VZCZCXRO5673
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHVB #1089 3531334
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191334Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8433
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ZAGREB 001089
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/PPD, EUR/RPM AND EUR/ERA
OSD FOR WINTERNITZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR
SUBJECT: ZAGREB WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - DECEMBER 19, 2007
1. (U) RETURN TO SENDER - CROATIA PROTESTS ITALIAN STAMP:
On 12 December 2007 the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and European Integration sent a letter of protest to the
Italian Republic over the issuance of a postage stamp. The
stamp, issued by the Italian Post Office, depicts the
Croatian city of Rijeka with the caption "Rijeka - Eastern
Land That Was Italian" (Fiume - terra orientale gia'
italiana). This is the second demarche issued by the
Ministry. The first was sent in October 2007 when the GOC
initially learned about the intention to publish the stamp.
According to the Croatian Foreign Ministry's website, it was
understood at that time the relevant Italian bodies would
give up on the public presentation and publishing of the
stamp. FM Kitarovic told the Ambassador the Croatian
government was "outraged" by the stamp, and asked
rhetorically what the European reaction would be if Croatia
issued a stamp alluding to territorial claims in neighboring
countries. The GoC believes the Italians are not only
issuing the Rijeka stamp, but also are considering similar
stamps featuring another Croatian coastal town, and the
Slovenian port of Koper. Croatia has called on the Italian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform once again all parties
about Croatia's position and take appropriate measures to
prevent further distribution of the stamp. (CRhoton)
2. (U) US COAST GUARD TEAM OBSERVES PORT SECURITY
IMPROVEMENTS:
Officials from the US Coast Guard's International Port
Security Program visited Croatia December 10-15 to observe
port security measures at the Ploce, Dubrovnik, and Rijeka
ports. The team determined that Croatia has substantially
implemented the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS)
Code. Throughout the visit the team observed progress toward
achieving the many plans for security improvement noted in
the 2006 US Coast Guard Maritime Needs Assessment. They also
observed good cooperation and coordination among various
agencies in the ports, including maritime police, customs,
and port authorities. The team's suggestions for further
improvements included improved signage on the waterside of
facilities to mark restricted areas, better maintenance of
perimeter fencing, and providing security plan awareness
training to port workers without security duties. (SLitke)
BRADTKE