US embassy cable - 05SOFIA922

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000922 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO EUR/NCE AND TO NEA/MAG 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2015 
TAGS: BU, LY, OPDC, PREL, EUN 
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: PRESIDENT PURVANOV CONFIRMS TRIP TO 
LIBYA ON MEDICS 
 
 
Classified By: Jeffrey D. Levine, DCM. Reason 1.5(b) 
 
1.  (C) Summary: President Georgi Purvanov will travel to 
Libya later this month to raise the case of the Bulgarian 
medics.  According to his staff,  the  President has 
tentatively scheduled the trip for May 27-28.  During the 
visit,  Purvanov plans to meet with Qadhafi and the medics in 
Tripoli and then travel to Benghazi to visit the hospital 
there.  He does not intend to meet with any of the families 
suffering from the AIDS outbreak. 
 
2.  (C)  In a discussion with Presidential Adviser Zlatin 
Trapkov, the DCM raised the political risks of the trip and 
advised it be carefully staffed in order to predict the 
possible  outcome of each event.  Trapkov admitted this would 
not be likely, calling the trip a "shot in the dark," but one 
the President wanted to make before the May 31 court review 
of the medics, death sentences.  According to Trapkov, 
Purvanov will not be presenting any specific proposals to the 
Libyans.  Purvanov will be accompanied by adviser Georgi 
Dimitrov, and possibly staff from the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs.  Trapkov said a member of the delegation might want 
to meet with the head of our Liaison Office in Tripoli, but 
that all logistics and appointments will be handled by the 
Bulgarian Embassy there. 
 
3.  (C)  Comment:  While this is a potentially risky venture 
for Purvanov, he should not be considered a loose canon. 
Purvanov is a smart, polished politician who generally does 
well with the media/public and is able to project interest 
and empathy.  Barring an embarrassing encounter with the 
victims, families or other public diplomacy fiasco,  the 
trip will likely garner positive attention here as another 
example of Purvanov,s  responsible leadership.  Whether the 
real motivation for the trip is the May 31 court date or the 
approaching parliamentary elections (June 25),  Purvanov,s 
decision to travel now comes after months of consideration. 
We have raised several concerns with the Presidency regarding 
the trip including its effect on our trilateral effort, the 
danger in opening multiple lines of communications with the 
Libyans,  Qadhafi,s unpredictability and the general risk of 
embarrassment - but Purvanov appears determined to travel.