US embassy cable - 04ZAGREB1846

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001846 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC-BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR 
VIENNA FOR DHS - FLANAGAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC, KOMC, HR, Defense Reform (Mil & NATO) 
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN UPDATE FOR CROATIA 
 
REF: STATE 205022 
 
1.  Embassy Zagreb's principal Blue Lantern contact is 
Pol-Mil Officer Justin Friedman, tel 385-1-661-2341, fax 
385-1-661-2178, email: friedmanj@state.gov.  Friedman is 
expected to depart post in July 2006. 
 
2.  Embassy Zagreb uses a team approach for its Blue Lantern 
checks.  Oversight of the Blue Lantern process is carried out 
by the DCM.  Post's Defense Attache Office and Office of 
Defense Cooperation actively participate in Blue Lantern 
checks, as does the FCS office, when appropriate.  DHS 
provides regional coverage out of Vienna.  Post has a record 
of carrying out Blue Lantern checks within thirty days after 
receipt. 
 
3.  The environment in which post implements the Blue Lantern 
Program continues to improve.  As a serious aspirant for an 
invitation to join NATO, the GoC has continued to improve 
official controls over the trade in weapons and munitions. 
Croatia is seeking membership in most of the formal major 
arms control mechanisms (MTCR, Waasenaar) while establishing 
interagency mechanisms to improve internal coordination and 
control over arms sales.  Post's Office of Defense 
Cooperation maintains active relationships with most 
potential recipients of U.S. ) origin defense articles and 
services sold commercially.  Legitimate dealers and several 
of Croatia's arms manufacturers have entered into cooperative 
commercial relationships with U.S. firms and are eager to 
cooperate with Blue Lantern checks. 
 
DELAWIE 
 
 
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