WikiLeaks document compares Sanader and Kosor

The current Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor lacks foreign policy experience and does not speak foreign languages, or so says the the opinion of an American diplomat in one of the U.S. government's dispatches published on the internet by WikiLeaks.The dispatch – sent in the wake of former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader's announcement that he would step down from the position – says that Kosor does not have enough experience with foreign policy. She lacks strong relations in European politics and she does not speak foreign languages, the report details.The American embassy's document tries to analyse the power relations in the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the people that could emerge as key players in the country' foreign policy, especially in relation to the U.S.A.This is the first WikiLeaks document that had been put together during the mandate of the current ambassador, James Foley.The document goes on to describe Ivo Sanader, whom analysts see as someone who has been able to clearly formulate Croatian foreign policy without too much instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is seen as having an excellent command of English, Italian and German languages and is said to have often implemented Croatian policy through "personal meetings with European leaders, especially those that belong to the center and right parties."In contrast, although Kosor has some experience with foreign policy, she is seen to be lacking in a stronger background. She does not have the same contacts as Sanader and she does not use foreign languages.The dispatch concludes that this turnaround would give the Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Jandrokovic more influence when it comes to key political questions of importance to the American government – for example, the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia."While the party, after Sanader's departure, has turned more to the right, Jandrokovic is a representative of the younger, more moderate wing of the Croatian Democratic Union," the support of which would be in the interest of the United States, the report continues.Another development noted in the dispatch was the replacement of the Ministry's state secretary Bianca Matkovic with Davor Bozinovic. Matkovic was described as Sanader's close ally and his "enforcer," who had kept the Ministry under strong surveillance.Her replacement with Bozinic indicates that Jandrokovic has received a free reign from Kosor, especially when it comes to appointments.The reports concludes that both Jandrokovic and Bozinic could become the key players in the country's foreign diplomacy, the daily Jutarnji List writes.

Source: Croatian Times Online News