Zagreb, Croatia August 2012 Volume 6 - Issue 1

A MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR JAMES B. FOLEY

G reetings from your American

Embassy in Zagreb! This will

be my last message to you as I am ap-

proaching the end of my three year

tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Croatia.

I am proud to say that during this pe-

riod relations between our countries

have continued to strengthen. Having achieved NATO membership in 2009 and slated to

join the EU in 2013, Croatia is on the verge of completing its integration into Euro-

Atlantic institutions. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and the United States views

Croatia as a model in the region. We value our security partnership and Croatia’s signifi-

cant contributions to our efforts to promote stability and prosperity in Southeast Europe

and around the world.

Croatia’s EU membership in July of 2013 will mark the culmination of an enormous

amount of hard work and reforms accomplished over the past decade, especially the on-

going fight against corruption. These efforts have paid off, and I am optimistic for Croatia

and the broader region’s future. Establishment of the rule of law is the foundation for

economic success. However, in order to achieve significant economic growth and a more

prosperous future, Croatia will still need to improve its business and investment climate. Many companies continue to ex-

perience a bureaucratic and unnecessarily difficult environment in which to pursue opportunities. Taking concrete steps to

streamline and improve the business environment will undoubtedly prove crucial to Croatia’s future economic well being.

That said, Croatian leaders are more aware now of the challenges in this area, and I truly believe that the climate can be im-

proved by implementing simple and achievable reforms.

In this respect, I am particularly excited about the establishment of the annual Brown Forum, a business symposium estab-

lished to honor the legacy of the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown and the others who perished in a tragic plane

crash in Dubrovnik on April 3, 1996. We have begun to institutionalize this forum with the Government of Croatia and the

Chamber of the Economy. This event should help strengthen economic ties between the United States and Croatia, and

among the region more broadly.

Finally, on behalf of my family and myself, I want to tell you how pre-

cious our time in Croatia has been. We have relished experiencing its

unique culture, history and way of life. We return to the United

States with a great love for Croatia and much that we have learned

from our Croatian friends. I hope you will welcome my successor,

Ambassador Kenneth Merten and his family, with open arms, in the

same way you welcomed me and my family when we arrived in 2009.

Ambassador James B. Foley presented

his credentials to President Mesić on

September 15, 2009. Ambassador

Foley is a career member of the U.S.

Foreign Service and has served in a

variety of positions for the Department

of State, including as Ambassador to

Haiti, and most recently as Coordina-

tor for Iraqi Refugee Issues.

“Croatia’s EU membership in July of 2013 will mark

the culmination of an enormous amount of hard work

and reforms accomplished over the past decade,

especially the ongoing fight against corruption.”

Ambassador Foley

Voting Information

2012 Brown Forum In Opatija

2-3

7th Annual Croatia Summit

U.S. Marshall Memorial Fellows Visit Embassy

6th Fleet Flagship visits Rijeka Shipyard

4-5

U, S. and Croatian Students Visit Embassy

American Citizen Outreach in Zadar

6

Consular Corner 7

Inside this issue:

Start to think about your participation in the U.S. 2012 election today! T h i n g s h a v e c h a n g e d . E v e n i f y o u h a v e r e g i s t e r e d b e -T h i n g s h a v e c h a n g e d . E v e n i f y o u h a v e r e g i s t e r e d b e -

f o r e , y o u m u s t r ef o r e , y o u m u s t r e -- r e g i s t e r t h i s y e a r !r e g i s t e r t h i s y e a r !

For current user-friendly voting information, including how to register, please go to: http://www.fvap.gov

Additional information is also available at the Embassy Zagreb’s voting information page at: http://zagreb.usembassy.gov/service/special-consular-

services/voting-information2.html

Register early to allow enough time for election officials to contact you and resolve any questions or problems with your registration/

ballot request.

Make sure to provide your e-mail address, if you have one, on the forms.

You can now ask your election official to provide your ballot electronically.

Please communicate directly with your state or local officials about voter eligibility, acceptability of voter registrations, and accept-

ability of voted ballots.

State/local election officials make the ultimate determinations; the Embassy does not handle these matters.

If you have additional questions after referring to the websites or need assistance in registering, please contact Zagreb Voting

Assistance - Consular Section at the American Embassy at voteZagreb@state.gov or if you do not have Internet access at (01) 661

-2276.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS

WHY THIS ELECTION IS IMPORTANT?

