S E C R E T SOFIA 001393

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN/CATR, EUR/NCE, EUR/PRA, PM/WRA, L/PM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM MASS ETTC GG BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA CONSULTS ON ARMS TRANSFERS TO GEORGIA


Classified By: DCM Alex Karagiannis, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request -- please see paragraph 5.


2. (S) On September 26, Christo Atanasov and Ivelina
Bachevanova of the Ministry of Economy's Export Control
Department informed us of a high-value export application for
sale of Bulgarian weapons and ammunition to the Republic of
Georgia. According to the MOE, the listed end-user is the
Georgian Ministry of Interior, and the order itself includes
large quantities of a wide variety of ammunition, ranging
from 9mm rounds to 81mm mortar shells. The order also
includes night vision equipment, training kits, and small
quantities of assault rifles and revolver-style "Avalanche"
grenade launchers. Atanasov and Bachevanova claimed that the
order does not include thermobaric rounds or other sensitive
weapons technologies. NOTE: Though MOE representatives did
not state which Bulgarian company filed the application, the
product list strongly indicates that the materiel will be
supplied by Kazanlak-based manufacturer "Arsenal"
(www.arsenal-bg.com). END NOTE.


3. (S/NF) According to Atanasov, "different sources" (not
further identified) have suggested that the U.S. is aware of
this proposed sale, and supports it as consistent with
Georgia's legitimate defense needs. He requested
confirmation of the U.S. position on this sale in order to
better inform the GOB's deliberations on consideration of the
export application.


4. (S/NF) Atanasov went on to say that arms transfers to
Georgia are a constant bone of contention in Bulgaria's
bilateral relationship with Russia. He indicated that Russia
has long raised the issue bilaterally, but has recently begun
escalating pressure, raising the issue in "every possible
forum," including Wassenaar. He complained of Russian
attempts to embarrass Bulgaria in multilateral fora by
combining the issue of Georgian sales with the
Russian-Bulgarian dispute over licensing for Soviet-designed
military equipment and allegations of poor control over
Georgian weapons stockpiles. In addition, Atanasov claimed
to have information that Russia has been approaching EU
member states bilaterally in an attempt to increase pressure
on Bulgaria and other Eastern European countries to halt arms
sales to Georgia.


5. (S/NF) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department's position
regarding the sale of Bulgarian small arms/light weapons and
associated equipment/ammunition to the Georgian Ministry of
Interior. Point of contact is Political Officer John Senior
(SeniorJM@state.sgov.gov).

BEYRLE