CODEL BORDALLO DISCUSSES DEFENSE COOPERATION, F-16S, VISA

UNCLAS SOFIA 000561 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OVIP BU SUBJECT: CODEL BORDALLO DISCUSSES DEFENSE COOPERATION, F-16S, VISA WAIVER ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: CODEL Bordallo visited Bulgaria from August 5-8, at the invitation of Parliament Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Solomon Passy, to tour the Novo Selo Training Area and meet with senior Bulgarian officials and parliamentarians. The CODEL expressed satisfaction with the Novo Selo facilities and the level of cooperation with the Bulgarian military, as well as with joint humanitarian assistance projects in the neighboring villages. In meetings with senior officials the CODEL discussed U.S.-Bulgarian relations and security cooperation, and expressed appreciation for Bulgaria's contributions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Defense Minister Tsonev and other senior Bulgarians officials requested the CODEL's assistance in obtaining F-16s and procuring military communications systems, as well as consultations on running a professional military. Delegation members said they would pass the requests to Washington, noting that procurements had to go through proper channels. The Bulgarians also showed keen interest in the Visa Waiver Program. Rep. Joe Wilson said he was working closely with the Bulgarian Embassy to organize events in Washington to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Bulgarian independence and the 105th anniversary of U.S.-Bulgarian diplomatic relations. While in Burgas, Rep. Bordallo discussed establishing a sister city relationship with the Burgas city manager. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Del. Madeline Bordallo (Guam) headed a delegation to Bulgaria on behalf of the House Armed Services Committee from August 5-8. The delegation also included Rep. Loretta Sanchez (Califoria) and Rep. Joe Wilson (South Carolina); HSAC Professional Staff Members Thomas Hawley and David Sienicki; and Congressional Legislative Liaison Officer Terry Laughlin. On August 6 in Pomoria on the Black Sea coast, the CODEL met with Bulgaria's Defense Minister Tsonev and President Parvanov's Chief of Staff General Kolev, and participated in opening ceremonies for the Bulgarian Atlantic Club's Defense Utilization Conference. Also on August 6, they visited the Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA),toured the Temporary Forward Operating Site (TFOS),met with U.S. and Bulgarian soldiers living at the bases, and visited a kindergarten that had been refurbished by the U.S. military. The delegation on August 7 met Prime Minister Stanishev; Deputy Foreign Minister Keremedzhiev; Speaker of Parliament Pirinski, Chairman of Parliamentary Defense Committee Naidenov, Chairman on the Committee on Foreign Relations Passy, and U.S.-Bulgaria Caucus co-chair Kirchev. Military Modernization and Deployments -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The CODEL's main focus was to observe the working relationship between U.S. and Bulgarian defense forces at joint training facilities. USAREUR briefed extensively at Novo Selo on current and planned construction as well as on this summer's exercises. Both CODEL and Bulgarian officials expressed great satisfaction with ever-improving U.S.-Bulgarian relations and our strong partnership in the war on terrorism. Deputy FM Keremedzhiev stated that Bulgaria has been a sustainable partner on terror and that "U.S. concerns are Bulgaria's concerns." Members of Parliament noted that Bulgaria has kept defense spending above 2% and had increased its deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, straining its capacity, especially as Bulgaria is still in a process of transition and transformation and faces substantive economic and social challenges. They also underscored a deep sense in Parliament for a full-fledged commitment to the fight against terror. ¶4. (SBU) Bulgarian officials noted that their country's geographic location was strategically important, particularly given continuing insecurity in the region. Defense Minister Tsonev, the President's chief of cabinet General Kolev and Speaker Pirinsky engaged the CODEL on the possibility of obtaining low or no cost F-16's to upgrade its aging combat air force fleet and meet national and NATO requirements. Minister Tsonev stressed the importance Bulgaria attaches to a close strategic partnership with the U.S. that F-16's would further cement. PM Stanishev, Speaker Pirinsky and DefMin Tsonev each highlighted Bulgaria's tender for the C4 communications project, noting several U.S. firms are in the hunt. MPs stressed that Bulagria is open to additional consultations with the U.S. on strategies for recruiting and retaining soldiers in a professional military (Bulgaria recently did away with mandatory conscription). CODEL members underscored the U.S. commitment to see Bulgaria's military fully equipped and fully able to perform its duties. And they stressed the importance of training, and establishing a firm planning, logistics, support, and maintenance program for high performance aircraft. The delegation assured the Bulgarians that they would take their requests back to Washington, encouraging them to think more about how the U.S. can help Bulgaria build a world class group of soldiers through training assistance. The CODEL expressed great satisfaction with the temporary facilities and joint-training exercises at the NSTA and TFOS. They were also pleased with humanitarian assistance projects extended by Bulgarian and U.S. troops, who had assisted with a local kindergarten and home for the elderly. Visa Waiver -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Prime Minister emphasized the importance all citizens attach to Bulgaria's qualification for the visa waiver program, a sentiment echoed by other Bulgaria officials. CODEL members noted that certain standards had to be met, including a 10 percent visa refusal rate and the introduction of biometric passports. Representative Sanchez stated that within Congress there is sentiment to re-examine the whole issue of whether to have a visa waiver program. Though this would have huge international repercussions, it is still a highly emotional issue at home. The PM cited Bulgaria's commitment to pull closer to the trans-Atlantic community and meet U.S. legislative requirements for visa waiver. Rep. Sanchez noted the 2009 deadline for DHS to meet certain requirements; if countries were not yet qualified, they would encounter an indefinite pause in the program. The Charge noted that Bulgaria's refusal rate is still above the 10 percent threshold and that time is running out for Bulgaria to produce biometric passports. PM Stanishev stressed he has tasked the Interior ministry to move as quickly as possible. FAC Chairman Passy told the delegation he has pushed for a working group and action plan so that Bulgaria qualifies for the program. A Strengthening Bilateral Partnership -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The CODEL and Bulgarian officials also discussed initiatives to celebrate Bulgarian-American relations, tourism, and recommendations for NATO expansion. Rep. Joe Wilson noted his collaboration with Ambassador Poptodorova to bring a Resolution before Congress recognizing the 100th anniversary of Bulgaria's independence. He is continuing to work closely with the Bulgarian Embassy to orchestrate events to commemorate the 105th anniversary of U.S.-Bulgarian diplomatic relations. The CODEL congratulated Bulgaria on its marked improvements in the tourism sector. The Prime Minister briefed on Bulgaria's economic performance and success in attracting foreign investment, stressing that Bulgaria needed to redouble its efforts in an ever more competitive international environment. He highlighted the growing military, security, and economic partnership with the U.S., and cited his excellent meetings with the President and Secretary Rice earlier this summer. Del. Bordallo discussed her interest in trying to develop a sister city relationship between Guam and Burgas. On NATO membership, General Kolev expressed disappointment that Macedonia was not invited to join NATO, but in response to questions on Ukraine thought it was "not ready." Deputy Foreign Minister Keremedzhiev endorsed Georgia's bid to enter NATO. He emphasized that bilateral relations are stronger than ever and thanked the Congress for its support for Bulgaria's trans-Atlantic course. ¶7. (SBU) In sidebar meetings with MPs, the CODEL exchanged views on Bulgaria's domestic political situation, energy diversity and security (with MPs splitting along partisan lines),relations with Russia, and on Bulgaria's response to the critical EU report on crime and corruption. ¶8. (SBU) CODEL Bordallo reviewed this cable. MCELDOWNEY