US embassy cable - 05SOFIA1704

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 001704 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2015 
TAGS: BU, IZ, MARR, MOPS, NATO, Bulgaria-Iraqi Freedom 
SUBJECT: BULGARIAN TROOPS LIKELY TO REMAIN IN IRAQ THROUGH 
DECEMBER ELECTIONS 
 
REF: A) STATE 164149 B) SOFIA 1639 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Jeffrey Levine 
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Stanishev told Ambassador 
October 5 that Bulgaria will likely maintain its contingent 
in Iraq through the December 15 elections.  The decision 
regarding a follow-on military activity is still under 
discussion and will next be considered in the coalition 
government,s political council.  The desire to continue as a 
reliable partner in the Global War on Terror as well as to 
contribute to Iraq,s stability remains a high priority for 
Bulgaria.  The Prime Minister is also looking towards 
President Purvanov,s White House visit to further strengthen 
the bilateral relationship.  Finally, Stanishev requested 
U.S. support for Bulgaria,s 2007 EU accession. End Summary 
 
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Follow-on Mission 
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2. (C) The Ambassador requested the meeting to reinforce our 
recommendation that Bulgaria undertake the MEK Mission 
(reftel A) when it withdraws its current contingent from 
Diwaniyah Province (The PM's foreign policy advisor had 
signalled to us the need for the meeting to counter some 
misunderstanding of the U.S. position since the visit of the 
U.S. contact team (reftel B)).   Leaders of the three 
political parties that comprise the current coalition 
government are scheduled to meet on this issue shortly, and 
have yet to agree on the form Bulgaria,s future commitment 
will take.  According to Stanishev,  the various proposals 
presented by the U.S. team are under consideration,  but the 
Bulgarian military has also been asked to present additional 
options.  Strategically,  Stanishev agreed that the 
preservation of stability in Iraq is the only alternative to 
chaos and an increased terrorist threat.  Politically, 
however, the Bulgarians are still searching for a formula 
that will allow continued participation without creating 
serious problems for the six-week-old government. 
 
3. (C) Stanishev said Bulgaria is likely to be able to 
accommodate our request to keep their current soldiers on the 
ground through the December formation of the new Iraqi 
government.  He ruled out a proposal from the Bulgarian 
military to send a replacement contingent for the one 
scheduled to depart later this month.  Instead, they plan to 
rotate in additional soldiers to replace only the current 
volunteers who are not willing to extend beyond their 
October-November commitment.  Although some "symbolic" 
withdrawals may begin earlier, Stanishev said the actual 
departure of their troops - if only for Kuwait - will begin 
between December 20 and December 31. 
 
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Purvanov visit 
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4. (C) Stanishev also said the government is paying high 
attention to President Purvanov,s visit and would like it to 
be as substantive as possible.  The ministers of Defense, 
Economy, and Foreign Affairs will accompany Purvanov, 
Stanishev said, to underscore the serious working nature of 
the visit.  Foreign Minister Kalfin,  according to Stanishev, 
will be raising with Secretary Rice a proposal to establish a 
cyber-security center in Sofia. In a separate discussion Oct. 
3, President Purvanov invited the Ambassador to meet with him 
and the Presidential staff Oct. 10 to review substantive 
preparetions for the Oct.17-19 U.S. visit. 
BEYRLE