VZCZCXRO3670
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHVB #0113 0521214
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211214Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8586
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000113
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
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 - FEBRUARY 20, 2008
1. (U) CROATIAN MILITARY BECOMES AN ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE:
February 19, 2008, saw the last conscripts in the Croatian
military depart their barracks for the final time. With the
end of this cohorts' tour of duty, the Croatian military no
longer has any conscripted personnel. New soldiers entering
on duty will be the first members of Croatia's all-volunteer
force. This marks a significant step in Croatia's efforts to
modernize and professionalize its military service. In 2007,
the Croatian military saw its long-term plans to end
conscription accelerated, with the Croatian parliament voting
to suspend conscription as of January 1, 2008. (CRhoton)
2. (U) DOJ OFFICIALS MEET WITH CROATIAN COUNTERPARTS TO
DISCUSS EXTRADITION:
Department of Justice Senior Trial Attorneys Michael Dittoe
and Teresa McHenry visited Zagreb last week for discussions
with their Croatian counterparts on the issue of extradition.
Over the course of two days of technical discussions with
officials from the Ministry of Justice and Office of the
State Prosecutor, the DOJ officials were able to establish
which pending Croatian extradition requests, some dating back
as far as 2003, could, with additional information, result in
successful extraditions in U.S. courts. Beyond the specific
cases reviewed, the discussions greatly enhanced each sides'
understanding of the others' legal system, leading to an
agreement by the Croatian MOJ to revise its standards for
making extradition requests to the U.S. to maximize the
possibility of success in U.S. courts. (RElvikis)
3. (U) FBI/SECI HOSTS REGIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME CONFERENCE
Bringing together about 40 police officers from around the
region, the FBI hosted a week-long seminar near Zagreb on
fighting organized crime. Presenters impressed upon
colleagues the importance of regional cooperation and
communication in suppressing organized crime, emphasizing
that organized crime knows no borders and easily flows via
the "Balkan Route." The seminar covered topics such as the
'enterprise theory' of investigations, cyber crime, the use
of informants and of undercover agents. The SECI Center was
discussed as a tool for enhanced communication between police
to more fluidly respond to both tips and requests for
information. Participants were organized crime specialists
from Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, and Croatia.
(KSelinger)
Bradtke