AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE.  IT WOULD 
ALSO UNDERSCORE U.S. SUPPORT FOR THE ADRIATIC CHARTER. 
FRANK 
 

 
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