US embassy cable - 05SOFIA137

C O N F I D E N T I A L  SOFIA 000137 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR EUR/SCE: PFEUFFER, BRANDON, BELL, ENAV 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:(##) 
TAGS: AMGT, BU 
SUBJECT: O/I DAVIES Q KUNEVA TALKING POINTS 
 
Classified by Jeff Levine for reasons 1.4 B & D 
 
1. (C) The following text is sent as an O/I to EUR/SCE because 
Embassy Sofia's classified e-mail system is not working. 
 
DAS Glyn Davies meeting with 
Bulgarian Minister for European Affairs Meglena Kuneva on Jan 24 
 
CONTEXT 
Bulgaria's next step in the process towards EU accession (planned 
for January 2007) is to sign the Accession Treaty on April 25th in 
Luxembourg.  Bulgaria has harmonized around 90% of its laws with 
EU directives and regulations.  Minister Kuneva has been the 
driving force behind Bulgaria's preparation for accession Q and 
seems to be a major leader in pushing for reforms in the civic and 
economic environment.  She will likely brief you on their EU 
progress and thank the US for its support of Bulgaria in this 
process, and encourage cooperation and renewed strength in the 
transatlantic relationship. 
 
The Minister will welcome your praise of Bulgaria's efforts so 
far, as well as your appreciation for their participation in 
fighting the war on terror, and sending troops to Iraq, 
Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo.  Especially with regard to Iraq 
her Government needs to be perceived by its people as a partner 
with whom the U.S. consults and listens. 
 
On Iraq, Bulgarian officials - though unflagging in their support 
of the U.S. - have become increasingly direct about their concerns 
of political vulnerability in this year's parliamentary elections. 
They need to show their electorate the tangible benefits of close 
cooperation with the United States.  Embassy Sofia has urged 
Washington to consider concrete ways to show U.S. support. 
"Delivering" on issues frequently raised by the Bulgarians, 
however, will prove challenging (e.g., POTUS meeting, Iraqi debt 
collection, visa waivers, Iraqi reconstruction contracts). 
 
ISSUES TO RAISE 
Iraq losses: Appreciate Government's resolve and the sacrifices of 
the Bulgarian people to help bring peace and stability to Iraq. 
Battalion has performed well under incredibly tough circumstances. 
Condolences for loss of Bulgarian soldiers.  December 2004 marked 
the first anniversary of the deaths of five Bulgarian soldiers in 
Karbala. Two more were killed, the latest one on October 24.  In 
November, Bulgaria sent its fourth contingent of 480 soldiers. 
Unwavering in its support, the Government has so far resisted 
opposition calls for troop removal following January's Iraqi 
elections, though Iraq is emerging as a key issue before next 
summer's parliamentary elections. 
 
Staying the course in Iraq: Encourage Bulgaria to keep the course 
in Iraq even after this January's elections.  Bulgaria is an 
important partner to the U.S. in maintaining security in Iraq. 
Early withdrawal will weaken security in Iraq exactly when the MNF 
is needed most.  The opposition Socialists have become 
increasingly vocal in their calls for Bulgaria to remove all of 
its troops in Iraq after the January elections. The government has 
publicly stated that Bulgaria will reconsider its role in Iraq 
after the elections and will announce in February their decision. 
 
EU Accession: Congratulations on your preparations for EU 
Accession.  USG recognizes the progress Bulgaria has made in the 
past few years under the leadership of you and the Prime Minister. 
We hope those efforts continue Q particularly in areas such as 
Rule of Law and protection of Intellectual Property Rights.  We 
also hope that Bulgaria acts to ensure that there is no 
discrimination against non-EU investors.  Bulgaria has made great 
strides in closing their chapters for accession and has harmonized 
approximately 90% of EU directives.  However, Bulgaria has slipped 
backward in its enforcement of IPR violations.  US investors are 
disadvantaged in a few areas: a proposed amendment to the 
constitution gives favorable treatment to EU citizens/companies in 
the purchase of land; and tariff rates for American Whiskey are 
greater than for Scottish Whiskey. 
 
Bulgarian medics in Libya: Remain fully engaged with the Libyans 
about the case; U.S. working for immediate release and will 
continue to make this a priority topic on agenda with Tripoli. 
Libya's continued designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism 
means we still have a good deal of leverage.  Support EU effort to 
craft a humanitarian response and have facilitated the 
participation of American pediatric AIDS experts in that effort. 
Five Bulgarian medics have been under a death sentence since May, 
convicted of intentionally infecting hundreds of Libyan children. 
The Bulgarians remain concerned that lifting U.S. and EU sanctions 
reduces crucial leverage over the Libyan government.  EU-Libya 
negotiations on addressing the HIV problem could provide an 
element in an agreement securing their release.  Libya needs a 
face-saving settlement it can sell to the families as compensation 
consistent with Shar'ia law, while the Bulgarians chafe at the 
concept of compensation because it implies culpability on the 
medics' part.   We have facilitated a visit to Benghazi by the 
University of Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative in coordination 
with the EU effort. 
 
If asked: 
 
 
Basing: Reassure Military and Civilian officials that the U.S. is 
working on a decision on using military facilities in Bulgaria. 
The Bulgarian Government and the general population are eager to 
land a permanent U.S. base(s). There is growing impatience among 
Bulgarian leaders with accommodating numerous visits to Bulgarian 
military sites without any serious revelations of U.S. base 
transformation plans.  The government will be expecting and 
looking for signals that a final decision is close at hand. 
 
Iraq Reconstruction Contracts: Pledge to continue to work with the 
GOB to assist its attempts to land Iraqi reconstruction contracts 
for Bulgarian defense firms. Emphasize the importance of restoring 
Bulgarian non-military representation in Baghdad as a means to 
further its interests there. Bulgarian political leaders are 
aggressively looking for concrete benefits from their military 
participation in Iraq. There are signs of increasing Bulgarian 
frustration over their inability to win any substantial contracts 
for Iraq. We have encouraged the Bulgarians to take advantage of 
their commercial competitiveness, especially in the defense 
sector, while simultaneously cautioning them that Bulgarian firms 
cannot expect to be handed contracts.  Bulgaria has signed 
contracts for roughly $17 million in arms sales to the new Iraqi 
security forces, but is looking for much larger contracts. 
 
Bio Note: Mrs. Kuneva is a graduate of Georgetown and very 
favorably disposed to the U.S. (bio attached)