VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHVB #0699 3351353
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011353Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9689
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000699
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL HR
SUBJECT: CROATIA TO PROVIDE STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE
WAY FORWARD IN AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN
REF: A. A) STATE 122731
B. B) ZAGREB 690
1. (SBU) Ambassador Foley met with Foreign Minister
Jandrokovic on November 27 meeting to request additional
contributions in Afghanistan. As reported in reftel B,
Jandrokovic pledged that Croatia would endorse a unified
alliance statement in support of the U.S. plan at the
December 3-4 NATO Ministerial. Following his meeting with the
Foreign Minister, Ambassador Foley then met with Prime
Minister Kosor, who confirmed that Croatia will back the U.S.
publicly on the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan,
saying: "We will fulfill our obligations as a proud member of
NATO." Kosor also reaffirmed Foreign Minster Jandrokovic's
commitment to increase Croatia's 300 soldier ISAF contingent
by 5 percent (15 soldiers) but added that this increase could
not be made operational until after the upcoming presidential
election.
2. On the public diplomacy side, post will feature exclusive
national radio and print interviews with the Ambassador on
December 3 to amplify the President's remarks. Additionally,
post will put the President's speech on the Embassy website
and distribute language versions of the text to a targeted
contact base.
WALKER