Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SOFIA551
2008-08-12 15:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIA: NSG DRAFT EXCEPTION TEXT FOR INDIA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSF #0551 2251558 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 121558Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5318 INFO RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SOFIA 000551
SIPDIS
ISN/RA FOR TKOCA
ISN/NESS FOR RDELABARRE
SCA/RA FOR JMCCLELLAN
SCA/PPD FOR GSULLIVAN
DOE/NNSA FOR ASCHEINMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC AORC BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: NSG DRAFT EXCEPTION TEXT FOR INDIA
REF: STATE 085948
Political Officer delivered REFTEL points to MFA Senior
Expert in the Directorate of Security Policy, Division of
Arms Control and Non-proliferation Elizabeth Konstantinova on
August 12, 2008. Ms. Konstantinova will be attending the NSG
Plenary in Vienna on August 21-22.
Ms. Konstantinova was aware of the concerns expressed by some
NSG members regarding the draft text, but welcomed
commitments that India has announced under the U.S.-India
Initiative. The best solution, she thought, would be for
India to join the NPT. However, Bulgaria was pragmatic in
its approach and would prefer to see India within the
international non-proliferation regime, rather than isolated
and alone.
Ms. Konstantinova asked whether granting India an exception
would act as a precedent for other countries. She also asked
whether the submission of the "123 Agreement" to Congress in
September would depend upon consensus approval at the
Extraordinary Plenary in Vienna. She expressed surprise that
Pakistan's position had changed and asked whether this had
come about as a result of negotiations with the U.S. or as an
internal shift in policy.
Ms. Konstantinova expressed some skepticism about whether
consensus would be reached at the Plenary meeting on August
21-22, but welcomed the effort. Bulgaria is positively
inclined to support the exception text for India, provided
India abides by all the commitments it has agreed to on a
bilateral basis with the U.S. Though operating within the
format of the EU is challenging and though Bulgaria does not
see itself as a major player in this debate, she expressed
hope that Bulgaria would be able to act as a mediator and be
able to help bridge differences.
Karagiannis
SIPDIS
ISN/RA FOR TKOCA
ISN/NESS FOR RDELABARRE
SCA/RA FOR JMCCLELLAN
SCA/PPD FOR GSULLIVAN
DOE/NNSA FOR ASCHEINMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC AORC BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: NSG DRAFT EXCEPTION TEXT FOR INDIA
REF: STATE 085948
Political Officer delivered REFTEL points to MFA Senior
Expert in the Directorate of Security Policy, Division of
Arms Control and Non-proliferation Elizabeth Konstantinova on
August 12, 2008. Ms. Konstantinova will be attending the NSG
Plenary in Vienna on August 21-22.
Ms. Konstantinova was aware of the concerns expressed by some
NSG members regarding the draft text, but welcomed
commitments that India has announced under the U.S.-India
Initiative. The best solution, she thought, would be for
India to join the NPT. However, Bulgaria was pragmatic in
its approach and would prefer to see India within the
international non-proliferation regime, rather than isolated
and alone.
Ms. Konstantinova asked whether granting India an exception
would act as a precedent for other countries. She also asked
whether the submission of the "123 Agreement" to Congress in
September would depend upon consensus approval at the
Extraordinary Plenary in Vienna. She expressed surprise that
Pakistan's position had changed and asked whether this had
come about as a result of negotiations with the U.S. or as an
internal shift in policy.
Ms. Konstantinova expressed some skepticism about whether
consensus would be reached at the Plenary meeting on August
21-22, but welcomed the effort. Bulgaria is positively
inclined to support the exception text for India, provided
India abides by all the commitments it has agreed to on a
bilateral basis with the U.S. Though operating within the
format of the EU is challenging and though Bulgaria does not
see itself as a major player in this debate, she expressed
hope that Bulgaria would be able to act as a mediator and be
able to help bridge differences.
Karagiannis