US embassy cable - 05ZAGREB1121

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001121 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR, PGOV, HR, Defense Reform (Mil & NATO) 
SUBJECT: GOC MISJUDGES PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY IN JULY 1 
VOTE ON BILATERAL MILITARY EXERCISES 
 
1. (SBU) The GoC missed a constitutionally-required two- 
thirds majority in the Sabor by one vote July 1 when the 
Defense Ministry's request for approval of a number of 
upcoming international military exercises came to the 
agenda.  Lack of approval means an exercise planned for 
September 2005 (Adriatic Sword) is likely to be cancelled 
unless the MoD can find a way to work around the Sabor 
vote.  Under parliamentary rules, the issue cannot return 
to the Sabor agenda for 90 days.  The vote also means that 
the GoC will not/not participate in the "Adriatic 
Engagement" exercise with its Adriatic Charter partners 
Macedonia and Albania, scheduled to start July 11. 
 
2. (SBU) All signs pointed to approval as late as the night 
before the vote, but a GoC failure to physically round up 
the required number of supportive MPs, rather than any 
specific organized opposition to bilateral exercises, led 
to the defeat.  The major opposition Social Democrats in 
fact supported the measure.  According to press reports, 
some MOD sources put the best face on the lost vote by 
calling it a strong indicator that the constitutional 
provision requiring a super majority should be changed. 
With the traditional summer shut-down fast approaching and 
only one more week of the Sabor's session, resolution of 
this unforeseen mess is unlikely to come before September. 
 
FRANK 
 
 
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