VZCZCXRO0975
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHVB #0008 0051348
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051348Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9785
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000008
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR
SUBJECT: ZAGREB DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT: JANUARY 5, 2010
1. (U) FORMER PM SANADER'S PARTY MEMBERSHIP REVOKED: In
response to former Prime Minister Sanader's January 4
decision to return to active politics and in view of his
criticism of the leadership of the Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ), PM Kosor announced on January 5 that the party had
revoked his membership. The move, which came after an
extraordinary meeting of the HDZ presidency, reportedly
cannot be appealed. Kosor stressed that in addition to
creating discord in the HDZ, Sanader's maneuver had
threatened the stability of the government coalition and
therefore required sanction. Sanader told the press that he
accepted the party's decision "if it is to the benefit of
HDZ." The decision received wide support within the party,
the cabinet, and among coalition members. Recent polls
indicate that the move also enjoyed strong popular backing.
Following the ten hour session with the HDZ presidency, PM
Kosor postponed meeting with the HDZ's coalition partners
until January 5 and instead met with Interior Minister
Vojislav Karamarko and Chief State Attorney Mladen Bajic.
Some in the press interpreted the meeting as a strong signal
that the GoC would continue to forge ahead with its
anti-corruption campaign regardless of where it led, although
Karamarko and Bajic did not make public statements following
the meeting. In response to these developments, the
opposition called for early party elections. However,
President Mesic came out against the idea and furthermore
expressed support for Sanader's expulsion from the HDZ. More
details to follow septel.
WALKER