US embassy cable - 05SOFIA1578

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SOFIA 001578 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2015 
TAGS: MARR, MOPS, PREL, IZ, BU, NATO, Bulgaria-Iraqi Freedom 
SUBJECT: NEW DEFENSE MINISTER CONFIRMS PLANS TO ADDRESS 
IRAQ, JOINT MILITARY BASES 
 
REF: A) SOFIA 1567 B) SOFIA 1554 C) STATE 164149 
 
Classified By: Amb. John Beyrle for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary.  Defense Minister Veselin Bliznakov told Amb. 
Beyrle September 9 that an interagency working group would be 
ready to receive USG experts soon to discuss the timing and 
manner of withdrawing Bulgaria's contingent from Iraq, as 
well as a possible follow-on mission.  He also expressed a 
desire to quickly re-engage with the U.S. on basing 
negotiations.  Amb. Beyrle expressed U.S. readiness for 
discussion on both issues, called for transparency in 
Bulgaria's jet fighter procurement, and noted progress made 
in Bulgaria's arms export controls.  End Summary. 
 
2. (C) Ambassador met for the first time with the new defense 
minister, Veselin Bliznakov, to discuss Iraq, the Global War 
on Terrorism, bilateral base negotiations, Bulgaria's jet 
fighter procurement, military modernization, and arms export 
controls.  Minister Bliznakov opened the meeting by 
presenting the Ambassador with a letter of sympathy for the 
victims of Hurricane Katrina addressed to Defense Secretary 
Rumsfeld.  Bliznakov, who has been at his post since August 
16, briefly outlined his priorities at the Ministry, 
including the modernization of the Bulgarian military, 
playing a stabilizing role in the Balkans, forming a 
partnership with Black Sea NATO countries, and continuing to 
closely cooperate with the U.S. military.  He also requested 
a meeting with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld in Berlin, if 
possible. 
 
IRAQ/GWOT 
--------- 
 
3. (C) Ambassador thanked Bulgaria for its contribution in 
the GWOT, and said that the U.S. appreciates the human and 
financial sacrifices that Bulgaria has made.  He noted that 
the UNSCR 1546 mandate for the multinational force in Iraq 
expires upon the formation of a constitutionally elected 
government and asked Bliznakov to delay the start of the 
withdrawal until after the December elections.  He also 
delivered ref C talking points regarding follow-on missions. 
 
4. (C) Bliznakov said that the Global War on Terrorism is a 
top foreign policy priority for the new government, the goal 
of which should be "liquidating terrorism from the face of 
the Earth."  Bliznakov confirmed that Bulgaria "will withdraw 
its contingent from Iraq by the end of 2005 according to the 
government decision."  The three parties in the ruling 
coalition will begin discussions on Iraq September 12.  An 
interagency group with members from the MFA, MOD, and the 
General Staff will be charged with preparing a report 
outlining Bulgaria's future options in Iraq.  The interagency 
group will present its findings to the council of the ruling 
coalition, and the Ministerial Council will then finalize the 
government's approach.  The Minster stressed that Bulgaria 
"is responsible regarding this issue and focused on quickly 
making a decision." 
 
BASING 
------ 
 
5. (C) The Ambassador told Bliznakov that the U.S. hopes to 
have the negotiating team, led by Ambassador Loftis, in 
Bulgaria in the next four weeks to discuss the supplemental 
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Defense Cooperation 
Agreement (DCA).  He asked the Minister to identify issues 
that require further discussion and proposed a DCM-deputy 
minister meeting as soon as possible to help prepare the 
negotiating team to deal substantively with Bulgaria's 
concerns.  Bliznakov agreed in principle and acknowledged 
that the "ball is in Bulgaria's court."  He noted that "the 
period before and after national elections took up a lot of 
precious political time," and Bulgaria is now ready to engage 
in discussions and negotiations on this issue. 
 
JET FIGHTER PROCUREMENT/MILITARY MODERNIZATION 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
6. (C) Ambassador explained that the U.S. is not pressuring 
Bulgaria to make any decision regarding the purchase of 
multi-role jet fighters, but stressed the need for an open, 
fair, and transparent process.  Bliznakov acknowledged this 
desire and said that he "spends a lot of time thinking about 
money," noting that his budget is tight and that this project 
is not currently funded.  The Ambassador noted that Bulgaria 
is receiving $23 million in military assistance this year. 
Bliznakov thanked the U.S. for this assistance and expressed 
his desire to continue working with the U.S. to reform and 
modernize the Bulgarian armed forces. 
 
ARMS EXPORT CONTROLS 
-------------------- 
7. (S) The Ambassador expressed his satisfaction that the 
bilateral agreement for the destruction of Bulgaria's 
commercial stocks of Man-Portable Air Defense Systems 
(MANPADS) is proceeding on schedule.  He also noted the key 
role played by the MOD in implementing arms export controls 
in Bulgaria.  Bliznakov expressed his desire to continue 
working with the USG in this area. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
8. (C) Bliznakov said all the right things, but his ability 
to deliver is untested.  Bulgaria's process for determining 
its future Iraq policy is still evolving, and will be an 
early test of the ability of the new "grand coalition" to 
work together to produce results.  Bliznakov himself is a 
member of one of the two junior coalition partners in this 
three-party government, and he has little previous experience 
in the defense sector.  Nevertheless, he is quite influential 
within his own party, The Simeon Movement, which has been 
very supportive in the GWOT. 
BEYRLE