Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SOFIA461
2007-04-12 14:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIA: SUPPORT BUILDS FOR ANTI-OC TRAINING CENTER
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSF #0461 1021439 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121439Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3546
UNCLAS SOFIA 000461
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ACE (HODGKINSON),INL (CARROLL) AND DOJ/ICITAP
(TREVILIAN, THOMAS, DUCOT) AND DOJ/OPDAT (ALEXANDRE, EHRENSTAMM,
ACKER)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASCH PREL KCRM KJUS BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: SUPPORT BUILDS FOR ANTI-OC TRAINING CENTER
REF: A)2006 SECSTATE 193421
B)2006 SOFIA 01661
C) SOFIA 166
UNCLAS SOFIA 000461
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ACE (HODGKINSON),INL (CARROLL) AND DOJ/ICITAP
(TREVILIAN, THOMAS, DUCOT) AND DOJ/OPDAT (ALEXANDRE, EHRENSTAMM,
ACKER)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASCH PREL KCRM KJUS BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: SUPPORT BUILDS FOR ANTI-OC TRAINING CENTER
REF: A)2006 SECSTATE 193421
B)2006 SOFIA 01661
C) SOFIA 166
1. (SBU) Since reftel C, we have continued to solicit support from
EU member-states for the establishment of South Eastern European
Regional Organized Crime Training Center (SEEROCTC). The UK Embassy
committed concrete resources to the center, and the German and
Spanish Embassies are looking for funding from their home offices.
All reiterated their support for SEEROCTC as a well-conceived tool
in fighting transnational organized crime. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) The Ambassador raised the question of funding for SEEROCTC
with his counterparts from the Embassies of UK, Netherlands, Spain,
and Germany. The UK Embassy is ready to contribute technical
assistance to the center through TDY assignment of instructors and
experts, with the British government paying all attendant costs,
including transportation, M&IE, and lodging. Funding could be
available as early as next year, to be reviewed on an annual basis.
3. (SBU) The German Embassy expects to receive approval on
co-funding the SEEROCTC in another month, although it is not yet
clear what the funds would cover. The Spanish government is
actively reviewing the project and will send experts to Bulgaria for
consultations. While the French thought the SEEROCTC idea
well-conceived, they did not commit to seeking funding from their
government. The Dutch shared our view that SEEROCTC should not
duplicate what international or other Bulgarian entities are doing
on OC training.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: The representatives of the five missions
reiterated their positive view of the center as a regional anti-OC
tool. Concrete support from the British and the Germans could
encourage other countries to make similar commitments. This,
coupled with the GOB's efforts to tap into EU funds, brings the idea
of a self-sustaining institution dedicated to fighting organized
crime closer to reality. END COMMENT
BEYRLE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ACE (HODGKINSON),INL (CARROLL) AND DOJ/ICITAP
(TREVILIAN, THOMAS, DUCOT) AND DOJ/OPDAT (ALEXANDRE, EHRENSTAMM,
ACKER)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASCH PREL KCRM KJUS BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: SUPPORT BUILDS FOR ANTI-OC TRAINING CENTER
REF: A)2006 SECSTATE 193421
B)2006 SOFIA 01661
C) SOFIA 166
1. (SBU) Since reftel C, we have continued to solicit support from
EU member-states for the establishment of South Eastern European
Regional Organized Crime Training Center (SEEROCTC). The UK Embassy
committed concrete resources to the center, and the German and
Spanish Embassies are looking for funding from their home offices.
All reiterated their support for SEEROCTC as a well-conceived tool
in fighting transnational organized crime. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) The Ambassador raised the question of funding for SEEROCTC
with his counterparts from the Embassies of UK, Netherlands, Spain,
and Germany. The UK Embassy is ready to contribute technical
assistance to the center through TDY assignment of instructors and
experts, with the British government paying all attendant costs,
including transportation, M&IE, and lodging. Funding could be
available as early as next year, to be reviewed on an annual basis.
3. (SBU) The German Embassy expects to receive approval on
co-funding the SEEROCTC in another month, although it is not yet
clear what the funds would cover. The Spanish government is
actively reviewing the project and will send experts to Bulgaria for
consultations. While the French thought the SEEROCTC idea
well-conceived, they did not commit to seeking funding from their
government. The Dutch shared our view that SEEROCTC should not
duplicate what international or other Bulgarian entities are doing
on OC training.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: The representatives of the five missions
reiterated their positive view of the center as a regional anti-OC
tool. Concrete support from the British and the Germans could
encourage other countries to make similar commitments. This,
coupled with the GOB's efforts to tap into EU funds, brings the idea
of a self-sustaining institution dedicated to fighting organized
crime closer to reality. END COMMENT
BEYRLE