These offices will be decided by YOU – the voter in 2012.

The offices of U.S. President and Vice President

33 seats in the U.S. Senate and 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives

Governorships in 11 States and 2 U.S. territories

State and local offices, as well as Ballot questions and referenda

WHAT DIFFERENCE CAN IT MAKE? I’M ONLY 1 PERSON

Many recent races have been decided by a margin of victory of less

than 0.1%

2008 Minnesota U.S. Senate race was decided by 312 votes

2005 Virginia Attorney General race was decided by 323 votes

2004 Washington Governor race was decided by 133 votes

2000 U.S. Presidential election

- Florida Electoral Votes were decided by only 537 votes

- New Mexico Electoral Votes by 366 votes

Volume 6—Issue 1 Page 2

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE! YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

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T o mark the 16th anniversary of the trade mission led

by Secretary of Commerce Ronald Brown (which

ended in tragedy when the plane carrying the delegation

crashed on approach in Dubrovnik), Embassy Zagreb organ-

ized the Brown Forum: Economic Opportunities at the Mu-

nicipal Level on April 2-3. This was the second time the

annual event was held.

The Forum provided a unique venue for over 200 govern-

ment and business leaders from all seven countries of the

former Yugoslavia, Albania, and the U.S. to come together

for a wide-ranging dialogue about how local government

entities can promote economic growth, provide support to

local businesses, and market a municipality’s resources and

benefits to potential investors. With over 20 U.S. busi-

nesses and over 50 companies from southeast Europe rep-

resented at the Forum, the event also promoted direct business to business contact to explore partnership and investment oppor-

tunities. In organizing the Brown Forum, Embassy Zagreb partnered with the Croatian President’s Office, the Croatian Govern-

ment, the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK), and the Croatian Employer’s Association (HUP). President Josipovic, Deputy

Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Radimir Cacic and Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic participated in the official opening with

Ambassador Foley.

Senator Mark Begich, whose grandfather immigrated to the United States from Croatia, delivered an inspiring keynote address that

set an upbeat, pragmatic tone for the entire forum. Substantive panel discussions during the forum focused on how local govern-

ment entities can promote economic growth, provide support to local businesses, and market a municipality’s resources and bene-

fits to potential investors. The Embassy employed web streaming and social media to increase the number and type of participants,

as well as the international reach of the presentations. Powered by the CO.NX technology used by the Department of State, over

3,000 watched some portion of The Brown Forum online; over 11,000 people visited the Embassy webpage specifically providing

Brown Forum-related content.

During the forum, Embassy Zagreb also hosted a business plan competition for university students from the region to tackle the

question: “What business would you open and why?” Stu-

dents from the region submitted over 50 business plans, and

13 students were brought to Opatija to compete during the

Brown Forum. The finalists presented their business plans

in front of a panel of judges in the form of a pitch to inves-

tors – modeled off of The Apprentice television program.

During the Brown Forum's networking lunch, Ambassador

Foley delivered remarks about the Ron Brown Apprentice

Program and honored all the participants with Certificates

of Excellence while the top three students received

awards. Ron Brown Apprentice Program Winner was Iva

Jordanovska of Macedonia, who presented her business plan

“At Your Doorstep” for organic food delivery.

SECOND ANNUAL BROWN FORUM HELD IN OPATIJA !

Senator Mark Begich addressing the 2012 Brown Forum in Opatija

Ambassador James B. Foley with Principal Deputy Prime Minister Radimir Čačić

U.S. MARSHALL MEMORIAL FELLOWS VISIT EMBASSY

T he Cultural Affairs Office (CAO) and the Politi-

cal Office (POL) welcomed a group of American

participants in the U.S. Marshall Memorial Fellowship

representing the public, private, and academic sectors,

who are on a two-week long regional exchange visiting

Zagreb, Brussels, and Copenhagen. The CAO and POL

conducted a briefing for the group on the history and

current trends in U.S.-Croatian relations, as well as

the general roles that Embassy personnel perform

overseas. Finally, the participants and Embassy staff

engaged in a lively discussion about the future of Croa-

tia as it enters the European Union, and remaining

steps in judicial and economic reform. The Marshall

Fellowship’s partner organization, the Institut za Medu-

narodne Odnose (the Institute for International Rela-

tions), put together a three-day long program for the

Fellows, during which they met with a diverse cross section of Croatian public, private, and academic sector representatives.

