EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 (BULGARIA)

UNCLAS SOFIA 000093 SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO OES/STC EILEEN KANE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG KSCA TSPL SENV AMGT OTRA APER BU SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 (BULGARIA) Ref: STATE 10843 ¶1. (U) Summary: Ambassador strongly endorses post request for an Embassy Science Fellow (ESF) from the Smithsonian Institute to assist the American Research Center in Sofia (ARCS) in conservation and preservation of archaeological sites in Bulgaria. This position would address a pressing need in Bulgaria and help advance our broad objectives. Post would prefer to have a fellow for up to 59 days in the summer of 2010 (any time from May to August) as the weather will be better for work at sites. The fellow must have experience in working with conservation and preservation of archaeological sites and no security experience is required. End Summary. PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION -------------- ¶2. (U) Even a cursory tour of archaeological sites in Bulgaria shows that many sites are suffering from long periods of neglect and are in dire need of restoration. Restoration and preservation are essential in order for these sites to serve the public in and beyond Bulgaria. Such an expert could serve an important need in advising ARCS and Bulgarian excavators on preservation/conservation issues. Since 2004, ARCS has been dedicated to facilitating academic research in Bulgaria for North American scholars. Cornell University is the host institution of ARCS in the United States. --The Iron Curtain prevented East-European scholars from easy access to Western research, and Western scholars have remained largely unacquainted with numerous publications by their East-European colleagues. ARCS hopes to contribute to correcting this imbalance. --Bulgaria has an especially rich history of archaeological exploration. Many sites and monuments are still unknown to the broader international community, while others are being discovered every year. To name just a few examples, there are numerous Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Age settlement mounds; significant remains of Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman urban centers, settlements, and temples; many thousands of Thracian tumuli; more than a hundred Thracian tombs, with remarkable architecture and artistic decoration; several gold and silver Thracian treasures among the most valuable on the Balkans; ca. 3500 Greek and 1500 Latin inscriptions (many hundreds of which are unpublished),with valuable information about the area's history. ADMINSTRATIVE SUPPORT -------------- ¶3. (U) ARCS has agreed to either house the fellow in one of the dorm rooms they keep for researchers at their center in Sofia, or in housing near their offices. They will supply the fellow with office space, equipped with computer and high speed internet. The fellow will also be able to use the ARCS library and resources. Post will provide cashier, mail and medical services. Post will also cover official in-country travel approved by the economic officer and the management counselor. RSO CONCURRENCE -------------- ¶4. (U) RSO concurrence is not required as Sofia is not a unaccompanied post. CONTACT INFORMATION -------------- ¶5. (U) Embassy Sofia Points of Contact are Sherry Keneson-Hall, Cultural Affairs Officer, (work) 359-2-937-5128, (fax) 359-2-937-5314, (e-mail) keneson-hallsc@state.gov, and Ana Todorcheva, Cultural Assistant, (Work) +359 2 937 5150 (Fax): +359 2 937 5314, (E-mail): todorchevaag@state.gov and Kelly Adams-Smith, Economic Officer, (work) 359-2-937-5220, (fax) 359-2-937-5314, (e-mail) adamssmithke@state.gov MCELDOWNEY