Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SOFIA827
2007-07-05 14:30:00
SECRET
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON FOREIGN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0047 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSF #0827 1861430 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 051430Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3949 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0135 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0085
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).
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
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