BULGARIA ASKS FOR US SUPPORT FOR KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000230 SIPDIS SIPDIS PASS TO EUR DAS ROSEMARY DICARLO PASS TO EUR/SCE CHRIS HOH E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV KV BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA ASKS FOR US SUPPORT FOR KOSOVO INTERNATIONAL STEERING GROUP (ISG) MEMBERSHIP Classified By: DCM Alex Karagiannis for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) Political Director Poriazov called the DCM on FM Kalfin's instructions to express Bulgaria's regret that it was not invited to participate in the ISG. Sweden broke silence, citing that while it had no objection to Bulgaria, the group needed rules of procedure, organization, and membership before taking in additional countries. Kalfin subsequently called Swedish FM Bildt to pitch Bulgaria's case, but Bildt did not budge. Poriazov wryly noted that Bildt seems still to consider himself a regional expert. Bulgaria is disappointed that it was not invited to join, believing it can add legitimacy and value as a neighbor and regional player for the ISG. Poriazov conveyed Bulgaria's strong hope that the U.S. can support Bulgaria's membership at the next ISG meeting scheduled for 17 May in Vienna. Beyrle