Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SOFIA160
2007-02-07 11:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:  

BULGARIA: NEXT STEPS WITH ALLIES ON AFGHANISTAN

Tags:  PREL MOPS MARR NATO AF BU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0542
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHSF #0160 0381151
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 071151Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3169
INFO RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0027
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
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