VZCZCXRO2166
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHVB #0113 0551401
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241401Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9927
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000113
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL HR
SUBJECT: Zagreb Daily Report - February 24, 2010
1. (U) Serbian Parliamentary Delegation Continues Visit; President
Josipovic Sees Better Relations Ahead:
On February 23, the Serbian Parliament's Croatia Friendship Group
continued its visit to Zagreb, holding meetings with Sabor Speaker
Luka Bebic, Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic and President Ivo
Josipovic. Speaking to the press afterwards, Josipovic said the
visit represented "a positive trend, as against everything opposite
in the previous months." He added that "while there has been no
concrete agreement on a meeting" between him and Serbian President
Tadic yet, he expected a meeting to be held in the near future.
Curiously, Post saw no coverage in the Croatian media of the Serbian
Embassy's statement reported in today's Belgrade Highlights,
obliquely upbraiding Josipovic for "insults" to Serbia for his
interview earlier this week in which he termed Tadic's decision not
to attend his inauguration on February 18 as "irrational."
2. (U) Croatia Airlines Cabin Crews Begin Strike:
A strike of Croatia Airlines cabin crews is scheduled to begin
February 26 and has already forced Croatia Airlines to preemptively
cancel many flights. The airline is attempting to keep its main
international routes going, but the duration and potential impact of
the strike remain unknown. The state-owned carrier has had serious
financial difficulties recently and some observers have speculated
that a lengthy strike could put the future of the company in
question. See Zagreb 110 for more details.
FOLEY