Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SOFIA697
2009-12-09 15:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:  

REQUEST FOR BULGARIA TO BE ADDED TO THE GLOBAL

Tags:  PARM KNNP BT 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSF #0697 3431521
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADX00EACDDE WSC8383 611)
R 091521Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6532
INFO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0041
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1071
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SOFIA 000697 

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y //ADDED TAG KNNP

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
PASS TO AMBASSADOR BONNIE JENKINS AT STATE AND JOYCE
CONNERY AT THE NATIONAL SECURITY STAFF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM KNNP BT
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR BULGARIA TO BE ADDED TO THE GLOBAL
NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT INVITATION LIST

REF: SECSTATE 094449

UNCLAS SOFIA 000697

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y //ADDED TAG KNNP

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
PASS TO AMBASSADOR BONNIE JENKINS AT STATE AND JOYCE
CONNERY AT THE NATIONAL SECURITY STAFF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM KNNP BT
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR BULGARIA TO BE ADDED TO THE GLOBAL
NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT INVITATION LIST

REF: SECSTATE 094449


1. (SBU) Summary: Embassy Sofia urges the inclusion of
Bulgaria to the invitation list for the Global Nuclear
Security Summit in Washington planned for April 2010.
Bulgaria is an active nuclear power producer and a leading
nonproliferation partner in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, a
strategically important region. The new center-right GERB
government has fully supported the United States on tough
proliferation issues such as Iran and North Korea. By
including Bulgaria in the Summit, we would bolster Bulgaria's
nonproliferation efforts, offer representation from the
Balkan region to the forum, and add a strong and like-minded
partner to the process. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Bulgaria has produced nuclear power since 1974 and
currently operates two reactors, supplying 34 percent of the
country's electricity. Bulgaria is actively exploring
several new projects aimed at increasing its nuclear
generation capacity within the next five to ten years.
Moreover, Bulgaria recently signed two grant agreements with
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
to build a national storage facility for low to medium active
nuclear waste.


3. (SBU) Bulgaria actively participates in international
nonproliferation efforts, and supports U.S. objectives.
Along with involvement in many nonproliferation conventions,
Bulgaria is a member of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA),the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),
the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the Proliferation
Security Initiative, and the Global Initiative to Combat
Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT). Bulgaria consistently and
publicly supports USG positions on nonproliferation issues,
including Iran and North Korea. Bulgarian Foreign Minister
Rumiyana Jeleva, in response to the Embassy's request,
included a statement against the Iranian nuclear weapons
program in her opening speech at the 2009 UN General
Assembly.


4. (SBU) Bulgaria has been a strong and willing partner in
implementing U.S. assistance for counterproliferation , such
as enhancing the security of facilities using radiological
sources, strengthening controls for preventing the
trafficking of any nuclear or radiological materials, and
enhancing its nuclear export controls. Furthermore, Bulgaria
has successfully repatriated highly-enriched uranium to
Russia.


5. (SBU) Bulgaria's inclusion in the Summit would resonate
very positively in Bulgaria, and would serve as evidence that
the U.S. views Eastern Europe as an important security
partner, as noted in VP Biden's October 22, 2009 speech.
Bulgaria's knowledge, expertise, and political will would add
significant value to the Summit, and ensure that the Balkan
region is represented in the process. Having a dependable,
predictable partner from the region would help achieve the
Summit's goals.


6. (SBU) Recognizing Bulgaria's importance in the nuclear
sector, specifically regarding nonproliferation matters, the
Department of Energy (DoE) decided to locate its first
regional office in the world in Sofia during August 2009.
This message is being sent in cooperation with DoE's Regional
Office in Sofia.


7. (SBU) If additional information is needed for Bulgaria's
inclusion in the Global Nuclear Security Summit, please
contact Political Officer Luke Johnson at
JohnsonLS@state.gov.
SUTTON