BULGARIA: NEXT STEPS WITH ALLIES ON AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000160 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/NCE, EUR/RPM. PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2017 TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR NATO AF BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA: NEXT STEPS WITH ALLIES ON AFGHANISTAN REF: A. STATE 13880 ¶B. SOFIA 114 Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Brad Freden, for reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel A demarche on February 7 to Zlatin Krystev of the MFA NATO Directorate and Anri Georgiev of the MoD International Cooperation directorate. As reported in reftel B, Bulgaria has announced deployment of an additional mechanized infantry company to Afghanistan and has lifted some caveats (ref. B) while expressing the political will to remove others. Nevertheless, equipment shortfalls and lack of armored transport mean that some caveats are likely to remain in effect for the duration of 2007. According to both Krystev and Georgiev, the GoB is investigating all options in an attempt to remove caveats, including an "Afghanistan tax" on non-MoD NATO programs, which could provide 700,000 leva (approx. $466k) for additional equipment for BG forces in Afghanistan. ¶2. (SBU) Bulgaria has also announced a donation of 500 tons of weapons and ammunition to the Afghan National Army. This equipment has already been inspected by representatives from SHAPE and packaged for transport. In order for the equipment to be delivered, a bilateral agreement must be concluded with the Afghan government (preferably through their embassy in Sofia) and logistical support -- previously promised by Canada -- must be secured. Donation details -------------- Military equipment: 82mm Mortar -- 50 Combat binocular -- 500 Ammunition: 7.62x39 Ball Ammo for AK-47 -- 20 million rounds 7.62x54 Ball Ammo for PKM -- 1.5 million rounds 12.7x109 Ammo for DShK Anti-aircraft gun -- 100k rounds KARAGIANNIS