Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SOFIA1566
2005-09-09 13:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:  

DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AT THE UNGA HIGH LEVEL EVENT:

Tags:  PREL EAID EFIN KPAO BU UNGA 
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UNCLAS SOFIA 001566 

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID EFIN KPAO BU UNGA
SUBJECT: DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AT THE UNGA HIGH LEVEL EVENT:
BULGARIA'S VIEW

REF: STATE 162146, STATE 160880, STATE 160131

UNCLAS SOFIA 001566

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID EFIN KPAO BU UNGA
SUBJECT: DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AT THE UNGA HIGH LEVEL EVENT:
BULGARIA'S VIEW

REF: STATE 162146, STATE 160880, STATE 160131


1. (SBU) We delivered reftel talking points to Emil
Yalnazov, head of the MFA's UN Directorate on 7 September.
Yalnazov agreed that the specific proposals contained in the
Declaration are "also complicated for us" and conveyed that
the GOB was not likely to support any binding application of
the committments proposed in the Declaration.


2. (SBU) Yalnazov stated that, as an aspiring EU member,
Bulgaria would support any EU consensus on the issue. He
further remarked that many EU member states hold widely
divergent views on the subject. In the GOB's view, any EU
consensus that could be negotiated between now and the High
Level Event would likely be a vague expression of political
will rather than a binding commitment. In the absence of an
EU consensus, Yalnazov indicated that the GOB would
coordinate closely with new EU member states and would
support development language along the lines of the EU
common position announced in June.


3. (SBU) Though Yalnazov expressed concerns over the
practicality and utility of airline "solidarity
contributions," the IFF, and specific GDP targets for
official development assistance, he did praise the efforts
of the Declaration's authors to stimulate dialogue and
advance concrete proposals. He specifically mentioned a
"Tobin Tax" on international currency transactions as a
possible alternate source of funding for development.


4. (SBU) Yalzanov was more cautious on other initiatives
being proposed in advance of the High Level Event, remarking
that such a proliferation of initiatives risked distracting
attention from the main document. He expressed concern at a
lack of progress on the main document and stated that the
credibility of the UN could be undermined should delegates
"waste time on a weak paper."


5. (SBU) With respect to larger issues of UN reform,
Yalzanov agreed with the U.S. position that Security Council
enlargement should be linked to comprehensive reform. He
stated that permanent members should take the lead in
advancing proposals in the next stage of negotiations on
Security Council enlargement.

BEYRLE