US embassy cable - 05SOFIA1110

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 001110 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2015 
TAGS: PREL, IZ, BU 
SUBJECT: BULGARIA REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN SETTING UP 
TEMPORARY EMBASSY IN GREEN ZONE 
 
REF: 04 SOFIA 725 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES PARDEW, FOR REASONS 1.4 (A) AND (D). 
 
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para. 3. 
 
2. (C) Bulgaria's Ambassador designate to Iraq, Col. Valeri 
Rachev, requested USG assistance in securing an office in the 
Green Zone for a temporary Bulgarian Embassy to Iraq during a 
meeting with Ambassador on June 21.  Rachev said the GOB 
would need to base their diplomatic offices in the Green Zone 
until they are able to find a secure location in the 
residential area. Bulgaria's previous embassy to Iraq is in 
severe disrepair and the GOB cannot use it at present, 
according to Rachev.  He added that the GOB hopes to 
establish itself in Baghdad by early September with USG help. 
He told us the Bulgarian Mission will include himself and 
five to six staff members along with a security detail. 
Rachev did not request any additional assistance from the 
U.S., nor did he specify how much space the GOB would need or 
mention payments. 
 
3. (C) Post requests Department guidance on the possibility 
of assisting Bulgaria with office space within the Green 
Zone.  If possible, Post also requests a POC in Baghdad for 
the Bulgarians to work with on this issue.