VZCZCXYZ0007
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHVB #0035 0151233
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 151233Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9829
INFO RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000035
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON HR
SUBJECT: ZAGREB DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT: JANUARY 15, 2010
1. (U) INAUGURATION FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT JOSIPOVIC TO BE HELD
FEB 18: President-Elect of Croatia Dr. Ivo Josipovic's
inauguration will be held February 18 in Zagreb. According
to Dr. Mirando Mrsic, Josipovic's campaign director,
Josipovic is inviting the heads of state or government from
all European nations, the United States, Russia, China,
Canada and other important countries with whom Croatia has
friendly relations. Mrsic said that as of January 15 the
Presidents of Bulgaria and Austria had already confirmed, as
well as Ivo Komsic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He said they had
also received indications that the EU will be represented by
EC President Barroso, and that Russia might represented "at
the highest level."
2. (U) PM KOSOR ANNOUNCES ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE; NEW
WORLD BANK LOAN FOR CROATIA: Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor
announced on January 14 a set of measures to stimulate
private sector investment amounting to at least $2 billion
(10 billion kuna). The funds will come primarily from bank
liquidity freed up by the Croatian National Bank's lowering
of reserve requirements. In addition to direct lending for
companies through the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, the government will set up an investment
guarantee fund to mitigate private sector risks for banks.
Separately, the World Bank also announced on January 14 a new
200 million Euro loan program for Croatia designed to improve
Croatia's public administration, reduce its government wage
and pension bill, and stabilize the financial sector.
3. (U) CROATIA TO DONATE $200,000 FOR HAITI: The Croatian
government announced January 14 that it will give
approximately $200,000 (1 million kuna) for the victims of
the recent earthquake in Haiti. The GoC will donate the
funds through the Catholic relief organization Croatia
Caritas.
FOLEY