US embassy cable - 05SOFIA1450

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 SOFIA 001450 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, BU 
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT APPROVES BULGARIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT 
 
Ref: A) SOFIA 1448  B) SOFIA 1329  C) SOFIA 1429  D) SOFIA 1404 
E) SOFIA 1380 F) SOFIA 1363 G) SOFIA 1325 
 
1.  (U) Action request Para 7 
 
2.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  At an extraordinary session of parliament on 
August 16, the largest coalition in Bulgaria's post-communist 
history approved the nomination of Socialist leader Sergei 
Stanishev as prime minister.  Stanishev was backed by MPs from a 
three-party coalition of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), the 
National Movement for Simeon II (NMSS) and the Movement for Rights 
and Freedom (MRF).  Following the PM vote, parliament approved with 
two separate ballots the structure of the new government and the 
cabinet line-up.  Post will use the arrival of Ambassador Beyrle 
and CODEL Hagel to quickly engage the new government on a number of 
key bilateral issues.  Post also requests Washington congratulatory 
calls to the new government.  The relatively dispassionate debate 
on the new governments was marred by extreme-right Ataka leader 
Volen Siderov who used violently anti-Turkish rhetoric to criticize 
the role played by President Purvanov in the formation of the 
government.  Bios of new governments follow comment. END SUMMARY 
 
BULGARIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT; A DONE DEAL 
 
3.  PM Stanishev was elected with 169 votes in the 240-seat 
Parliament (only 235 MPs were present), giving him the largest 
majority of any post-communist government.  The center-right 
United Democratic Forces (UDF), Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSP) 
and Bulgaria People's Union (BPU), joined by Ataka, all opposed the 
Stanishev government. 
 
4.  (U) Speaking before Parliament, Stanishev outlined the 
government's highest priorities including European Union entry on 
January 1, 2007, a goal of annual economic growth of 6-8 percent 
and a modernized state administration in support of the free 
market.   The government also pledged to take decisive action 
against organized crime and corruption.  The new government's 
decision-making process will be based on the principle of consensus 
and dialogue, said Stanishev.  President Georgi Purvanov praised 
the new cabinet saying the inclusion of a large number of experts 
is an important guarantee for its success. 
 
LACK-LUSTER DEBATES 
 
5.  (U) After 52 days of political wrangling, three mandates and an 
obviously done deal, the five-hour Parliamentary debate was 
relatively subdued.  Criticizing the proposed government, Nadezhda 
Mihailova of UDF said the horse-trading involved in the formation 
of the new government surpassed her wildest expectations. 
Mihailova also cautioned that UDF will challenge the new government 
in the Constitutional Court arguing that the Bulgarian constitution 
does not allow Stanishev to form a government after previously 
being named PM (Ref B.).  MPs from DSP labeled the new cabinet a 
Socialist government, which does not reflect voters' expectations. 
Although they voted against the proposed government, BPU MPs 
acknowledged that Bulgaria avoided a lengthy period of political 
chaos (i.e. a caretaker government and new elections) thanks to the 
coalition agreement. 
 
6.  (U) "Ataka", living down to its reputation, characterized 
President Purvanov's decision to give the third mandate to the 
primarily Turkish MRF as treason.  Siderov and followers wore black 
arm bands in "mourning Bulgarian national dignity" and charged the 
new government will pursue "anti-Bulgarian" policies.  As his 
insults of the President and the government continued, the 
Parliamentary leader finally expelled Siderov from the rostrum. 
 
7.  (SBU) Action Request:  Post believes congratulatory calls from 
President Bush to PM Stanishev and Secretary Rice to Foreign 
Minister Kalfin would be very effective in helping to quickly 
establish strong working relations with the government. 
 