U.S. Marshall Memorial Fellows with Embassy Public Affairs and Political Officers

7TH ANNUAL CROATIA SUMMIT

R epresentatives Elton

Gallegly (R-CA), Gene

Green (D-TX), and Billy

Long (R-MO) attended the

7th annual Croatia Summit

July 6-7 in Dubrovnik, Croa-

tia, which gathered a wide

range of leaders from

across Europe and the

Mediterranean region for

discussions on state build-

ing, the EU accession proc-

ess, and related issues. The

Members of Congress were

part of the U.S. delegation

to the Summit led by Assis-

tant Secretary of State for

European and Eurasian Af-

fairs Philip Gordon. The delegation also included Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker, U.S.

Ambassador to Croatia James Foley and U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro Sue Brown. Representatives Gallegly, Green and Long

also visited the island of Hvar where they met with the Mayors of Stari Grad and Grad Hvar, as well as the Deputy Mayor of

Jelsa. The Members of Congress joined Ambassador Foley at the 4th of July celebration in Zagreb. While in Split, they met with

the International Trust Fund to discuss regional demining initiatives.

From left to Right, Rep Billy Long, Goran Gacnik of the ITF, Rep Elton Gallegly, Rep Gene Green, Dorijan Marsic of the ITF

Volume 6 - Issue 1 Page 4

Volume 6 - Issue 1 Page 5

American Corner Osijek

Public and University Library

Europska avenija 24

31000 Osijek

Phone: 098 170 6383

American Corner Zagreb

Public Library “Bogdan Ogrizovic”

Preradoviceva 5

10000 Zagreb

Phone: 4810 704

American Corner Zadar

Public Library Zadar

Stjepana Radica 11b

23000 Zadar

Phone: 091 193 4069

American Corner Rijeka

University Library

Dolac 1

51000 Rijeka

Phone: 098 794 633

F rom September to November of last year, the Flagship of U.S.

6th Fleet USS MOUNT WHITNEY LCC/JCC-20 visited Rijeka

Shipyard “Viktor Lenac” for maintenance. It is unusual to perform

an overhaul on a U.S. Navy ship overseas, and in this case it was

MOUNT WHITNEY’s first ever yard period.

The MOUNT WHITNEY project demonstrated the high flexibility

and outstanding workmanship of Croatian shipyards as well as the

Croatian government and military organizations that support ship

visits. In contrast to a normal shipyard period, which is scheduled

more than two years in advance, the contract for MOUNT WHIT-

NEY was completed just over a month prior to the ship’s arrival,

which demanded some fast footwork by U.S. Embassy Zagreb and

our Croatian partners.

MOUNT WHITNEY’s visit to Rijeka was anything but a vacation for the crew. During the visit, the ship’s complement,

a hybrid of U.S. Navy active duty personnel and Military Sealift Command Civilian Mariners (CIVMARs) worked 14

hour days, seven days a week to supervise and participate in the maintenance. Despite the long hours, MOUNT

WHITNEY’s crew found time to contribute

to the local communities of Primorsko-

Goranska County where they stayed. They

provided guest readers for English programs

at local schools, did maintenance on a hiking

trail above Rijeka, planted trees in Kostrena

and even participated in a local intramural

soccer league.

One event which drew media attention dur-

ing the visit was the promotion of Electronics

Technician Zehra Hodzic to Petty Offi-

cer. ET3 Hodzic, a native of Velika Kladusa,

Bosnia-Hercegovina, emigrated to the United

States in 2004. Members of her family who

still live in Bosnia-Hercegovina traveled in for

the ceremony. (photo)

USS MOUNT WHITNEY is homeported in

Gaeta, Italy. U.S. Navy ships assigned to the

6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) regu-

larly visit ports in Croatia for liberty and to

conduct training with the Croatian Navy,

Croatian Coast Guard, Maritime Police and

other military and civilian partners.

6TH FLEET FLAGSHIP VISITS RIJEKA SHIPYARD

Zehra Hodzic’s Promotion Event

Volume 6 - Issue 1 Page 6

O n July 13th and July 26th, three members of the consu-

lar section went to Zadar and Rijeka (respectively) for

American citizen and Voter outreach events, which were gra-

ciously hosted by the American Corners at the Zadar Public

Library and Rijeka University Library. 35 U.S. citizens attended

the event in Zadar and 21 U.S. citizens attended the event in

Rijeka.

