US embassy cable - 05ZAGREB646

UNCLAS  ZAGREB 000646 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR PRM: TTARGOS 
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE: JMITCHELL 
BELGRADE FOR DSALAZAR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, HR, Refugee 
SUBJECT: Nominations for Ambassador's Refugee Fund 2005 
 
REF: STATE 27113 
 
1. Post is pleased to submit project proposals for PRM's Ambassador 
Refugee Fund.  Projects were identified in consultation with UNHCR 
and others.  Post is submitting a third project in the event that 
additional funding is available. 
 
GRADAC COLLECTIVE CENTER KINDERGARTEN (USD 5000) 
 
2. Background: For 2005, the GOC is implementing a "rationalization 
plan" for its refugee collective centers to reduce the number of 
centers around the country and centralize the inhabitants.  Gradac 
Collective Center (GCC) will grow to more than 100 residents this 
year, making it the biggest refugee facility in the region. 
 
Location Profile: Gradac is a small coastal village with 
approximately 2000 inhabitants.  Residents at GCC will be 
predominately Bosnian Croat although some will be Bosniak, (exact 
figures are not yet known). 
 
Recipient: Mi Split has successfully run a kindergarten in CC 
Split. 
 
Project: GCC currently has no kindergarten, nor are children 
eligible to attend local schools or educational programs.  Social 
workers have commented on the need in collective centers for 
activities encouraging socialization and development of 
interpersonal relations. 
 
Use of Funds: Room repairs, purchase of chairs, tables and didactic 
materials.  Funds would also support a teacher's salary for a few 
hours daily for 12 months.  GOC's Office for Displaced Persons and 
Refugees has agreed to allow the kindergarten to operate in the 
facility. 
 
Public Diplomacy: The project is a good public diplomacy 
opportunity to demonstrate USG support for refugees of all 
ethnicities. 
 
PLASKI COMMUNITY LIBRARY (USD 5000) 
 
3. Background: Plaski receives no significant funding from the GOC 
and remains a severely economically-depressed area.  In the 
municipality of 2300 residents, there are only about 100 jobs; the 
majority of residents are unemployed. 
 
Location Profile: Before the war Plaski was an ethnic Serb village 
of 4,000, although most left by the end of the conflict.  Today the 
village of 2300 residents is equally divided between ethnic Serb 
returnees and mostly Bosnian Croat settlers.  Relations between two 
ethnic communities have been tense since the war although there 
have been no significant conflicts.  Recently the town made 
headlines when the local administration considered changing some 
street names honoring the Homeland War to Serb historical figures. 
 
Recipient: Post would work directly with the library. 
 
Project: In 2003, Plaski opened a small library/reading room with 
funding from the Ministry of Culture and the municipality. 
According to the Ministry, the library is one of the country's 
neediest, owning only 2945 titles.  The library would like to 
create an exhibit space to attract and inform users about authors 
and their works, organize community activities, lectures, and 
readings. 
 
Use of Funds: Two computers and printers (for public use and 
internet access), shelving for books and display items, and books. 
Post would purchase a combination of American authors and required 
school books. 
 
Public Diplomacy: The project is an excellent opportunity to 
highlight USG's support for interethnic tolerance, cooperation, and 
community-building. 
 
IF ADDITIONAL FUNDS EXIST: DONJI LAPAC PLAYROOM (USD 5000) 
 
4. Background: The entire municipality of Lapac (354 square km, 
2,300 inhabitants) previously had no functioning kindergartens 
until the Red Cross and Red Crescent established a playroom in 
2003.  The playroom is situated in a reconstructed building that 
was a destroyed high school.  In 2004, the Norwegian Refugee 
Council (NRC) financed the playroom but will discontinue funding in 
June 2005 for financial reasons.  The playroom has proven able to 
fill the gap of a proper kindergarten. 
 
Location Profile: Before the war, Donji Lapac was about 95% ethnic 
Serb.  Most residents left during the conflict and the region was 
severely destroyed.  The region is now a mixed community: an 
estimated 75% of the population is ethnic Serb while the remaining 
25% is ethnic Croat (mostly Bosnian Croat settlers) 
 
Recipient: Croatian Red Cross' branch office would supervise. 
 
Project: As no kindergarten or playroom facility exists in the 
region, this facility serves as a valuable resource for the 
community.  Currently 34 children are enrolled - 20 Croats (from 
settler families) and 14 Serbs (from returnee families).  The 
playroom ethnic breakdown is the opposite to that of the ethnic 
structure in the Lapac municipality due to the fact that most Serb 
returnees are elderly and Bosnian Croat residents are usually young 
families. 
 
Use of Funds: Funds would cover a teacher's salary to work part- 
time (four hours daily), including pension and health 
contributions.  The current teacher is a social worker and has 
received praise from previous donors.  The municipality pays for 
utility costs. 
 
Public Diplomacy: Post would highlight its support for an 
underdeveloped, war-affected region. 
 
Frank 
 
 
NNNN