NEW DEFENSE MINISTER CONFIRMS PLANS TO ADDRESS

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
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