VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSF #0561/01 2281230
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 151230Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5326

UNCLAS SOFIA 000561 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL OVIP BU
 
SUBJECT: CODEL BORDALLO DISCUSSES DEFENSE COOPERATION, F-16S, VISA 
WAIVER 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  SUMMARY:  CODEL Bordallo visited Bulgaria from August 
5-8, at the invitation of Parliament Foreign Relations Committee 
Chairman Solomon Passy, to tour the Novo Selo Training Area and meet 
with senior Bulgarian officials and parliamentarians.  The CODEL 
expressed satisfaction with the Novo Selo facilities and the level 
of cooperation with the Bulgarian military, as well as with joint 
humanitarian assistance projects in the neighboring villages.  In 
meetings with senior officials the CODEL discussed U.S.-Bulgarian 
relations and security cooperation, and expressed appreciation for 
Bulgaria's contributions in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Defense Minister 
Tsonev and other senior Bulgarians officials requested the CODEL's 
assistance in obtaining F-16s and procuring military communications 
systems, as well as consultations on running a professional 
military.  Delegation members said they would pass the requests to 
Washington, noting that procurements had to go through proper 
channels.  The Bulgarians also showed keen interest in the Visa 
Waiver Program.  Rep. Joe Wilson said he was working closely with 
the Bulgarian Embassy to organize events in Washington to 
commemorate the 100th anniversary of Bulgarian independence and the 
105th anniversary of U.S.-Bulgarian diplomatic relations.  While in 
Burgas, Rep. Bordallo discussed establishing a sister city 
relationship with the Burgas city manager.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  Del. Madeline Bordallo (Guam) headed a delegation to 
Bulgaria on behalf of the House Armed Services Committee from August 
5-8.  The delegation also included Rep. Loretta Sanchez (Califoria) 
and Rep. Joe Wilson (South Carolina); HSAC Professional Staff 
Members Thomas Hawley and David Sienicki; and Congressional 
Legislative Liaison Officer Terry Laughlin.  On August 6 in Pomoria 
on the Black Sea coast, the CODEL met with Bulgaria's Defense 
Minister Tsonev and President Parvanov's Chief of Staff General 
Kolev, and participated in opening ceremonies for the Bulgarian 
Atlantic Club's Defense Utilization Conference.  Also on August 6, 
they visited the Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA), toured the 
Temporary Forward Operating Site (TFOS), met with U.S. and Bulgarian 
soldiers living at the bases, and visited a kindergarten that had 
been refurbished by the U.S. military.  The delegation on August 7 
met Prime Minister Stanishev; Deputy Foreign Minister Keremedzhiev; 
Speaker of Parliament Pirinski, Chairman of Parliamentary Defense 
Committee Naidenov, Chairman on the Committee on Foreign Relations 
Passy, and U.S.-Bulgaria Caucus co-chair Kirchev. 
 
Military Modernization and Deployments 
--------------------------------------- 
¶3.  (SBU)  The CODEL's main focus was to observe the working 
relationship between U.S. and Bulgarian defense forces at joint 
training facilities.  USAREUR briefed extensively at Novo Selo on 
current and planned construction as well as on this summer's 
exercises.  Both CODEL and Bulgarian officials expressed great 
satisfaction with ever-improving U.S.-Bulgarian relations and our 
strong partnership in the war on terrorism.  Deputy FM Keremedzhiev 
stated that Bulgaria has been a sustainable partner on terror and 
that "U.S. concerns are Bulgaria's concerns."  Members of Parliament 
noted that Bulgaria has kept defense spending above 2% and had 
increased its deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, straining its 
capacity, especially as Bulgaria is still in a process of transition 
and transformation and faces substantive economic and social 
challenges.  They also underscored a deep sense in Parliament for a 
full-fledged commitment to the fight against terror. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Bulgarian officials noted that their country's geographic 
location was strategically important, particularly given continuing 
insecurity in the region.  Defense Minister Tsonev, the President's 
chief of cabinet General Kolev and Speaker Pirinsky engaged the 
CODEL on the possibility of obtaining low or no cost F-16's to 
upgrade its aging combat air force fleet and meet national and NATO 
requirements.  Minister Tsonev stressed the importance Bulgaria 
attaches to a close strategic partnership with the U.S. that F-16's 
would further cement.  PM Stanishev, Speaker Pirinsky and DefMin 
Tsonev each highlighted Bulgaria's tender for the C4 communications 
project, noting several U.S. firms are in the hunt.  MPs stressed 
that Bulagria is open to additional consultations with the U.S. on 
strategies for recruiting and retaining soldiers in a professional 
military (Bulgaria recently did away with mandatory conscription). 
CODEL members underscored the U.S. commitment to see Bulgaria's 
military fully equipped and fully able to perform its duties.  And 
they stressed the importance of training, and establishing a firm 
planning, logistics, support, and maintenance program for high 
performance aircraft.  The delegation assured the Bulgarians that 
they would take their requests back to Washington, encouraging them 
to think more about how the U.S. can help Bulgaria build a world 
class group of soldiers through training assistance.  The CODEL 
expressed great satisfaction with the temporary facilities and 
joint-training exercises at the NSTA and TFOS.  They were also 
pleased with humanitarian assistance projects extended by Bulgarian 
and U.S. troops, who had assisted with a local kindergarten and home 
for the elderly. 
 
