Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SOFIA7
2009-01-09 07:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIA SUPPORTS EU POSITION ON GAZA CRISIS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSF #0007 0090754 ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY AD18FDAA MSI3601-695) O 090754Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5681 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
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
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
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