US embassy cable - 05SOFIA358

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 00358 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
C O R R E C T E D  C O P Y  (MRN00358 VICE 00035) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/29/14 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, MOPS, IZ, LY, BU, ARR 
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT REQUEST CLOSER CONSULTATION ON 
IRAQ, SUPPORT FOR IMPRISONED MEDICS IN LIBYA 
 
REF:  A) SOFIA 1792  B) STAT 209883 
 
(U) CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR JAMES PARDW, FOR REASONS 
1.4 (B) AND (D). 
 
1. (C) Summar.  Presiden Purvanov said that 
Bulgarian forceswould remain in Iraq and asked for 
closer policy-evel coordination, especially with 
regard to theredeployment of its battalion in 
Karbala.  He ured the U.S. to maintain pressure on 
the Libyan rgime to release the five Bulgarian 
medical workes imprisoned there for nearly six years. 
End summry. 
 
2. (C) Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov alled the 
Ambassador to his office September 29 to discuss the 
recent public controversy over the proposed 
redeployment of the Bulgarian battalion in Karbala 
(ref A).  He began by saying that Bulgaria "sticks to 
its word," and that its contingent will remain in 
Iraq.  The public dust-up over the redeployment of 
Bulgarian troops was more about process than 
substance.  Military commanders should make such 
decisions, but political leaders need to be kept 
informed.  Unfortunately, "the Polish commander made 
some rash comments," which have now been clarified, 
according to Purvanov.  The Bulgarian and Polish 
military authorities will work "hand-in-hand," 
Purvanov said, but there is a need for greater 
political consultation on larger policy issues, such 
as the redeployment of a national contingent.  He 
asked for more information regarding the reasons for 
the proposed redeployment, saying that as far as he 
knew, the Bulgarian battalion had performed well in 
Karbala. 
 
3. (C) The Ambassador responded with the points in ref 
B, assuring Purvanov that the U.S. valued Bulgaria's 
help in Iraq and had nothing but praise for the 
performance of Bulgarian soldiers in MNF-CS.  We had 
planned all along to follow the military discussion 
with political consultations, but the military talks 
were reported prematurely in the press.  The 
Ambassador added that Bulgarian liaison officers in 
Iraq and at CENTCOM should inform their American and 
Polish counterparts, as well as their Bulgarian 
superiors, when a military issue might require 
political consultations.  Purvanov finished the 
discussion of Iraq by noting that the Bulgarian 
General Staff had raised several questions regarding 
the proposed redeployment, including whether there was 
a possibility of logistical or financial assistance 
for the move, and whether the U.S. could assist with 
force protection during the actual redeployment.  "We 
may be safer in the new camp", Purvanov said, "but the 
process of moving will be complicated and risky." 
 
4. (C) The second issue on Purvanov's mind was the 
fate of the Bulgarian medical workers imprisoned in 
Libya since 1999.  He said there had not been much 
progress in resolving this issue; on the contrary, 
"Qadhafi was getting more self-confident," in light of 
the easing of sanctions by the U.S. and potentially 
the EU.  Purvanov called for the U.S. to maintain 
pressure on the Libyan regime until the medical 
workers were released.  Bulgaria would remain open to 
dialogue with Libya, but would not enter into direct 
negotiations with the families of the victims, as this 
would be tantamount to an admission of guilt. 
Bulgaria supports the EU initiative to help Libyan 
AIDS victims and their families. 
 
5. (C) The Ambassador noted that the case of the 
Bulgarian medical workers was a main topic raised by 
Secretary Powell in his recent meeting with Libyan FM 
 
SIPDIS 
Shalgam.  He also said that the U.S. was urging EU 
member states not to lift their arms embargo on Libya 
until this issue and others were resolved.