Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SOFIA408
2009-07-27 11:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIA'S NATO COMMITMENTS ON TRACK IN NEW
how-toVZCZCXRO6983 OO RUEHSL DE RUEHSF #0408 2081111 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 271111Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6206 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000408
SIPDIS
FOR S/SRAP KAREN HANRAHAN, SCA/A ARIELLA VIEHE AND EUR/RPM
AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2028
TAGS: PGOV PREL BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA'S NATO COMMITMENTS ON TRACK IN NEW
GOVERNMENT
REF: A. SECSTATE 74362
B. SOFIA 266
C. SOFIA 140
Classified By: Ambassador McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000408
SIPDIS
FOR S/SRAP KAREN HANRAHAN, SCA/A ARIELLA VIEHE AND EUR/RPM
AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2028
TAGS: PGOV PREL BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA'S NATO COMMITMENTS ON TRACK IN NEW
GOVERNMENT
REF: A. SECSTATE 74362
B. SOFIA 266
C. SOFIA 140
Classified By: Ambassador McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Post delivered reftel points to incoming Defense
Minister Nikolai Mladenov, who stressed the new Bulgarian
administration will honor NATO commitments made by the
previous government and look for new ways to expand
participation. Ambassador McEldowney emphasized the
importance of Afghanistan in calls on the President, Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister and in public statements.
There are currently 475 Bulgarian soldiers in Afghanistan,
including one OMLT. In partnership with the Tennessee
National Guard, a second Bulgarian OMLT will deploy around
the end of 2009. Bulgaria also plans to deploy a 75-person
Role Two Military Medical facility including 40 medical
personnel within the next nine months. In response to
previous requests, Bulgaria has offered to donate six MI-17
helicopters to Afghanistan or Pakistan in exchange for
refurbishment of other Bulgarian helos and is awaiting a
reply on this proposal from the Department of Defense.
McEldowney
SIPDIS
FOR S/SRAP KAREN HANRAHAN, SCA/A ARIELLA VIEHE AND EUR/RPM
AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2028
TAGS: PGOV PREL BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA'S NATO COMMITMENTS ON TRACK IN NEW
GOVERNMENT
REF: A. SECSTATE 74362
B. SOFIA 266
C. SOFIA 140
Classified By: Ambassador McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Post delivered reftel points to incoming Defense
Minister Nikolai Mladenov, who stressed the new Bulgarian
administration will honor NATO commitments made by the
previous government and look for new ways to expand
participation. Ambassador McEldowney emphasized the
importance of Afghanistan in calls on the President, Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister and in public statements.
There are currently 475 Bulgarian soldiers in Afghanistan,
including one OMLT. In partnership with the Tennessee
National Guard, a second Bulgarian OMLT will deploy around
the end of 2009. Bulgaria also plans to deploy a 75-person
Role Two Military Medical facility including 40 medical
personnel within the next nine months. In response to
previous requests, Bulgaria has offered to donate six MI-17
helicopters to Afghanistan or Pakistan in exchange for
refurbishment of other Bulgarian helos and is awaiting a
reply on this proposal from the Department of Defense.
McEldowney