NEW INTERIOR MINISTER MIKOV REQUESTS U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000301 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO S/CT, INL - ERIN BARKLAY, NSC - ADAM STERLING, DHS - STEWART BAKER, FBI - JOHN MILLER, DOJ - ALICE FISHER AND CARL ALEXANDRE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KCOR KCRM BU SUBJECT: NEW INTERIOR MINISTER MIKOV REQUESTS U.S. ASSISTANCE FOR REFORM REF: A. SOFIA 229 ¶B. SOFIA 248 ¶C. SOFIA 293 Classified By: Ambassador John Beyrle for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST: New Interior Minister Mihail Mikov discussed his plans for reform and made specific requests for assistance to Ambassador Beyrle on May 12, their first meeting since Mikov took office. The Ambassador noted one or two U.S. experts would arrive in Sofia before the end of the month to consult with him and other senior leaders on the concept and structure of a reformed ministry. He also affirmed U.S. willingness to help as much as possible in reform efforts. In stark contrast to his predecessor, Roumen Petkov, Mikov appeared sincere and energized on the subject of reform. We should take advantage of this opportunity to help Mikov bring about real reform in his ministry that could in turn bring positive change in other executive bodies. The Ambassador also discussed the Visa Waiver Program and unblocking the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Second Line of Defense (SLD) agreements. END SUMMARY. -------------- MOI REFORM -------------- ¶2. (C) Mikov opened by saying it was a tough decision to take on the job but that he was getting more enthusiastic the more he worked. It would be a challenge to accomplish a lot in the small amount of time remaining before the next elections (NB: they must be held no later than June 2009). He described changes he would make in the senior leadership, including possibly dividing the Secretary General's duties among deputies to reduce the concentration of power, and also to bring in different points of view. Stressing that PM Stanishev supports moving on new legislation very quickly, Mikov predicted all legislative procedures would be completed by late June - early July. The old legislation describes all ministry administrative functions and positions in detail. He was contemplating more streamlined legislative language, leaving details to the executive to allow more structural and operational flexibility. The MOI is working on its internal changes so that they can be implemented as soon as the legislation passes. ¶3. (C) Ambassador Beyrle congratulated Mikov on his appointment noting his intelligence and integrity, with integrity being the most important quality for reform. The U.S. needs a strong Bulgaria and is ready to assist in creating a concept and structure for an effective, modern ministry of interior. He said one or two experts from the U.S. would arrive before the end of the month to work with the Minister and other senior officials on reform, similar to the way U.S. experts worked on the creation of DANS. Noting the importance of mutual trust and confidence, the Ambassador encouraged the closest possible collaborative law enforcement relations between DANS and MOI and between the Prosecutor General and MOI. He urged Mikov to demonstrate concrete success in the next 2-3 months -- criminals going to jail as opposed to presenting lists of bureaucratic achievements -- or the public would believe there was no real change. ¶4. (C) Mikov requested U.S. assistance in a number of specific areas: -- GDBOP (General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime): Mikov said GDBOP needs restructure, reform, and changes in its interaction with the regular police. It also needs to standardize procedures, enhance internal controls, and changes in legislation to allow faster disciplinary procedures and to transfer officers when there is suspicion of corruption but not enough evidence to prosecute a case. -- Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Technical Intelligence (DOI,DOTI): Mikov is considering taking the two units that collect raw intelligence and putting them together in another ministry or separate entity. He is leaning towards keeping them in MOI. The Ambassador suggested Mikov raise it with the U.S. experts. -- Personnel: Setting a new standards and safeguards. "Here we require support from the U.S. and UK." Mikov is especially interested in ethics, internal disciplinary mechanisms (other than dismissal),and administrative oversight, and external/internal checks and balances. -- World Bank audit: Mikov believes a WB audit can assist in making MOI financing, budgeting, and internal cost controls stronger, more flexible and more responsive. He wants to be ready to start next year. -- EU Monitoring Report: Mikov welcomed suggestions from the U.S. and EU on dealing with problems identified in the report. -- Cooperation with other structures: Revenue, Customs, DANS: Mikov has already talked with the other bodies about better cooperation and coordination. He wants advice on the best application of the separate executive powers so that law enforcement tools can be effectively brought to bear when criminal activities cross intra-governmental bodies charged with enforcing legislation (and where multiple agencies may have jurisdiction, competency, or authority to act). -------------- OTHER ISSUES -------------- ¶5. (C) Moving on from reform issues, the Ambassador told Mikov the duty free shops at Bulgaria,s land borders with non-EU states should be shut down now as the government said it would do. Duty free gas stations are in violation of EU regulations and need to close immediately. The GOB is "playing with fire" with regard to EU sanctions if it appears that organized criminals are telling the government what to do on duty fee shops. The Ambassador also brought up the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Second Line of Defense (SLD) agreements. Months of negotiations were now stuck on one sentence on liability for accidents. Mikov said he would look into it. On the Visa Waiver Agreement, the Ambassador said this week we would share the draft interim agreement with the GOB. The interim agreement will show the public both governments are working toward agreement. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) Mikov has grasped the enormity of his reform task and wants all the help we can give. Our response should be direct: a small, one-two person U.S. team focused on executive level, legislatively-primed changes we would recommend; it should come within the one or two weeks for one or two days on intense consultations; it should offer suggestions on U.S. and European models the Bulgarians can mine on the specific points Mikov raised above; and it should help the Bulgarians aim at the principles, architecture, and procedures they can usefully establish for a revamped MOI. Mikov would welcome a U.S. executive vision and operational guidelines. The Bulgarians are moving ahead quickly on a legislative draft; we need to influence that process now. Beyrle