VZCZCXRO9180
OO RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHYG
DE RUEHSF #0046 0301209
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301209Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5738
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM  IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SOFIA 000046 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA:  INTENSIFIED COUNTER-WMD COOPERATION 
 
¶1.   (SBU)  Summary.  Astride traditional smuggling routes 
linking the Western Balkans, Black Sea, Turkey and Russia, 
Bulgaria occupies a strategic position on Europe's frontier. 
The ratification of three major agreements in 2008 (the WMD 
Agreement, the Second Line of Defense Agreement and the 
Nuclear Fuel Return Agreement) will result in significant 
progress in counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation 
cooperation in 2009.  We will coordinate DOE and DOD visits 
to ensure a smooth rollout and achieve maximum impact.  End 
Summary. 
 
SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  With the December 19, 2008 ratification of the 
Second Line of Defense (SLD) Agreement, the Department of 
Energy is now free to begin site design, training and 
construction work at the top priority sites identified during 
consultations last year, specifically: Burgas port, Kapitan 
Andreevo, Lesovo, Malko Tarnovo and Svilengrad rail station. 
Construction work could begin as soon as April, with the goal 
of having all sites up and running by the fall of 2009.  The 
total value of all work, equipment and training is 
approximately six million USD for 2009, with the possibility 
of additional resources for supplemental training and a 
second round of site visits to next tier entry points. 
 
WMD AGREEMENT 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Through the WMD agreement, the Defense Threat 
Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the DOD International 
Counterproliferation Program are authorized to provide 
training and equipment for law enforcement entities in 
Bulgaria to enhance customs and border guards, ability to 
detect, interdict, identify, investigate and respond to the 
illicit trafficking of weapons of mass destruction and 
related materials.  We understand DTRA plans to conduct three 
courses in Bulgaria in 2009 at a cost of approximately one 
million USD:  "Responding to WMD Incidents at Borders" in 
February, "Crime Scene Operations" in June, and "Radiological 
Detection and Response" in October/November. 
 
RESEARCH REACTOR CONVERSION AND REFURBISHMENT 
 
¶4.  (SBU) In 2008 U.S. and Bulgarian experts removed all 
spent Highly Enriched Uranium from a training reactor in 
Sofia and transported it to Russia, its original source.  As 
part of the transfer agreement, the United States agreed to 
help facilitate the conversion of the research reactor into 
an advanced Low Enriched Uranium reactor, with training, 
medical and research applications.  Post welcomes the visit 
of National Nuclear Security Administration, Assistant Deputy 
Administrator Andrew Bieniawski in January to move this 
project forward. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Comment:  In addition to the obvious benefits to 
border security, law enforcement capacity and crisis 
response, successful implementation of these agreements may 
have significant positive political impact as well. 
Domestically, 2008 was a difficult year for Bulgaria, full of 
political scandal, censure from the international community 
over corruption, and the loss of EU funds due to 
misappropriation.  The Ministry of the Interior, 
particularly, has come under fire for its past performance 
and is looking for ways to show improvement.  Successful 
cooperation on these projects can boost sagging morale inside 
the ministry and maintain continuity of engagement between 
the United States and Bulgaria as the Bulgarian government 
transitions through an election season this summer.  Bulgaria 
is the EU's southeastern-most border, both a gateway and 
checkpoint for contraband movements.  These agreements and 
the relationships we build will upgrade Bulgaria's border 
security, counter-WMD and counter-proliferation capabilities. 
McEldowney