8. (SBU) COMMENT:  While the government-formation was painful to 
observe, the end result is a broad coalition with strong 
Parliamentary support.  How it will function, however, is still an 
open question.  Legislation required for EU entry -- including 
essential reform of the Penal Procedure Code -- will be the 
government's highest priority and should engender cooperation. 
Individual issues, including participation in Iraq, privatizations 
and fiscal policy will be more problematic.  With a new government 
finally in place, Post will quickly engage on a number of issues 
that have languished since mid June.  The arrival of Ambassador 
Beyrle and the August 28 visit by CODEL Hagel provide an excellent 
opportunity to raise Bulgaria's participation in Iraq, basing 
negotiations, the business climate, protection of intellectual 
property and the weak rule of law environment.  We will also be 
urging the government to forcefully address an increase in anti- 
minority rhetoric that has coincided with Ataka's electoral 
success.  END COMMENT 
 
THE CABINET LINE-UP 
 
9.  (SBU) Bulgaria's new cabinet comprises eight ministers from the 
BSP, five ministers from the NMSS, three from the MRF and one 
minister who is not a party member, but his nomination was 
supported both by the BSP and the NMSS. 
--SERGEI STANISHEV, (BSP), Prime Minister: Stanishev, 39, is a 
Moscow-educated historian, whose only non-political experience was 
as a freelance journalist.  He entered the political scene in 1995 
as chief expert at the Foreign Policy and International Affairs 
Department of BSP.  Stanishev was elected chairman of the BSP 
Supreme Council on December 15, 2001, after Purvanov's election as 
president.  Stanishev is the fourth leader since the Bulgarian 
Communist Party reinvented itself as the BSP.  He is affable and 
media-friendly, and enjoys a largely positive public image, 
although his lack of experience is often raised as a weakness.  As 
leader of the BSP parliamentary group in the previous parliament, 
he was a strong supporter of membership in the EU and NATO.  He 
speaks English and Russian very well. 
 
--IVAILO KALFIN, (BSP), Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: 
Kalfin, 41, was President Purvanov's economic advisor.  Since 
becoming Presidential Economic Advisor Kalfin has actively 
participated in reforming the left-wing parties' economic thinking 
and policies pushing for market economic reforms.  He is a Western- 
educated economist and financial consultant, and is fluent in 
English, Russian, French and Spanish. 
 
--ROUMEN OVCHAROV, (BSP), Minister of the Economy and Energy: As 
Deputy Chairman, Ovcharov, 53, is among the most influential 
figures within the BSP.  He is a Russian-trained nuclear engineer 
who served as Energy Minister in the failed Socialist government of 
Zhan Videnov in 1996-1997.  He speaks English very well. 
 
--ROUMEN PETKOV, (BSP), Interior Minister: Petkov, 52, is the other 
influential Socialist deputy leader, responsible for BSP 
organizational matters and party funding.  His four-year term as 
mayor of Pleven (1995-1999) was marred by allegations of 
corruption.  He is a pragmatist who maintains good relations with 
other parties, particularly the MRF.  He has been very open with 
the Embassy during the formation process.  Petkov does not speak 
English. 
 
--PLAMEN ORESHARSKI, (Independent), Finance Minister: Oresharski, 
45, is an economist and financier who currently serves as Vice Dean 
of Sofia's Economic University.  He served as deputy Finance 
Minister in Ivan Kostov's cabinet (1997-2001).  Oresharski quit the 
Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) in 2003 following a controversy 
regarding his nomination as mayor of Sofia.  The UDF withdrew 
Oresharski's candidacy for Sofia's mayor after his meeting with a 
controversial businessman linked to organized crime became public. 
He has limited working English. 
 
--VESSELIN BLIZNAKOV, (NMSS), Defense Minister: Bliznakov, 61, is 
an influential figure within NMSS and loyal to the former king.  He 
is a member of the NMSS' Political Council and Secretary General of 
NMSS.  He was also an MP in the previous Parliament and chaired the 
Parliamentary Energy Committee.  As an expert in radio-biology and 
radiation, Bliznakov has strongly opposed the early closure of the 
four units of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant - required by the EU. 
Until July 2001 Bliznakov chaired the Bulgarian Nuclear Society. 
He speaks English and Russian. 
 
