BULGARIA: PRESIDENT PURVANOV CONFIRMS TRIP TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000922

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO EUR/NCE AND TO NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2015
TAGS: BU LY OPDC PREL EUN
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: PRESIDENT PURVANOV CONFIRMS TRIP TO
LIBYA ON MEDICS


Classified By: Jeffrey D. Levine, DCM. Reason 1.5(b)


1. (C) Summary: President Georgi Purvanov will travel to
Libya later this month to raise the case of the Bulgarian
medics. According to his staff, the President has
tentatively scheduled the trip for May 27-28. During the
visit, Purvanov plans to meet with Qadhafi and the medics in
Tripoli and then travel to Benghazi to visit the hospital
there. He does not intend to meet with any of the families
suffering from the AIDS outbreak.


2. (C) In a discussion with Presidential Adviser Zlatin
Trapkov, the DCM raised the political risks of the trip and
advised it be carefully staffed in order to predict the
possible outcome of each event. Trapkov admitted this would
not be likely, calling the trip a "shot in the dark," but one
the President wanted to make before the May 31 court review
of the medics, death sentences. According to Trapkov,
Purvanov will not be presenting any specific proposals to the
Libyans. Purvanov will be accompanied by adviser Georgi
Dimitrov, and possibly staff from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. Trapkov said a member of the delegation might want
to meet with the head of our Liaison Office in Tripoli, but
that all logistics and appointments will be handled by the
Bulgarian Embassy there.


3. (C) Comment: While this is a potentially risky venture
for Purvanov, he should not be considered a loose canon.
Purvanov is a smart, polished politician who generally does
well with the media/public and is able to project interest
and empathy. Barring an embarrassing encounter with the
victims, families or other public diplomacy fiasco, the
trip will likely garner positive attention here as another
example of Purvanov,s responsible leadership. Whether the
real motivation for the trip is the May 31 court date or the
approaching parliamentary elections (June 25),Purvanov,s
decision to travel now comes after months of consideration.
We have raised several concerns with the Presidency regarding
the trip including its effect on our trilateral effort, the
danger in opening multiple lines of communications with the
Libyans, Qadhafi,s unpredictability and the general risk of
embarrassment - but Purvanov appears determined to travel.