Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SOFIA1083
2006-08-03 15:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
FOLLOW-UP REQUEST - DETAINED U.S. GAUGES FROM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0034 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSF #1083 2151500 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 031500Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2314 INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0185 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHVEN/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY
UNCLAS SOFIA 001083
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC PTER ASEC KNNP UK IR BU
SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP REQUEST - DETAINED U.S. GAUGES FROM
BULGARIA
REF: STATE 124121
UNCLAS SOFIA 001083
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC PTER ASEC KNNP UK IR BU
SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP REQUEST - DETAINED U.S. GAUGES FROM
BULGARIA
REF: STATE 124121
1. (U) This is an action request - please see paragraph 4.
2. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche to MFA representative
Elizabeth Konstantinova on 2 August. She agreed to convey
our request for continued detention of the gauges and
information on the truck's routing to inter-ministerial
colleagues and to respond to us with a formal reply. RSO has
also shared reftel talking points unofficially with
operational counterparts at the agencies responsible for the
detention -- the National Border Police service of the
Ministry of Interior and the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory
Agency (NRA).
3. (SBU) RSO reports that the Border Police is willing to
detain the U.S.-origin cargo pending further word from us.
They are awaiting official instructions from Interior
Ministry leadership and the NRA before releasing the driver,
truck, and non-U.S.-origin cargo to proceed to Iran. They do
not expect this official authorization to come before the
week of August 7. Contacts at the Border Police service said
that their most immediate concern is lack of a suitable place
to store the U.S.-origin gauges in the interim.
4. (SBU) Post requests additional information, as available,
on the status of our discussions with HMG, practical next
steps for Bulgaria, and options for interim storage of the
gauges. We believe that sharing such information with the
GOB will facilitate their compliance with our request.
5. (U) POC is Political Officer John Senior -- tel: (359) 2
937 5270, unclassified email: seniorjm@state.gov.
Beyrle
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC PTER ASEC KNNP UK IR BU
SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP REQUEST - DETAINED U.S. GAUGES FROM
BULGARIA
REF: STATE 124121
1. (U) This is an action request - please see paragraph 4.
2. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche to MFA representative
Elizabeth Konstantinova on 2 August. She agreed to convey
our request for continued detention of the gauges and
information on the truck's routing to inter-ministerial
colleagues and to respond to us with a formal reply. RSO has
also shared reftel talking points unofficially with
operational counterparts at the agencies responsible for the
detention -- the National Border Police service of the
Ministry of Interior and the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory
Agency (NRA).
3. (SBU) RSO reports that the Border Police is willing to
detain the U.S.-origin cargo pending further word from us.
They are awaiting official instructions from Interior
Ministry leadership and the NRA before releasing the driver,
truck, and non-U.S.-origin cargo to proceed to Iran. They do
not expect this official authorization to come before the
week of August 7. Contacts at the Border Police service said
that their most immediate concern is lack of a suitable place
to store the U.S.-origin gauges in the interim.
4. (SBU) Post requests additional information, as available,
on the status of our discussions with HMG, practical next
steps for Bulgaria, and options for interim storage of the
gauges. We believe that sharing such information with the
GOB will facilitate their compliance with our request.
5. (U) POC is Political Officer John Senior -- tel: (359) 2
937 5270, unclassified email: seniorjm@state.gov.
Beyrle