BULGARIA SUPPORTS EU POSITION ON GAZA CRISIS

UNCLAS SOFIA 000007 SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION PASS TO EUR/CE TOM YEAGER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAL KWBG BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA SUPPORTS EU POSITION ON GAZA CRISIS ¶1. (SBU) Bulgaria supports the European Union's (EU) position on the Gaza Crisis and calls for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, humanitarian aid, and the stepping up of the peace process. According to MFA contacts, Bulgaria's deep concern over the crisis was highlighted by the MFA's December 28 official statement calling on both Israel and HAMAS to refrain from using military force, appealing for an immediate restoration of the cease-fire, and urging a negotiated diplomatic and political solution. Bulgaria has no plans for bilateral aid at this time, but is providing support through the EU community budget. We do not anticipate that Bulgaria will deviate from the EU consensus or take a leading role in defining a common EU policy. ¶2. (SBU) Although Muslims (comprising ethnic Turks, some Roma and "Pomaks" (descendants of Slavic Bulgarians who converted to Islam under Ottoman rule)) make up approximately 12 percent of the Bulgarian population, the public has reacted with calm to the Gaza situation. Two protests have been registered. On December 30 approximatly 500 Arabs, Palestinians, and Bulgarians participated in a peaceful procession -- organized by the Association of the Palestinians in Bulgaria and the Council of the Arabic Associations in Bulgaria -- from Sofia's National Palace of Culture (NDK) to the Presidency to protest Israeli air-strikes in Gaza. The participants presented a declaration to President Parvanov, as head of an EU member state, urging support for the restoration of peace in Gaza. On January 2, approximately 800-1,000 people attended a peaceful protest in the town of Madan located in the Rhodope Mountains, home to many Muslims. The Imam of the Madan Mosque read a declaration demanding a halt of violence and military activities by both Israel and HAMAS in the Gaza Strip. ¶3. (U) Comment: With Bulgaria in the midst of a natural gas crisis, events in Gaza are of distinctly secondary importance for the government and the public. In general though, Bulgaria will focus on the humanitarian aspect of Gaza, not the strategic implications. End Comment. McEldowney