US embassy cable - 05SOFIA1554

C O N F I D E N T I A L  SOFIA 001554 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2015 
TAGS: BU, IZ, MARR, MOPS, NATO, Bulgaria-Iraqi Freedom 
SUBJECT: BULGARIANS FOCUSING ON IRAQI FOLLOW-ON MISSION 
 
REF: STATE 164149 
 
Classified By: Ambassador John Beyrle for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary:  In their Sept. 7 introductory meeting, new 
Bulgarian FM Kalfin told Ambassador Beyrle that Bulgaria 
considers it very important to be "loyal,  predictable and 
remain involved in Iraq,"  and hopes to have its position 
regarding follow-on Iraqi military participation ready for 
discussion sometime next week.  The Bulgarians would like to 
have questions regarding Iraq participation and establishment 
of U.S. "bases" here resolved before President Purvanov,s 
Oct. 17 White House meeting.  Kalfin also thanked Amb. Beyrle 
for our continuing efforts to free the Bulgarian medics held 
in Libya.  Bulgaria, he noted, will request another 
Tripartite demarche before the Nov. 15 Libyan court decision 
on the imposed death penalty. Kalfin asked for Embassy 
support of his requested meeting with Secretary Rice in New 
York, and said he would like to work closely with us on 
economic issues, intellectual property rights and arms 
control. End Summary. 
 
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Iraq 
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2. (C) Ambassador Beyrle used the opportunity of his Sept. 7 
informal credential presentation to raise Iraqi points per 
reftel instructions. He thanked FM Kalfin for Bulgaria's 
contributions in Iraq, and highlighted U.S. understanding of 
the political and human costs it has incurred. The Ambassador 
briefly explained the proposed MEK mission as well as the 
NATO Training Mission,s (NTM-I) need for force protection. 
Kalfin responded that Bulgaria hoped to respond very quickly 
and has begun an interagency process to determine what is 
both politically and militarily possible.   They hope to have 
an initial "framework" position ready by next week that will 
then require political concurrence within the governing 
coalition and, very likely, the Parliament.  Kalfin appeared 
optimistic and said they were considering some "good options." 
 
3. (C) Per reftel, the Ambassador also asked that Bulgaria 
delay the start of its withdrawal until the political process 
in Iraq has been completed as defined by the UN resolution. 
Kalfin responded that the follow-on activities would likely 
affect plans for withdrawal or redeployment.  He did, 
however, raise the logistical requirement to withdraw the 
current soldiers based on their six-month commitment by 
mid-December,and the political difficulty of sending another 
contingent for this Mission. 
 
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Bases 
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4. (C) Kalfin predicted a successful conclusion to the 
"basing" negotiations and said there is "clear political 
will"  to move forward.  Although some questions remain, 
Kalfin implied they could be easily overcome.  Amb. Beyrle 
noted that the U.S. negotiating team is ready to return, and 
suggested an Embassy-Ministry meeting to identify outstanding 
issues and prepare for the team,s arrival.  Kalfin agreed 
and said the Bulgarians would like to have the basing issues 
as well as the Iraqi question resolved prior to President 
Purvanov,s meeting with President Bush. 
 
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Libya 
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5. (C) Kalfin thanked the Ambassador for our continuing 
support and said Bulgaria will request another meeting in 
October to produce a Tripartite demarche prior to the Nov. 15 
Libyan court decision.  He also thought a parallel U.S. 
demarche would be useful.  In the meantime, he added, 
Bulgaria was working on humanitarian aid for the Libyan 
children affected with HIV/AIDS through a new NGO and 
supporting the EU,s Action Plan. While Bulgaria will provide 
"considerable resources," it will not negotiate with the 
families on payment of "blood money," Kalfin said. 
 
6. (C) Amb. Beyrle assured Kalfin of our support, and 
encouraged the Bulgarians to engage in some form of 
bilateral communication with the Libyans to determine their 
true bottom line.  Kalfin said they plan to maintain contact 
with the Libyans on many different levels. 
 
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Full Agenda 
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7. (U) The Ambassador and Kalfin agreed they would both like 
to build on the excellent bilateral relations now being 
 
enjoyed.  Kalfin said a strong relationship with the U.S. was 
one of Bulgaria,s highest priorities, later adding that 
economic issues and arms control are important areas for 
continued cooperation.  Kalfin also raised Bulgaria,s 
challenge in meeting the requirements that will allow it to 
enter the European Union on January 1, 2007.  Highest among 
them, according to Kalfin, is judicial reform.  The 
Ambassador promised Kalfin full U.S. support for its on-time 
EU entry, calling it a goal for the U.S. as well as Bulgaria. 
 
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Comment 
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8. (C) Bulgaria,s strong desire for a successful 
Purvanov-Bush meeting will be a positive influence on their 
Iraqi deliberations.  We will ensure that the Bulgarian 
military also receives etails of the follow-on options in 
reftel to tryto leverage  their strong  desire to remain in 
Iaq to our advantage.  In his first meeting with th 
Ambassador, Kalfin expressed a strong commitmen to 
maintaining close relations with the U.S. andclearly 
understood  the importance we place on te Iraqi follow-on 
mission. We recommend  reinforing the message by arranging 
at least a brief pul-aside for Kalfin with the Secretary in 
New York.  End Comment 
BEYRLE