US embassy cable - 05SOFIA1548

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 001548 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2015 
TAGS: PREL, IZ, BU, Bulgaria-Iraqi Freedom 
SUBJECT: BULGARIAN PM CONFIRMS INTENTION TO REMAIN ENGAGED 
IN IRAQ AFTER WITHDRAWAL 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN BEYRLE, FOR REASONS 1.4 (A) AND (D). 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: In a weekly parliamentary question and answer 
session, Prime Minister Stanishev confirmed his government's 
intention to remain engaged in Iraq despite the withdrawal of 
its military contingent by the end of 2005.  Stanishev added 
that an interagency commission will suggest possible ways to 
remain active in the coalition, possibly focusing on 
humanitarian activities and training.  Earlier in the week, 
General Kolev, Chief of the General Staff, noted that 
Bulgarian troops would likely be in the process of 
withdrawing during the December 15th Iraqi elections, unless 
a new political decision is made.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) Statement by Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev in 
Parliament September 2nd (informal translation provided by 
Embassy Sofia): &In compliance with our pre-election 
commitment, the Bulgarian Government considers it necessary 
to begin preparations for withdrawing our contingent from 
Iraq.  In order to clarify the numerous military and 
military-technical aspects, an Interagency Commission has 
been set up which will prepare a report comprising suggested 
scenarios for withdrawing our military participation in Iraq 
and replacing it with humanitarian actions.  By the end of 
September, we anticipate starting discussions with our 
partners from the Multinational Forces on the manner of 
withdrawing our contingent from Iraq.  Bulgarian troops have 
fulfilled, and proudly continue to fulfill, their duties. The 
forthcoming withdrawal does not mean a retreat from our 
commitments to the antiterrorist coalition.  We will maintain 
our responsible attitude as a reliable and predictable 
partner of the Multinational Forces and the Iraqi Government. 
 We will continue our participation inthe efforts of the 
international community to brng stability to Iraq, however 
in a different format which will be subject to clarification 
in workng meetings and consultations with our coalition 
partners.  Bulgaria cannot be indifferent to Iraq's stability 
and will seek other forms for participation in compliance 
with Bulgaria's national security interests and our 
international obligations.8  In response to a separate 
question about Iraq, Stanishev said: &Bulgaria cannot be 
indifferent to Iraq's stability.  Bulgaria will seek other 
ways to bring stability there, through training Iraqi police 
officers in Bulgaria or Iraq, ways that will be in compliance 
with Bulgaria's national security interests.8 
 
3. (U) On August 31st, the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency 
reported comments by General Nikola Kolev, Chief of the 
General Staff of the Bulgarian Army.  General Kolev said that 
the National Assembly's mandate for Bulgaria's military unit 
in Iraq expires at the end of 2005.  &On December 15, when 
Iraqi elections are held, the unit will already be on its way 
to Bulgaria, if there is no change in the political 
decision,8 he added. 
 
4. (C) COMMENT.  During the election campaign, Stanishev 
promised an immediate withdrawal of Bulgarian forces from 
Iraq under a BSP-led government.  Now that his party leads 
the ruling coalition, Stanishev has moderated his position 
but must still decide how to placate his electorate.  END 
COMMENT. 
BEYRLE