DUTCH MFA RESPONSE TO ASPARUKHOV DEMARCHE

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 002421

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2013
TAGS: PREL MARR PINR PGOV BU NL NATO
SUBJECT: DUTCH MFA RESPONSE TO ASPARUKHOV DEMARCHE

REF: STATE 269610

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARY DALY FOR REASONS
1.5 (B AND D)

(S) POLMILOFF DELIVERED REFTEL DEMARCHE TO MFA SECURITY
POLICY BUREAU NATO POLICY CHIEF HANS SANDEE ON SEPTEMBER 24.
SANDEE SAID THE DUTCH SHARE U.S. CONCERNS ABOUT THE
PROSPECTIVE APPOINTMENT OF BRIGO ASPARUKHOV AS INTELLIGENCE
ADVISOR TO BULGARIAN PREMIER SAXE-COBURG. THE DUTCH AGREE ON
THE NEED FOR A CLEAR SIGNAL TO THE BULGARIANS THAT THIS IS
NOT ACCEPTABLE. SANDEE SAID THE DUTCH WOULD LIKELY INSTRUCT
THEIR EMBASSY IN SOFIA TO RAISE THIS WITH THE BULGARIAN
GOVERNMENT. POLMILOFF URGED SANDEE TO RAISE THE MATTER WITH
BULGARIAN EMBASSY IN THE HAGUE AS WELL. SANDEE NOTED THAT
THERE IS INTEREST IN THE DUTCH PARLIAMENT ABOUT THE EFFECT OF
ENLARGEMENT ON NATO SECURITY AND SAID THE GONL DOES NOT WANT
THIS ISSUE TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON RATIFICATION.
SOBEL