--GEORGI PETKANOV, (NMSS), Minister of Justice: Petkanov, 57, 
served as Interior Minister in Simeon's administration.  He became 
a member of the NMSS Political Council on April 6, 2002.  He was a 
lecturer at the Faculty of Law at Sofia University.  He does not 
speak English. 
 
--NIKOLAI VASSILEV, (NMSS) Minister of State Administration: 
Vassilev, 35, served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of 
Transport and Communications in Simeon's administration.  Before 
the cabinet reshuffle in 2003 he was Minister of Economy.  He 
speaks excellent English. 
 
--MEGLENA KUNEVA, (NMSS), Minister of European Integration: Kuneva, 
48, is an expert on European affairs.  MP in the 40th National 
Assembly (Parliamentary Group NMSS).  Kuneva served as Minister of 
European Affairs in Simeon's administration. She speaks excellent 
English. 
 
--DANIEL VULCHEV, (NMSS), Deputy Prime Minister and Education 
Minister: Vulchev, 43, was an MP in the previous Parliament where 
he chaired the Committee for European Integration.  He is a member 
of the Political Council of the NMSS and Deputy Chairman of NMSS. 
He speaks very good English. 
 
--EMEL ETEM, (MRF), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Disaster 
and Accidents: Etem 47, was a member of the 38th and the 39th 
National Assembly (Parliamentary Group of the MRF).  Etem has been 
Deputy Chair of the MRF Central Council since February 2000. He 
speaks no English. 
 
--EMILIA MASLAROVA, (BSP), Minister of Labor and Social Policy: 
Maslarova, 56, was MP in the 7th Grand National Assembly (1990-91), 
the 38th National Assembly and in the 39th National Assembly.  She 
is a member of the BSP Supreme Council.  Maslarova was Minister of 
Labour and Social Policy in Andrei Loukanov's cabinet (Sept. 1990- 
Nov. 1991) and Director of the Foreign Aid Agency (1995-97).  Her 
ability to speak English is unknown. 
 
--ASEN GAGAOUZOV, (BSP), Minister of Regional Development and 
Public Works: Gagauzov, 52, is a member of the BSP Supreme Council. 
He was MP in the 38th and 39th National Assembly.  Gagauzov was 
mayor of Sliven (1999-2001).  He speaks no English. 
 
--PETER MOUTAFCHIEV, (BSP), Minister of Transport: Moutafchiev, 44, 
was MP in the 38th and the 39th National Assembly.  He was 
secretary of the Socialist parliamentary group.  His ability to 
 
SIPDIS 
speak English is unknown. 
 
--STEFAN DANAILOV, (BSP), Minister of Culture:  Danailov, 63, was 
MP in the 39th National Assembly and chaired the Committee on 
Culture.  He is a member of the Executive Bureau of the BSP Supreme 
Council.  He is a professional actor.  He speaks Italian. 
 
--RADOSLAV GAIDARSKI, (BSP) Minister of Health:  Gaidarski, 68, has 
been working at the government Lozenets Hospital since 2003.  He 
was on the team that performed the first successful liver 
transplant operation in Bulgaria.  On October 19, 2004, Gaidarski 
was named the Physician of the Year award and on April 6, 2005, he 
was awarded the title Physician of Bulgaria.  His ability to speak 
English is unknown. 
 
--DJEVDET CHAKUROV, (MRF), Minister of the Environment and Waters: 
Chakurov, 45, was MP in the 39th National Assembly and chaired the 
Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Waters.  He is a member 
of the Central Council of the MRF in charge of relations with the 
European liberal parties.  In May 2005, he was elected Vice 
President of the Liberal international and member of the Executive 
Bureau of the organization.  He speaks English. 
 
--NIHAT KABIL, (MRF), Minister of Agriculture and Forestry:  Kabil, 
43, is extremely loyal to the MRF Leader Ahmed Dogan.  He is 
credited with setting up a substantial part of the MRF's political 
structures in the country, and is considered to be the MRF's 
informal treasurer.  Kabil served as Minister of Agriculture in the 
Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's administration.  He is an agricultural 
engineer whose career has spanned government and private business. 
He speaks only a little English. 
 
LEVINE