BULGARIA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON FOREIGN

S E C R E T SOFIA 000827 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER SY IZ BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON FOREIGN FIGHTERS TO IRAQ REF: SECSTATE 92339 Classified By: A/DCM Mike Fritz, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) We delivered reftel demarche to Petko Doykov, Director of the MFA's Middle East directorate, on July 5. Tailoring the demarche to Bulgaria's circumstances, we urged in particular that the GOB approach Syria and insist that it stop the flow of foreign fighters entering Iraq from Syria. Doykov responded that while Bulgaria and Syria have embassies in each other's capitals, "relations are not active." The two countries have not exchanged ambassadors since 1998, and bilateral relations consist of rare cultural exchanges. The Syrians would be "astonished" if Bulgaria approached them on a substantive political issue, Doykov said. Nevertheless, he agreed to raise the issue informally with SARG representatives at the next available opportunity. We also asked Bulgaria to support a demarche by the EU, either as the Troika or in some other format, should the issue come up for discussion in Brussels. Doykov enthusiastically agreed with this approach, saying Bulgaria would "absolutely" support a joint U.S.-EU demarche on foreign fighters. ¶2. (S) Other agencies at Post report excellent cooperation with the GOB on interdicting the transit of foreign fighters -- real or potential -- attempting to pass through Bulgaria on their way to Iraq from Western Europe. Beyrle