During the two- hour event, they provided voting information

for the upcoming elections, as well as general information on

consular services the Embassy can provide for American citi-

zens. The Vice Consul opened the event with a short presen-

tation and explanation about voting procedures when voting

outside of the United States, including voter registration and

how to request an absentee ballot. She also talked about the

importance of each vote and illustrated this by talking about the

close margins in some recent races.

The Federal Benefits Unit Assistant spoke briefly about the new mandatory requirements for direct deposit for SSA beneficiaries and options for

electronic transfer of benefits into their bank accounts. She also answered various questions about Federal Benefits, as well as voting issues. The

American Citizen Services Specialist spoke briefly about the Federal Postcard application and the voting process for those without Internet access.

We hope to host a similar event in Osijek on September 7 and will be notifying Americans in that area a couple weeks before the event with the

details. Additionally, the annual outreach event at the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb is tentatively scheduled to take place on Tuesday, the 25th of Septem-

ber.

U ndergraduate students and teachers from DePaul University

(Chicago), University of Central Florida, and the Faculty of Or-

ganization and Informatics (FOI-Varazdin) visited the Embassy on June

29. The group is participating in the Ronald McNair Postbaccalaureate

Achievement Program, through which the U.S. students travel overseas

to a specific university (FOI-Varazdin) to exchange viewpoints on edu-

cation systems around the world at a variety of levels – elementary,

secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate. The group met with

representatives from the Public Affairs, Political/Economic, and Re-

gional Security Offices. The students were briefed by U.S. diplomats on

the activities of the U.S. Embassy. They visited the Consular Section

and had a walking tour of the Embassy building. This program enabled

the group of U.S. and Croatian students to learn more about the ex-

perience of a U.S. diplomat overseas, and how to become one. One of

the students blogged about her experience at the Embassy, offering her

positive viewpoint on the visit.

U.S. AND CROATIAN UNIVERSITY EXCHANGE STUDENTS VISIT EMBASSY

American citizens living overseas might find I.R.S. Publication 4732, “Federal Tax Information for U.S. Tax-

payers Living Abroad,” useful in trying to navigate the complex web of U.S. tax requirements. The I.R.S.

developed this brochure as a resource to assist taxpayers in locating useful tax information to help in the

preparation of their tax returns and/or in resolving tax problems. To view the Publication, use the fol-

lowing link:

http://tinyurl.com/y9p9yyg

Public Affairs Officer Sita Sonty with U.S. and Croatian University Exchange Students

AMERICAN CITIZEN OUTREACH

American Citizen Services staff attending outreach in Zadar

Telephone: (+385-1) 661-2345

FAX: (+385-1) 665-8933

Email: ZagrebACS@state.gov

Office Hours (by appointment only)

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Wednesday : 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.,

and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For American Citizen Services in the event of an EMERGENCY, call: (+385-1) 661-2400

The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Zagreb closed permanently on September 16, 2011. Primary responsibility for adjudication of

Federal Benefits Claims for American Citizens in Croatia was transferred to the FBU in Athens, Greece, however, applicants and

beneficiaries residing in Croatia will still be partially assisted by the American Citizen Services unit in Zagreb in obtaining information

about Social Security and other agencies. The U.S. Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia, can no longer access the Social Security

Administration computer system.

Please note: It is now mandatory for all federal benefits to be deposited electronically.

For information requests related to Federal Benefits, please e-mail to: zagrebACS@state.gov or call at: 01-661-2345 or write to: U.S.

Embassy c/o ACS Section, Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb or fax to: 01-665-8933.

Most questions may be answered over the Internet from all of the government agencies at websites shown below:

Volume 6 - Issue 1 Page 7

Contact us

If you have a question for the U.S.

Embassy staff or an idea for an article

in a future edition, write to us at:

ZagrebACS@state.gov

U.S. Embassy - ACS Services

Thomasa Jeffersona 2

Zagreb 10010, Croatia

+385-1-661-2276

We’re on the Web!

http://zagreb.usembassy.gov

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES

FEDERAL BENEFITS UNIT SHIFTING OPERATIONS

Social Security Administration - www.ssa.gov Veterans' Administration - www.va.gov

U.S. Department of Labor - www.dol.gov Office of Personnel Management - www.opm.gov

Medicare - www.medicare.gov