BULGARIAN PM CONFIRMS INTENTION TO REMAIN ENGAGED

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
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