BULGARIA: DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ON HAMAS, SYRIA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SOFIA 001330

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2016
TAGS: PREL XF AF IS LE SY IZ IR LY BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ON HAMAS, SYRIA,
LEBANON, IRAQ, LIBYA AND AFGHANISTAN

REF: A. STATE 151189

B. STATE 148157

C. STATE 150032

D. STATE 150777

E. SOFIA 1316

F. EMB BAGHDAD E-MAIL 9/13/06

G. SOFIA 1230

Classified By: A/DCM Brad Freden, reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. In response to Bulgaria's plans to open a
diplomatic office in Ramallah following the formation of a
"national unity" government in the Palestinian territories,
Charge' cautioned deputy Foreign Minister Faim Chaushev,
stressing the steps Hamas would have to take in order to
legitimatize itself in the eyes of the international
community (ref A). He urged the GOB to quickly make good on
its pledges of assistance to Lebanon and UNIFIL (ref B),laid
down a marker on Syria (ref C),and strongly reiterated the
U.S. position regarding Iran's refusal to comply with UNSCR
1696 (refs D and E). Charge' informed Chaushev that the
Iraqi government had approved the site requested by Bulgaria
for its embassy in the Green Zone (ref F),and urged him to
establish a permanent diplomatic presence in Baghdad.
Chaushev responded positively in principle on all counts, and
added that Bulgaria was considering NATO's need for
additional troops in Afghanistan. He thanked the U.S. for
the active role it is playing in trying to obtain the release
of the five Bulgarian nurses imprisoned in Libya (ref G).
END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Charge' held a wide-ranging discussion of Middle East
issues with deputy Foreign Minister Faim Chaushev on
September 15. Chaushev's deputy, MFA Middle East director
Petko Doykov, told us the previous day that Bulgaria planned
to restart discussions with the Palestinians regarding the
opening of a diplomatic office in Ramallah once Hamas and
President Abbas agreed on a "national unity government
recognized by the international community." Charge' urged
Chaushev to move slowly, noting that recognition by the
international community would require Hamas to accept the
Quartet principles, including renouncing terrorism and
recognizing Israel's right to exist.


3. (C) Charge' outlined our concerns regarding Syrian
behavior and the principles guiding our policy, stressing in
particular Syria's obligations under UNSCR 1701. Chaushev
said that Syria and Iran "had not learned the lesson of
Libya," which had given up its WMD program and embarked on a
path of closer relations with the West. Both countries would
try to maintain their influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah.
Unfortunately UNIFIL would not be able to stop the flow of
arms across the Syrian border. Chaushev reaffirmed his
government's commitment to providing either a naval frigate
or a military medical unit to UNIFIL, depending on the needs
of the force. He said he had spoken to Iranian officials and
told them that the only way to dispel suspicions about their
nuclear program was to open it up to the IAEA. "No openness
equals no trust," was the message he reportedly gave the
Iranians. Noting Omani, Kuwaiti and Egyptian fears of a
nuclear-armed Iran, Chaushev said the West also needs to take
better advantage of Arab government's private opposition to
Iran's nuclear program.


4. (C) Chaushev asserted that the re-trial of the five
Bulgarian nurses imprisoned in Libya since 1999 was
developing "according to plan." He expects the court to hold
its last hearing the week of September 18 and to announce its
decision roughly three weeks later. His personal opinion is
that the court will uphold the nurses' death sentences, but
that the Libyan government will then quickly find a way to
send them back to Bulgaria (ref G). Nevertheless, the period
between the announcement of a verdict and the return of the
nurses would be a tense one, especially in light of the
October 22 presidential election in Bulgaria. Chaushev
thanked the U.S. for its consistent support of the nurses,
saying that "Libya only listens to the U.S."


5. (C) On Iraq, Chaushev greeted as good news the decision by
the Iraqi government to approve the site requested for the
Bulgarian embassy. The next step would be for Ambassador
Valeri Ratchev to return to Baghdad to negotiate the details.
Chaushev sounded a note of caution, however, saying that "we

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need to ensure first and foremost the security of our
personnel." Commenting on his August visit to Kabul,
Chaushev noted the lack of security for ordinary Afghans.
Citing the ability of the Taliban and Al Qaida to earn money
from narcotics trafficking, Chaushev asserted the security
situation in Afghanistan was "worse than Iraq." He told us
he recommended to the Bulgarian Ministers of Defense and
Foreign Affairs that Bulgaria respond positively to NATO's
request for more forces.


6. (C) Chaushev by saying that it was important to have "a
more active dialogue between civilizations" in the Middle
East. Bulgaria, because of its traditionally good relations
with Arab governments and the trust it enjoys with Israel, is
well placed among European countries to promote such a
dialogue. He thanked the Charge' for sharing U.S. views and
said Bulgaria would continue to coordinate its position with
the U.S.

KARAGIANNIS