BULGARIA: POSITIVE BUT CAUTIOUS ON NEW ISAF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000158 SIPDIS SCA/A TOM REOTT, EUR/RPM AARON COPE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2028 TAGS: MOPS PREL MARR BU AF SUBJECT: BULGARIA: POSITIVE BUT CAUTIOUS ON NEW ISAF COMMITMENTS REF: A. SECSTATE 31102 ¶B. SOFIA 140 ¶C. SECSTATE 28929 ¶D. SECSTATE 29482 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Karagiannis for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) CDA a.i. Karagiannis delivered Reftel A to the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff and Foreign Policy Advisor stressing the need for all allies to contribute more at the upcoming NATO Summit. Foreign Policy Advisor Chukov said the issue was already under consideration and would be discussed by the ministers soon. He was particularly upbeat on the addition of agricultural experts, as well as the eventual consolidation of Bulgarian forces into a single unit in RC-South. He said Bulgaria remains committed to the development on the Afghan National Army and would look to add more Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams, but given Bulgarian parliamentary elections this summer, a final decision may be delayed. ¶2. (C) We believe the Bulgarians will eventually agree to most or all of our requests: civilian teams, consolidation, OMLTs, military medical personnel and helicopters, but with only three months remaining before elections, implementation will likely stretch into 2010. Karagiannis