BULGARIAN TROOPS LIKELY TO REMAIN IN IRAQ THROUGH

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
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

--------------
Follow-on Mission
--------------

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.

--------------
Purvanov visit
--------------

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