Visa Waiver 
------------ 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  The Prime Minister emphasized the importance all citizens 
attach to Bulgaria's qualification for the visa waiver program, a 
sentiment echoed by other Bulgaria officials.  CODEL members noted 
that certain standards had to be met, including a 10 percent visa 
refusal rate and the introduction of biometric passports. 
Representative Sanchez stated that within Congress there is 
sentiment to re-examine the whole issue of whether to have a visa 
waiver program.  Though this would have huge international 
repercussions, it is still a highly emotional issue at home.  The PM 
cited Bulgaria's commitment to pull closer to the trans-Atlantic 
community and meet U.S. legislative requirements for visa waiver. 
Rep. Sanchez noted the 2009 deadline for DHS to meet certain 
requirements; if countries were not yet qualified, they would 
encounter an indefinite pause in the program.  The Charge noted that 
Bulgaria's refusal rate is still above the 10 percent threshold and 
that time is running out for Bulgaria to produce biometric 
passports.  PM Stanishev stressed he has tasked the Interior 
ministry to move as quickly as possible.  FAC Chairman Passy told 
the delegation he has pushed for a working group and action plan so 
that Bulgaria qualifies for the program. 
 
A Strengthening Bilateral Partnership 
------------------------------------- 
¶6.  (SBU)  The CODEL and Bulgarian officials also discussed 
initiatives to celebrate Bulgarian-American relations, tourism, and 
recommendations for NATO expansion.  Rep. Joe Wilson noted his 
collaboration with Ambassador Poptodorova to bring a Resolution 
before Congress recognizing the 100th anniversary of Bulgaria's 
independence.  He is continuing to work closely with the Bulgarian 
Embassy to orchestrate events to commemorate the 105th anniversary 
of U.S.-Bulgarian diplomatic relations.  The CODEL congratulated 
Bulgaria on its marked improvements in the tourism sector. The Prime 
Minister briefed on Bulgaria's economic performance and success in 
attracting foreign investment, stressing that Bulgaria needed to 
redouble its efforts in an ever more competitive international 
environment.  He highlighted the growing military, security, and 
economic partnership with the U.S., and cited his excellent meetings 
with the President and Secretary Rice earlier this summer.     Del. 
Bordallo discussed her interest in trying to develop a sister city 
relationship between Guam and Burgas.  On NATO membership, General 
Kolev expressed disappointment that Macedonia was not invited to 
join NATO, but in response to questions on Ukraine thought it was 
"not ready."  Deputy Foreign Minister Keremedzhiev endorsed 
Georgia's bid to enter NATO.  He emphasized that bilateral relations 
are stronger than ever and thanked the Congress for its support for 
Bulgaria's trans-Atlantic course. 
 
¶7. (SBU)  In sidebar meetings with MPs, the CODEL exchanged views on 
Bulgaria's domestic political situation, energy diversity and 
security (with MPs splitting along partisan lines), relations with 
Russia, and on Bulgaria's response to the critical EU report on 
crime and corruption. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) CODEL Bordallo reviewed this cable. 
 
MCELDOWNEY